Head Over Wheels (Steamy New Adult Romance) (24 page)

Then I shrieked, or was it another sound that hit my ears, something as desperate as my cry, but distant. I wasn't sure of the origin ... I just wanted the irritating noise to cease. Wanted only to hear our whispers, restless breathing, rustling of clothing I intended to remove. My hand slid under his shirt, ran up and down clawing the smoothness of his back, drifting down his spine, when he tensed.

I opened my eyes to watch his head lift, his chest heave. I heard his throaty whisper, "Shit," escape the grim fold of his lips, followed by a distracted, "Fuck, it's the intercom."

"Let it ring," I panted, gripping his hand firmly, my hips still writhing. "Please baby," I begged, "don't stop." My ragged words echoed from a far off place from which I did not want to return.

His lips crashed into mine, his fingers pleasingly manipulative, but the hideous shrill endured. It tore at my nerves, angered my mind, pulling me back to painful reality.

When his lips left mine, I covered my face with my hands, literally moaning with agony as I pulled my legs up, curled up on my side.

"I'm sorry baby," he rasped, and I was lifted to my feet, steadied, handed my sweater and bra. Had his lips not been pressed to my ear, I wouldn't have heard his words through the onslaught of blood coursing through my veins. "You better get dressed."

My mind spun, trying to comprehend, to recover. The walls were glazed with swirling gray specks, the room itself cloudy. In my dazed state, I saw the pain on his face. The moment I wavered, he reached for me, and as I caught my balance, my body skimmed his and I instantly realized why he looked the way he did. His erection was enormous. I imagined the pulsation inside his pants, and had to hold my hand in place. I so wanted to relieve him, but was forced to watch the ripple of his roomy scrubs as he headed down the hallway.

Pathetically posed – topless, jeans around my ankles – defenseless I stood, a quivering mess in the middle of the kitchen floor, while he answered the intercom.

I covered my breasts with my clothes and hesitated, but when I heard the tone of his voice, I had a feeling our evening would be ending abruptly.

Barely able to walk, I slowly made my way to the bathroom, listening to his end of the conversation: "Hey." His voice, no longer muffled by passion, was kept low. "Are you okay? No ... it's alright. Come on up."

Before I had a chance to close the bathroom door, he shot me a sheepish glance. "It's Vanessa." He sounded helpless, pleading for my mercy. "She's pretty upset." He ran a hand through his hair, repeating, "I'm so sorry, babe."

"Now I know how you must feel," I muttered, before slamming the door in his face.

I
stood in the spacious bathroom, on a cold floor tiled with marble, shaking from head to toe. Shaking with the hunger he'd aroused, and anger. Anger at Vanessa for destroying our interlude, anger with Indigo for ever having known such a witch.

It was the third time she'd invaded my privacy, and her presence, even the mere mention of her name, was getting under my skin. I wanted to pull her into a boxing ring, pound the hell out of her, because that's what she represented: pure hell. I was certain she wasn't the most honest person, and had ulterior motives where Indigo was concerned. I'd known her kind before. And they almost always ended up with either a big payday, or searching for another victim. I hoped Indigo wouldn't be her victim ... or her payday. Could one ever trust another person one hundred percent?

I stared into the mirror hanging over the double sink. My face was so flushed my cheeks looked like beets that had been sitting in the sun too long. I slipped my bra on, my nipples so sensitive from Indigo's mouth, at the mere touch of the fabric, I felt a stir. My chest was mottled, but had quieted. I heaved a sigh, pulled my sweater over my head, and was horrified at the girl staring back at me. My hair was a mess. I'd left my handbag in the entry foyer, and without a hair brush, I faced embarrassment, doom. I would have to exit the bathroom eventually ...

My first order of business was to dab wet tissues around my already damp hairline, beneath my chin, down my neck, between my cleavage. Indigo had done a job on me, that was for sure. My body still pulsed, furious the hunger hadn't been entirely satiated.

I sat on the oval lid of the toilet, head in my hands, ready to break down. This was the rockiest non-relationship I'd ever encountered. Between struggling with celibacy, Vanessa's interference, and concentrating on finals, I was filled with agitation deadlier than the worst bout of PMS I'd ever experienced. Still, I couldn't cry. No ... I wouldn't cry. I was not about to let the likes of Vanessa Whitehall crush me.

I bowed my head, allowing my hair to fall almost to the floor. With dampened fingers I raked through my tresses, releasing every knotted strand, calming the ends that had been charged with passion and angora knit. When I faced the mirror, my hair fell past my shoulders in voluminous waves, surpassing any lion's mane.

Before leaving the bathroom, I refreshed every part of my body, and the ache had abated. I zipped my jeans, tugged my sweater to my waist, pasted on a smile, and opened the door.

Before I even left the room, I heard their muffled voices. "What the hell?" I mumbled. "Why are they talking so secretively?" When I rounded the corner, they were embracing. "What the fuck?"

I heard Indigo say, "I know how difficult it's been, Ness. It's something you never get over." His voice was hushed. Not seductively hushed. A weird hushed.

Vanessa said, "I know you do, Jim. Of all people, you know best how I feel, which is why I came here tonight ... to be with you."

I froze to the floor. "Ness??? To be with you? How
what
feels?" I wanted to scream, but casually said, "Am I interrupting something?" as I strode into the living room wearing a broad smile that strained my cheeks.

Indigo, whose palms had been warming Vanessa's shoulder blades, instantly let his hands fall to her hips to separate their bodies. But Vanessa stood her ground. Her arms were locked around his neck, her body pressed closer to his than I would have done to any friend, including Pete.

At the sound of my voice, she turned, hurling a lopsided smirk over Indigo's shoulder. Her green eyes were wide, her brows arched.

Indigo peeled her arms away, taking several steps back. He shot me a distressed look, as though to say, "Don't get mad. I'm guilty of nothing!" My eyes replied, "Maybe you just haven't been caught ... yet."

Fool. I was a freaking fool. Jewel, when will you learn? I longed to call Pete, have things return to normal where loneliness was bearable. Pete was an antidepressant. His pep talks always made me laugh. I was no longer lighthearted. I felt like a slug dragged through the mud, sprinkled with salt. I felt emotions I'd never believed I'd be capable of feeling. I'd never
had
to feel before meeting Indigo. I wouldn't scratch her eyes out, or land one on her jaw. I'd promptly leave his apartment, my head held high.

"Jewel," Indigo's voice strained as he watched me in the doorway, "You know Vanessa."

Of course I knew Vanessa, and he damn well
knew
I knew Vanessa. "I sure do. Hey," I said as though her presence meant nothing to me. As though Indigo meant nothing to me.

"Jim Jim and I were just talking personal stuff." She fired a sour expression over his shoulder, still hanging on greedily. It wasn't difficult to figure out what she was thinking: "I knew him first and will know him long after you're gone, bitch, so back off."

If holding my breath was guaranteed to prevent an outburst, then I would have suffocated on the spot, rather than display an ounce of insecurity or jealousy.

"Yeah ... and we had dinner plans." My voice was casual, yet full of intent.

"Let me guess, Mexican?" She pitched me a sappy grin.

Ignoring her, I scooped up my bag and slung it over my shoulder. Indigo's eyes bulged. His brows furrowed. "Where are you going?" He moved in my direction.

Vanessa glowed, apparently convinced I was about to concede. Her expression turned from sugar to smug.

I don't think so ...
The fight was on.

"I'm not going anywhere, babe." I sidled up to Indigo, ran my fingers through his hair and kissed his cheek. "Just came out for my hairbrush." I clutched his arm, grinning at Vanessa. "You did a number on my hair." I rubbed my head against his shoulder. Gazed up at him adoringly.

Indigo let out a breath, his troubled expression turning dubious. He drew back, his eyes asking: "So, you're really okay with what you just saw?"

"Your hair looks fine," he said. His voice was tighter than my throat. "Maybe I'll just go and take a quick shower, so we can get to dinner. Will you two be okay?" He shot me a look of concern.

"Of course, honey. I'll entertain your friend." I smiled sweetly. "I'll be right here when you get out." I sent him off with a pat on his butt.

Vanessa looked like she wanted to strangle me.

We faced off in the entry to the living room, where I did a preliminary check of her attire.

Her blonde hair was sleek and impeccable, knotted at the nape of her neck. Her cream colored ankle boots were the exact shade of her spandex breeches. She wore a white linen shirt, and a cocoa blazer.

"Would you like a drink before you leave?" I said, sauntering toward the kitchen.

"Why not ... I have all night."

From a side glance, I watched her check me out from head to toe.

"Nice jeans ... and are those your muddy boots in the foyer?" Her voice was a phony as her smile. "Are they pleather?"

"You betcha."

I heard Indigo slamming around in his room, preparing for one of the quickest showers of his life, no doubt. No problem. Five minutes was all I needed to get rid of her.

Since I acted like I owned the place, I had to think fast. Where would Indigo keep the booze? In the glass cabinet of course, next to the half dozen bottles of pricey wine. Very perceptive, Jewel.

I opened the fridge, which was spotless and neatly stocked, and pulled out a container of orange juice. I filled two glasses with ice, grabbed an open bottle of vodka, and in less than a minute we were sitting in the living room, sipping screwdrivers, chatting like enemies.

"Where's your sidekick tonight?" I asked. I couldn't help but glare.

"If you're referring to Elizabeth, she's at home, finishing the guest list for Indigo's grad party. We're so proud of him."

"We are too." I flashed my teeth.

Seated at the edge of the sofa, she reached down to free the buckle of her boot from a stitch in her hem. Her feet were firmly planted in white plush. Apparently, her soles never touched any dirt.

My eyes swept over her. "Nice outfit. Did you just leave the stable? Where'd you park your horse?" I asked innocuously.

"Out in the alley, beside your tent." She didn't bat a bright green eye.

Only one side of my mouth moved with sarcasm. "Oh, I didn't realize we were neighbors when I squatted there." My bopping head was fluid.

Her pink cheeks clashed with her tangerine lipstick, which she began chewing off.

"They sell marvelous cover up at AMA. Won't show a line or a blemish. You should try it."

Her complexion turned entirely ruddy.

"Indigo says you're going to be a cop? Seems like a perfect choice. You do have the masculine build for it." Her voice rose.

Mine deepened. "Anytime you want to step outside, let me know. I'll show you how close to a guy I can be."

Her neck snapped, but she made a quick recovery. "So, where are you from, Jewel? Some upstate farm?"

"I've never lived on a farm, but last time I passed one, I thought I saw you grazing with the cows."

Her mouth tightened so drastically, she looked lipless. "Speaking of cows, do you shop at a feed store? Is that where you found jeans with an all elastic seat?"

I angled my head. "Speaking of elastic. Are you wearing one of those binding bras for added support, or are you intentionally trying to look like a boy?" Waiting for her comeback, I stared.

Her face pruned, and she started to stutter. "I ... you ... Did you pull that sweater out of a dumpster? Because it's pilling."

"Is that the nose you were born with, Vanessa? Or did you have it surgically extended so you could crawl further up Elizabeth's ass?"

She stiffened and moved so close to the edge of the cushion, she almost fell off the sofa. "I hope you pass the Police Exam, Jewelia. I've heard applicants need to know the alphabet."

"Was that slobbering goon in The Prestige your ex, or are you still dating him? Wasn't that you over in the corner, hanging all over him?" I winked. "Hold onto him. You make a stunning couple."

The look on her face turned to shock, and her mouth went pencil thin again. Had I hit a nerve? Was there really something between them? I burst out laughing at the thought, then wondered if she'd had him deliberately bump into me to start a fight.

"You should medicate whatever it is that's spreading across your chin, Jewelia, or is it razor burn?" Crossing her arms, she relaxed into the sofa, her face smug, as though she'd landed the best punch.

"Brunettes don't tend to bald so easily ... or young." I strained to see the crown of her head.

She huffed and pulled away, then slugged her drink.

"Well, would you look at that?" I said with amazement as I reached for her chin. "What do you know. A silky goatee! And you
are
a natural blonde!"

I heard the bathroom door open, and caught a whiff of fruity steam. I had to taunt her one last time before Indigo entered the room. One way or another, she was going to pay for what she'd done to me ... including any future transgressions.

I extended my neck, my head inching toward her, and whispered behind my hand. "Did you step in something hidden in the hay ..." my secretive tone was virtuous, "or are you wearing an experimental deodorant?"

With slanted eyes she scowled. I was ready to throw up a hand to protect my face.

"I'm a pro, Ness. You'll never outrank me." I showed her my dimples.

Before she could open her mouth, Indigo strode into the center of the living room, pausing before the three ceiling-to-floor windows. "You found your way around the kitchen, I see."

With his hands on his hips, Indigo appeared relaxed, and entirely refreshed. His hair was still damp and curling at the ends. His shirt wasn't completely buttoned, and his jeans fit just right. God, he looked amazing. I noticed Vanessa's eyes trail him from head to toe, then she bristled. Ha. She blew her game.

"Jewelia seems like the perfect little housekeeper, Jim Jim. Your mother tells me she's looking for help." She arched her brows and smiled, acting so serious and accommodating. "Why don't you give her Jewelia's work number?"

Indigo's head angled. Did he seriously think she was trying to be helpful?

"Jewel's working on a promising career, Ness." He winked at me. "You'd better stay on her good side. She might help keep you out of the slammer some day." He chuckled. "Remember when we were kids?"

She glared at him. "That was an initiation."

"I don't care what it was, you've got a record." He attempted to chuck her under the chin, but she jerked away, repositioning at the far end of the sofa.

"You have a record deal? You can sing?" My eyes widened more than the stretch of my lips.

Indigo burst out laughing, almost doubling over.

"My record's sealed. And it was kid stuff. Could've happened to anyone." Her glare turned on me. "What sorority were
you
in, Jewelia?" Her eyes narrowed.

"I hate to break this up, ladies. But it's getting late." Indigo pulled me to my feet and rested an arm around my shoulders. "If we're going to have dinner, we should get a move on." He shot me a questioning look, and shrugged his eyes toward Vanessa.