Dart and Dash (9 page)

Chapter 19 – Garnet

I gave Dash my phone number when he dropped me off last night, and now I’m sitting at the couch staring at my phone.

I’m on my way, dress casual.

What the hell am I doing? I was so confused at this point.

Last night, when Dash took my hand, I couldn’t concentrate on Poe’s words. All I could think about was what his hands would feel like on me. When the reading was over, and after his confession outside, I was even more confused.

Yes, I was attracted to him. That was a given, but were my feelings only sexual? I shook my head, to stop the spinning thoughts and emotions.

I remembered the first time waking up in Dash’s bed. I was so hung over that when I turned my head, I felt every muscle strain. I could see Dash asleep next to me, lying on his side facing me.

Dash’s skin was sun-kissed, and his dark brown hair was messy. I studied his face. His thick black eyelashes, splayed onto his cheek, would make any girl jealous. His strong jaw was softened in his sleep, but his lips caught my attention. Dash’s full lips that I wanted to kiss that very moment.

The pounding on the door brought me back to the reality I was about to embark. I wasn’t so sure about it now.

I took a deep breath and opened the door. On the other side, Dash stood tall in a pair of light colored denim jeans and a gray T-shirt.

Oh yeah, I was definitely attracted to him.

“Ready?”

I nodded, grabbing my phone and purse, and followed him out the door. “Where’s the bike?”

“I borrowed Dart’s car. He and Daisy have the bike,” Dash explained, opening the door for me.

I didn’t ask where he was taking me, as he drove up the on-ramp to the Interstate. I watched the trees zoom by me. I noticed more were beginning to change colors. The hint of yellows and reds peeking through the various shades of green reminded me that cool weather was coming.

“How are you classes going?”

“Okay, I guess,” I told him. “I have a couple of projects I need to start working on.”

He nodded, exiting the interstate. “I’m having that same issue.”

When Dash started driving through the small town of Barboursville, I knew he was heading to the park. There were a lot of people as we entered through the gate. Dash drove on until he found the spot he was looking for: a small alcove with a few picnic tables along the edge of the woods.

“Dash, what are you doing here?”

“We’re on a date.” He looked at me with a confused expression.

“So, you brought me here for our date?”

“It was this or a strip club, but they don’t open until six.” He winked, as he jumped out of the car hitting the button to open the trunk. He opened my door first before grabbing a small cooler from the back of the car. I sat on the bench of the wooden table, watching him unpack the contents.

“What’s all this?”

“Well,” he spread out a few paper towels and put down a paper plate. “I made us lunch because I’m starving.”

“That’s right, you had practice. How was it?”

“It was okay.” He opened the container and placed a sandwich on my plate. Then he handed me a small bag of chips, and a bottle of water.

“And here I thought you were going to get me drunk and take advantage of me.” I teased him.

He smirked, sitting down across from me. “The night’s still young.”

I smiled at his joke and inspected the items in front of me. “So, what’s on the menu, Chef Terrance?”

“I went simple,” he pointed to my sandwich. “This is a gourmet turkey and Swiss paired with,” he lifted up the bag of chips. “A fresh bag of Lays classic chips imported all the way from Kroger on Fifth Avenue.”

I giggled at his overzealous explanation of the food. “Sounds delicious.”

“I worked very hard at it.” He wiped his brow.

“You do this for all the girls you ask out?”

Dash shrugged. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date. Typically, I skip all this, and just go for the ‘touchdown’.” He air quoted his last word.

“When was your last date?”

He scratched his head. “A date? Maybe a year ago. But, I’ve been with a lot of
one night
dates. What about you?”

“I went on a date a few weeks before I left North Carolina.”

“When was the last time you got laid?”

“Really, Dash? I don’t think that’s a question asked on a date.” I took a large bite of my sandwich.

“Why? I asked a lot of girls that question.”

I rolled my eyes. I shouldn’t be surprised.

“I’m waiting,” he stared me down.

“Fine. If you want to know so badly, it was a few days before I moved here. Happy now?”

“I guess.”

We finished eating in silence, and I wasn’t sure what to say or do. I knew Dash, and his reputation, and I knew where this was leading. I wanted sex, and being with him wouldn’t be a bad experience, but I still couldn’t figure out my true feelings. All my emotions were really messing with me.

“Garnet, you okay?” Dash reached for my hand.

“You said yesterday that you had feelings for me.” He nodded. “What are they?”

Dash cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably on the bench. “Well, I know I like you. You are constantly running in my thoughts, and I’ve never felt this way about any other woman before.”

“Why?”

“You’re fun. You love Edgar Allan Poe as much as I do. You’ve slept in my bed twice and never taken advantage of me.” He winked at me. “And you’re real.”

“Real?”

“Yes, you don’t act like someone else. You’re Garnet Bowlings, and I like you.”

My heart pounded at his words. I couldn’t believe he’d confessed all of that to me. I truly thought he wouldn’t say half of that.

“Garnet? You look pale. Are you okay?”

“I danced.” I blurted out to him for no reason at all.

“You did?” I could see his eyes widen and the shock was clear on his face.

“Daisy doesn’t know, but I did it last week,” I continued telling him.

“And?”

“I cried. My legs still hurt because it’s been so long, and,” I felt the tears building. “It was great to be out there.”

“I’m so happy for you. I mean it, but why not say anything to Daisy?”

I scoffed. “Have you met my sister? She’ll make a huge deal about it, and it’ll piss me off instead of helping me.”

“You seem to get mad at her a lot, huh?”

“I guess all siblings fight.” I hoped he wouldn’t push the topic anymore.

“Dart and I’ve never fought a whole lot, even when we were younger.”

“Maybe twins are different,” I shrugged.

“Nah, I think you’re not telling me something.” He pinned me with his stare.

“I don’t think these questions are appropriate for a first date.”

Dash waved his hands in a back and forth motion. “We are friends, and you can talk to me.”

“Nothing to say, really. Daisy’s four years older than I am. When she left for college, she had this great life, and I was home listening all about it from my parents. Then Mom got sick, and that’s it.” I took a sip of my water, as my mouth had dried out from my words. I didn’t want to talk about this anymore.

“I’m glad you don’t want to a lawyer because you’re a shitty liar,” Dash chuckled.

“Hey,” I whined, even though it’s the truth.

“How about I try and see if I can read between the lines? Daisy ran off to college, had this fantastic life of parties, a boyfriend, and friends, and you remained home, alone. When your mom got sick, you took care of her, and you put everything on hold. Am I close?” Dash tilted his head, waiting for me to answer.

“I guess it’s something like that,” I said deadpan. I was a little shocked that he’d guessed correctly. I picked at a small piece of wood of the table, trying not to let the tears well up.

“Garnet,” Dash took my hand. “Let’s go back to my place and watch a movie, okay?”

“Sure.” I helped him pack up everything we headed back to his house.

~~

On the ride back, Dash held my hand. It actually felt nice when he rubbed his thumb over my knuckles. It sent a small shiver through me.

I was glad when I walked into the house, and Dart and Daisy weren’t there. Dash put the items in the kitchen, and then he led me upstairs to his room. This would be my third time in his room, but the first time I was nervous about it
and
sober.

Dash’s room looked exactly the same as last time. It wasn’t dirty, just a little messy. The only difference was the TV.

“When did you get that?”

“The other day. I had been meaning to get one, but when Daisy started forcing Dart to watch
Girls,
I went straight for Best Buy.”

I smiled, sitting on the side of the bed. “So, what are we going to watch?”

“Well, whatever, I guess.” He sat down next to me.

“Maybe there’s a
Real Wives
marathon on?” I clapped excitedly.

“Um,” he looked like I had lost my mind.

I burst into laughter, because I’ve never watched the reality shows that were Daisy’s thing. “I’m kidding, Dash.”

“Thank God,” he sighed in relief. “How about something funny?”

“Okay,” my nerves settled a little. I slipped off my shoes and scooted to the back of the bed. I watched Dash turn on Netflix, and he came over to the bed.

“Sit up,” he ordered as he toed out of his shoes.

“Huh?”

“Come on,” he pleaded, and I complied.

He sat behind me, and he pulled me back to rest on his chest. I inhaled his woodsy scent, and it caused my pulse to race. Dash had his knees bent close to me, and my hands were on his thighs.

The movie started, but I couldn’t focus on anything. I have always been dominating with guys in bed, but Dash was making my head fuzzy, and my hormones buzzed around.

“You’re not paying attention.” Dash’s warm breath tickled my ear.

“Yes, I am.” My voice cracked.

“Liar.” He gently kissed below my ear, and I stop breathing.

He pushed my hair away and laid my neck to the side. Dash’s soft lips touched my skin, and it set me on fire. I squeezed his thighs as he pulled my tank top strap down and continued to kiss me.

“Do you want me to stop?”

“No,” I breathed out. I truly didn’t want him to stop. I wanted to feel him.

“I don’t want to either.”

I pulled my bravery up, and pushed my nervousness away. I sat up, leaving Dash’s lips on my skin. I turned around so that Dash’s legs were no longer bent, and I straddled him.

“You said you had feelings for me; was that just so you could fuck me?”

“No,” Dash’s blue eyes were serious. “Do you feel anything for me?”

My heart screamed ‘yes’, and I thought about him at the readings, his cooking on Sundays, and how his words helped me get on the dance floor, even if it was just once.

“Yes, but I still don’t know what all of this means.”

“I don’t either, but it’ll be fun finding out together.” He closed the distance between our lips, and kissed me.

His lips were soft, but his rough hands gripped my hips, pulling me flush against his body. I opened my mouth wider, and our tongues danced, as our moans echoed in the room. Dash’s hands left my hips, and snaked up under my shirt, until he was under my bra line. Dash gently bit my bottom lip.

I sat back a little and lifted my arms, giving him permission to remove my shirt. Without hesitation, he did and tossed it to the side.

“I love this tattoo.” He lightly traced the script inked on my body.

“Want to see it more clearly?” I winked as I unhooked my bra, flinging it away.

Dash studied my chest, but it wasn’t making me feel weird. He had a delighted expression, as if he really was studying a famous piece of artwork.

With lighting speed, Dash flipped me onto my back and kissed me harder this time. I dug my nails into his neck, as he pushed down on my hips. I could feel how hard he was, and I adjusted my position to feel more of him.

Dash left my lips, and began kissing down my neck to my breast. I moaned his name when he softly bit my nipple.

In my aroused state, I didn’t even notice Dash had unbuttoned my pants, until his fingers began toying with my underwear.

“Wait, stop,” I panted.

“Did I hurt you?” Dash quickly removed his hands from my body.

“Hell, no.” I raised my hips and took my jeans off. “But, I’m curious as to why I’m wearing nothing but a thong and you’re still dressed?”

Dash’s pursed his lips and sat up on his hunches. He took off his shirt, first. If I didn’t know better, I would think his body was photo shopped. I mimicked his pose, and it was my turn to be in awe of his tattoo.