Giving It to the Bad Boy (8 page)

“We didn’t mean to be dishonest or anything.”

“Hey.” Kiera gave her hand squeeze. “It’s not a big deal. I mean, I’m a little hurt you guys

didn’t think you could tell me, but if you’re happy, then so am I.” She offered a smile.

“I’m not, though, and that’s the problem.” Molly stood and grabbed a few napkins before sitting

back down. “I slept with him, Kiera.”

Kiera felt her eyes widen and her lips part. “Oh.” She had no words. “Um.” She looked around,

trying to think of something more comforting to say. It was clear it hadn’t ended very well. “Want to tell me about it?” Molly rested her head on the table. When she looked at Kiera again her expression was filled with sadness. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

She shook her head and said, “No, no. It wasn’t anything like that. The weirdness between us is

all on me.” She sniffed and wiped her nose. “We only did it once, and it was the single greatest

moment in my life, but afterward I freaked. He’s been trying to talk to me about it ever since, and I’ve avoided him at every turn.” A fresh wave of tears spilled down Molly’s face. “I’ve been so angry.”

“But why? If you guys like each other why stop it from progressing?”

Molly shrugged. “I’m upset because I’ve most likely ruined our friendship. I’ve liked Ian for a

long time, and when he told me he had feelings for me for just as long I let my emotions get in the

way. I should have never let it get as far as it did.” She sniffed again. “I’ve screwed everything up, Kiera.”

“Oh, Molly.” Kiera stood and sat in the seat beside her. She wrapped her arms around her

friend and pulled her into a tight hug. “You shouldn’t hold yourself back because you’re afraid of

what might happen.”

“We’ve just been friends for so long, Kiera. What if I do give us a shot and things go south? I

can’t lose him. I mean, we’re attending the same college for fuck’s sake!” Molly buried her face in

Kiera’s neck and cried harder. Her friend never swore, so the fact she just did told her Molly was

hurting in a bad way.

“Have you actually tried to talk to him about your fears, or did you just run?” She lifted Molly’s

head with her hands and looked into her grey eyes.

“You already know the answer to that, although he’s already realized why I am avoiding him.

On Monday when he tried to talk to me I was still so angry with myself that I lashed out. He really

hasn’t tried talking to me again, and I fear that I have pushed him away for good.”

“You and I both know you could never get rid of Ian.”

Molly offered Kiera a watery smile but didn’t comment.

“I think you should talk to him, get all of this off your chest.”

Molly pushed away and grabbed another handful of napkins. She blew her nose, and Kiera

couldn’t help but smile at the loud, trumpet-like sound.

“You really think so?” There was hope in Molly’s eyes, and Kiera wished she could give

Molly the answers she needed to make this entire situation okay again. “I can’t tell you what to do, but I think talking to Ian will make you feel a lot better. We have known him nearly our whole lives. He isn’t just going to turn his back on you because of something like this.” Although Molly and Ian

sleeping together was huge news, so Kiera was still trying to wrap her head around that revelation.

“Yeah, maybe you’re right.” Molly blew her nose and gave Kiera another teary-eyed smile. “I

said some pretty harsh things to him.”

“I’m sure he knows you didn’t mean them. Emotions can make the best of people act irrational.”

Kiera gave her arm a gentle squeeze.

“When did you become all philosophical and shit?”

Kiera laughed and shook her head. “I heard that on an episode of Jerry Springer.”

Molly chuckled and stood. “Well, I’m going to head out. Mom and Dad are having the new

neighbors over, and I have to act all prim and proper.” She grabbed her keys off the table and headed toward the front door. “But I’m going to take your advice and talk to him, Kiera. Ian deserves better than the way I’ve treated him.”

Kiera watched from the doorway as Molly climbed in her car and drove off. She went back into

the kitchen and picked up Molly’s snotty napkins with the tips of her fingers.

“Sick.” Her phone vibrated on the kitchen counter and she quickly tossed the napkins, washed

her hands, and grabbed it. Her heart thundered behind her ribs when she saw it was a text from Reese.

Reese:
Hi
J

Seeing a smiling face from the big, tattooed guy was a little strange, but it had her smiling.

Hi yourself
J

Reese:
You have plans 2nite?

Just studying 4 my history exam Monday

Reese:
How bout’ we go C a movie?

Kiera’s fingers were poised over the keys as she read and re-read his text.

Reese:
UR makin’ a guy feel a little nervous over here
J

She laughed out loud.

Reese:
I swear we R just hanging as friends. No pressure, Kiera

Her stomach did a little flip of disappointment at his next text. Oh what the hell did she have to

lose?
Yeah, I’d like that

Reese:
I was startin’ to sweat. ;) Pick U up at 6?

I’ll be waiting

She couldn’t help the goofy smile that spread across her face. Typing out a quick text to her

parents about her plans, she dashed upstairs to find something to wear. Yeah, she might have had

three hours until he showed up, but she would need every minute to get ready.

Calm down, Kiera. This is what friends do. He’s just being nice, and probably feels a sense

of obligation to hang out with you after what happened.
She scowled at her negative thoughts. When was the last time she had gone on a date? She reminded herself it wasn’t a date, but two friends

spending time together. He had said as much in his text, to her disappointment. Why was she so drawn to him? Was it because he was the image of a bad boy? Maybe at first, but after talking to him Kiera admitted she liked the person that he was, the one he didn’t display to just anyone. Whatever his

intentions were, Kiera would make sure she looked damn good no matter what.

Kiera heard Reese’s car before she saw him. A peek out the window showed him climbing out

of his car all six foot and some change of muscled, tattooed goodness. He had changed from the

clothes he wore at school, and she could see his short hair was slightly damp, giving the dark strands a spiky look. His faded blue jeans and t-shirt with some design splashed across the chest looked good on him. She stepped away from the window and pressed her now overheated body against the wall.

She had opted for a white mid-thigh length skirt with red poppies painted on it and a white peasant

top that had red detailing around the hems. It was a little more revealing than she normally wore, and had always made her feel self-conscious about her body, but she liked the colors and designs and

wanted to look pretty for him. He knocked on the door twice, and even that sounded masculine. God,

she was so nervous and embarrassingly aroused and she hadn’t even opened the door.

Smoothing her now sweaty hands down her skirt she quickly slipped her sandals on and gripped

the handle of the front door. Before she pulled it open she looked at herself in the mirror. She had flat-ironed her hair, but no doubt the now silky looking brown locks would become frizzy from the

humidity. Her hazel eyes looked greener today, but they tended to change with her emotions, strange

as that was. She took off her glasses and stared at herself. She should have taken her mother up on the offer to get contacts, but at the time she had thought it was a stupid idea. Going without the glasses wasn’t an option with her too blurry eye-sight, even if she did feel more attractive without them. She slipped them back on and sighed. He knocked on the door again, startling her and having heat rise to her cheeks. Here she was staring at herself while he waited patiently for her to open the door.

Opening the door, Kiera couldn’t look at him at first, not when she knew her face was red as a

tomato.

Please don’t let him see how red my face is. Please don’t let him see how red my face is.

“For a moment there I didn’t think you’d answer.” His words were laced with humor, and she

jerked her head up. If her face hadn’t been red before it was now. Damn her genes.

She laughed, but it was the nervous kind.

“Wow, you look great.” She didn’t miss how his eyes traveled up and down her body. Kiera

shifted on her feet and turned to grab her purse. He probably thought she was some kind of weirdo for how she acted when getting a compliment. When she shut the door behind her she realized she hadn’t

even thanked him. There she stood on her porch, being all rude with a face still feeling hot as hell.

“Kiera?”

She forced her eyes up even though she felt like a fool for some reason.

“Calm down.” He smiled down at her. “Why are you so nervous around me?” He reached out

and took her hand in his. It was warm and big as he slipped his fingers between hers and gave her a

light squeeze.

“I don’t know.” The words came out softly.

He was quiet for a moment and finally said, “I’m the last person you need to be nervous

around.”

Easy for him to say, but strange enough she relaxed.

“Come on.” He tipped his head toward his car and led the way. When he got to the passenger’s

side he opened the door for her. It felt like a date, what with the hand holding and the opening of

doors and all, and a part of her warmed at the thought. He got in the driver seat and cranked the

engine. “What kind of music do you like listening to?” He turned to her, waiting for her answer.

“I like just about anything, well, except country. I’m not much of a fan of the depressing songs.”

He grinned. “Yeah, me either.” Despite the car being old, he had changed the upholstery to

leather and updated the stereo system. She hadn’t really paid attention the last time she had ridden in his car, but made sure to look her fill now.

He must have noticed where her eyes were because he said, “You like it?” Kiera didn’t know

anything about sound systems, so she smiled and nodded. It looked fancy enough. He hooked his iPod

up to it and ran his finger over the screen, picking a song. Incubus started playing through the

speakers, and she smiled.

“‘The Warmth’ is a great song.” Kiera rested her head on the leather seat when he pulled out of

her driveway and started down the road.

“Beautiful and good taste in music. I hit the jackpot.” Reese turned to her and winked. Before

she could fully process what he had said he was picking up speed. He reached over and adjusted the

volume. Brandon Boyd’s voice blasted through the speakers, and she was thankful Reese didn’t

expect her to talk. Besides, she had no idea what to say. She was still replaying his words. He thought she was beautiful. She didn’t hold back her grin.

Kiera glanced out the passenger side window and watched the houses pass by in a blur. He

reached over and lowered the volume, and she felt the heavy, warm weight of his hand on hers. As

she looked down at where his hand lay atop hers, a swarm of butterflies invaded her belly.

He glanced at her. “Is this okay, Kiera?” Her breath left her, and he said, “I want this to be

okay, Kiera, badly.” Her heart beat so hard and fast she could imagine it ripping right through her

chest. He may have only been holding her hand, but it felt so good and right. She found herself

nodding in response. He had no idea how okay she was with this. The butterflies in her belly started to go wild, and beads of perspiration dotted the area between her breasts.

“Friends hold hands, right?” The way he said it was low and strangely heated. It certainly

didn’t sound like he was asking her seriously, like he knew friends most certainly didn’t hold hands the way he was holding hers. He glanced between her and the road. She licked her lips, and he

followed the act before looking at the road again. He shifted in his seat, and she couldn’t help but glance down at his big, strong denim encased thighs. Her eyes widened when she saw the bulge

pressed against his fly.
Oh. God.
He was aroused. For her.

“Yes, Reese.” Her words were thick and low, and she licked her lips again, the damn things

suddenly so dry. The way his breathing changed at her low words told her everything she needed to

know. Her arousal for Reese Trenton wasn’t only one way. For whatever reason, the most popular

bad boy in school, in town, wanted her, geeky and awkward, Kiera Sheppard.

He pulled the Trans-Am into the theater’s parking lot and got out. Before she could open the

door he was there, opening it for her and helping her out. She had never been with a guy so attentive to her. It was nice, but strange. After he bought the tickets and asked her if she wanted anything to eat or drink, which she declined, he held her hand and led her down the hallway and into the theater. It wasn’t lost on her that several girls stopped to stare at him, or maybe they were gawking at the fact a guy like him was with a girl like her. The room was dark, and the music above them played something

that sounded like it would be in an elevator. Reese took them up the stairs to the very back row of

seats. Kiera’s heart raced as she sat down beside him, the darkness covering them in an onyx cloak.

There was another couple in the theater, but they were more toward the front.

“Do you scare easily?” Reese was leaned close to her, and despite the shadows she could see

his eyes clearly and noticed the fact he looked right into hers. The light from the screen washed him in a glow, but it didn’t hide the clear interest in his expression.