Forbidden Fruit: Volume 1 (40 page)

“So you think this dress is the answer to all your problems?”

I nodded. “I look amazing in it.”

“I’ll be honest, you looked amazing in pea green. If he can’t see that, he doesn’t deserve you.”

My lashes fluttered. “Thank you, but—”

“No but. You are beautiful. Learn to take a compliment.”

I flushed, unable to contain my smile. I looked up at him in the light of the bedside lamp and sneakily admired his strong nose and the line of his jaw. I was tempted to tell him he was beautiful too.

Instead I closed my eyes. A moment later, he shifted against me to shut off the lamp, and then I was floating in his clean, male scent, drifting off in this new bed in new arms.

Chapter Nine

I awoke curled against Dean’s chest. When I looked up, he was reading a newspaper intently.

“Dean?”

He glanced down. “Morning.”

“You’ve already been up?”

“Just to get the paper and coffee.” He smiled. “You’re a heavy sleeper.”

I nodded and yawned. He kissed me on the top of my head.

“How’d you sleep?” he asked.

“Really well. Thank you.”

“Anytime,” he said with a low chuckle. I let my eyes wander down over his skin and the chest hair that covered it. I touched him gently with my fingers.

“What’re your plans today?” he asked, still reading.

I beamed up at him. “Just to get my dress.”

“When’s the formal?”

“Next weekend.”

He rubbed my back, the newspaper crinkling as he set it down. “You’ll have all the guys at your feet.”

I smiled. “I only need one.”

He nodded.

“I guess I should get going.”

He sat forward, so I did too. “Not yet. First, breakfast. Then I’ll let you go.”

“Okay,” I said brightly.

He gave me a t-shirt to wear as he pulled on pajama pants. He cooked a breakfast of bacon and eggs as I watched. He was relaxed; I liked that version of him. I admitted to myself I also liked the other version—more than I probably should.

After we ate, I insisted on doing the dishes, but he waved me away. He cleaned, and I returned to his room to change into jeans I had packed for my parents’ house.

I tucked hair behind my ear, watching as he dried his hands with a dishtowel. The more comfortable I became with him—with the idea of him, a man more than twice my age who moved like he owned the world—the more attracted I was to him. He turned around, and I smiled.

“Thanks,” I said. “For everything. My spring break went way better than I thought.”

“And,” he said, “got yourself a new dress.”

I smoothed out my furrowed eyebrows and nodded.

“I’ll walk you out.”

In the doorway, I turned to face him. He leaned against the molding, crossing his bare, brawny arms and looking down at me.

“Good luck at the formal,” he said. “If you ever need anything—a job, whatever—call.”

I cleared my throat and nodded. I didn’t want to leave without a kiss, but I was afraid to make a move. I waited until it became awkward and then finally turned. He caught my wrist and pulled me back. He drew me against his chest, and his other hand cupped the back of my head. “And if you ever need
me
, call.”

“You?” I asked, searching his eyes.

“I’d tell you to stay, but it wouldn’t be fair to you. It wouldn’t be right.” He lowered his lips, hovering above me. “It would be selfish of me, and very, very wrong.” He kissed me gently. I meant to respond, but my mind melted when our mouths opened to each other. My arms went around his neck and brought him closer. He kissed me in a way I’d never been kissed before. I was scared for it to end, and when it did, I almost pulled him back.

His bottomless blue eyes spoke, but his mouth remained in a closed line. He looked away, somewhere behind me, and returned into the apartment, closing the door behind him.

I remained there, stunned for a moment, acutely feeling the loss of him. Eventually I made it to the elevator and eventually, I drove home.

Chapter Ten

Gold sequins shimmered into my world, blinding me even from across the store. The dress sat simply on the hanger, calling to me. I clutched Dean’s check in one hand, approaching the dress like a piece of artwork. The bank was a couple blocks down, but I couldn’t bring myself to cash it just yet. For some reason it felt like the end of Dean and me. But had anything even started? Could what we had even end?

I looked from the check to the dress and back. I ran my hand down the sleeve, my fingers skipping along the small sequins.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

I turned to the sales associate.

“Unfortunately it’s our last one,” she said, reaching out and taking the hanger, “and it’s already been sold.”

I gaped at her, my eyes pleading. “Wait—what? B-but, you don’t understand. I
need
this dress.”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. Unless your name is Alexandra and you’re a size four, this one’s taken.”

My eyes widened. “My name
is
Alexandra.”

A small smile spread across her face, and she winked. “Then I suppose this dress is yours.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I just got off the phone with a Mr. Brittany. He said you’d be by—that is, if you’re the beautiful, young blonde named Alexandra.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Yes. That’s me, apparently.”

She smiled. “Then I’ll wrap this up for you.”

“But how did he know?”

“He said you’d ask that. All he said is he’s a powerful man with many connections, and one little gold dress doesn’t stand a chance against him.”

My head was shaking, my lips spreading into a disbelieving smile.

She placed the dress in a box, tied a ribbon around it, and handed it to me in a sturdy shopping bag.

“Wherever you’re going in this, I hope it’s special,” she said. “Because this is a very special dress.”

“I know,” I said immediately, because I did. This wasn’t just any dress, and even she knew it.

~*~*~*~

The bathroom door rattled. The knocking became more impatient. “Come on, Alex,” Chad yelled from my room. “We already missed all the pre-gaming. Seriously. The formal started an hour ago.”

“Okay,” I called back. I swung the door open and spun.

“Holy fucking shit,” Chad said. “That dress was worth every penny.”

“I told you,” I said, squealing.

“Okay. You were right. Trey will be putty in your hands.”

I nodded excitedly. “Does he know you’re bringing me?”

“Nah. I thought it’d be better to surprise him.”

“Good. That’s good.”

“We’re still on, right?”

“Yes. Tonight, my life’s mission—other than mending my broken heart, of course—is distracting Todd so you can finally talk to Elyse.”

“I meant what I said, Alex. Todd may be my frat brother, but she deserves much better than that prick. He’s just trying to get in her pants.”

“Todd’s an asshole,” I agreed. “Otherwise I wouldn’t butt in.”

“Cool.” His face fell. “But I’m serious, we’re really fucking late.”

I laughed. “Fine. Grab my purse, would you?”

He disappeared into the room and I gave my reflection one last look. My blonde hair fell in soft curls over my shoulders, and my makeup was heavier than usual, but not so much that it was overdone. After all, I wanted the dress to stand out.

The dress—it fit perfectly. I wasn’t sure how Dean knew where to find it or how he knew my size, but he was dead on. It was fitted, pulling in tightly at the waist and curving over my hips. It stopped a few inches above my knees. The sleeves came just below my elbows and the back dipped so low that I couldn’t wear a bra. Most girls would be wearing dresses that made them feel sexy, that made the guys feel sexy. But I wanted something different—I wanted Trey to fall in love with me all over again.

~*~*~*~

Chad looped his arm in mine. “Ready?”

I took a deep breath. “Yes.”

He pulled open the door to the hotel’s ballroom, and the music went from muted to loud and pulsing. The room was softly lit, and Chad had to lean in when he asked if I wanted a drink. I nodded, my hair bouncing, my eyes scanning the crowd. He disappeared, and I headed for a group of my friends in the corner. They were talking about Mexico—
again
—as though they hadn’t been all week. I smiled and laughed along as I had been, listening to stories I really didn’t care about. Something had felt off since they’d returned last weekend, but I figured it was my nerves acting up. I hadn’t seen Trey once.

Chad returned with a rum and Coke for each of us, and I stuck the straw between my teeth, drinking quickly.

“Whoa, slow down there,” Chad teased.

I made a face. “I’m nervous.”

He rubbed my back. “I know. Don’t be. You look amazing.”

I nodded and just then, my eyes met Trey’s across the room. He looked at Chad and then back at me, his eyebrows knitting. I glanced up at Chad and laughed.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing,” I said through a large smile. I clamped my teeth together and said, “He’s looking over here.”

“Oh. But so is Elyse.”

My eyes widened. “Shit.”

He laughed too and shrugged. “Maybe it’s working in both our favors.”

I handed him my drink with my eyes on Trey. “I’m going to talk to him.”

Chad bumped his shoulder into mine. “Good luck, gorgeous.”

Everything seemed to slow as I made my way across the ballroom. Even the music faded out for a quieter song. The crowd parted. Trey looked at me and nothing else. It was perfect. He stuck a hand in his pocket and scratched his head with the other, ruffling his blond hair.

“Hey,” he said when I was close.

“Hi.”

“Didn’t know you’d be here.”

I shrugged. “Is it a bad thing?”

“No,” he said immediately. “I’m glad.”

“Are you here with anyone?”

He nodded over my shoulder, but I didn’t look. “Tiff from our dorm.”

“Oh.”

“It’s not like you think. It was just a last-minute thing. I mean, I wasn’t expecting—anyway, you look really . . . Did you get your hair done or something?”

I shook my head. “Not since the last time we saw each other. You know, the day you dumped me.”

He glanced at the floor. “Yeah.” He looked up over his shoulder and back at me. “What’s the deal with Chad? You here with him?”

“Maybe.”

“Would he care if we danced?”

I held my arms open, and his slipped around me. His cologne was familiar as my cheek rested against his. Dean’s arms when he’d picked me up seemed solid, like they’d never, ever drop me. Trey’s were nice too, resting around my waist.

“How was Mexico?” I asked.

He shrugged. “It was cool. Lots of drinking.”

“Did you hook up with anyone?”

He laughed near my ear. “Geez, Alex. We were broken up.”

“Were?”

“Yeah, I hooked up with a couple girls. No one in our group, just girls from other schools.”

“Oh.”

“But it made me miss you.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Like, you’re . . . different—from them.”

“What are you saying, Trey?” I asked, my heart speeding.

He pulled back and looked between us at our feet. “Are you? Here with Chad?”

I shook my head.

“Maybe we could go somewhere and talk. I got a room upstairs.”

“For you and Tiff?” I asked, stepping away.

“No, no,” he said, grasping my forearm and coaxing me back. “Just, like, to have it. Just in case.”

My eyes narrowed on him. “Okay,” I said hesitantly. I wanted that time with him, even if it was meant for someone else. “Let’s go.”

“Great.” He kissed me on the cheek. His hand slid into mine. We walked to the elevator, and he fished in his back pocket for the keycard.

“I know I said I wanted space,” he said. We watched the numbers tick off as we ascended. “But obviously I still love you.”

The elevator doors opened with a ding. I followed him to the room, clutching my purse, walking behind him slightly.

I recognized Duncan, one of his frat brothers, when he appeared around the corner, barreling toward us.

“Richards,” he yelled belligerently. “You bastard. It’s not even nine o’clock, and you’re already getting some ass.”

Trey’s laugh echoed through the otherwise quiet hallway. He slid the keycard from the slot and pushed the door open. “Fuck off, D. This is my girlfriend.”

Duncan nodded at me, his body wavering. “No shit, you think I don’t know Alex? Listen, you two, make sure you use protection. Think I got a—” His eyes went blurry as he patted his pockets. “Got a Trojan or something—”

Trey rolled his eyes. “Dude. It’s a frat party. You think I don’t have condoms? I’m not a fucking idiot.”

Duncan pointed at Trey. “You still owe me a drink, you bastard.”

“The drinks are free.”

“I don’t give a fuck. You owe me.”

“Fine,” Trey said, laughing again. “We’ll see you downstairs in a little bit.”

Trey ushered me in the room after smacking Duncan on the back.

He fumbled for the light switch, then seemed to change his mind and headed for the lamp, turning on the single low light. I watched him as he ran a hand through his hair.

“You didn’t miss much in Mexico,” he said. “Just a lot of that kind of shit.”

I imagined several Duncans and Treys running around the dingy bars, sand raining from their hair while they danced with girls in skimpy tops.

He crossed the room to me and swept my hair over my shoulder. He finally looked me in the eyes long and hard. There was something missing from that look, but it was no different than any look he’d ever given me. It hit me that it wasn’t the way I wanted to be looked at—and that maybe I’d been wrong these last couple weeks about what I needed.

He leaned in and touched his lips to mine.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“I don’t know. You look so good. I just felt like kissing you.”

“We came up here to talk.”

“Come on. You’re not that naïve.”

No, I wasn’t. I knew why I was here. I sighed deeply and ran my hands over his biceps. “Does this mean we’re back together?”

He rested his forehead against mine. “Yeah. Let’s try this again, Alex. If you want.”

He kissed me harder this time, pressing his tongue between my lips. He tasted minty and cool, and a little like beer. My eyebrows
wrinkled as his arms tightened around my waist, his tongue delving deeper.

I stepped back from him and turned around. He unzipped the dress halfway, and I wiggled my backside.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Touch me,” I said.

“I am.”

“Lower.”

His hands moved down and stopped. “What do you want me to do?”
“What do
you
want to do?”

“Um.” He rubbed the curve of my ass, then squeezed. “Jesus, this dress is scratchy.”

“Spank me,” I said suddenly, growing frustrated. “Please? Would you spank me?”

“Uh. No?”

I glared at him over my shoulder.

“Yes?” he corrected. “You want me to?”

“Why else would I ask?”

“It’s just . . . you’ve never asked me to—you don’t even like when I pull your hair.”

“I don’t?”

“I did once. You told me to told me to stop.”

I was searching my memory when his palm landed gently on ass cheek. I looked over my shoulder at him. He was laughing silently.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “This just doesn’t seem like you.”

I straightened my back and turned around, crossing my arms. “It’s a new dress,” I said, glancing down. “That’s what’s different.”

“Yeah, it’s a nice dress. Really . . . shiny. I told you, you look good. More than good.”

“More than good?” I repeated, cringing.

He threw up his arms. “What do you want from me? I thought you wanted to get back together. You were pissed when we broke up. Your roommate told me you cried for days.”

I nodded. “You’re right. This is exactly what I wanted.” I looked down at my dress again. If I listened hard, I could still hear the music thumping from the ground floor. Here was Trey, wanting to make me whole again. But somewhere over the past two weeks, I’d already put myself back together. Or someone else had.

“Dean,” I said softly.

“What?” Trey asked.

“I have to go,” I said, turning away.

“Alex—wait.”

I walked to the hotel room door and then paused. I looked back at Trey.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have broken up with you, and I shouldn’t have told you about those other girls. Really—I want this.”