Inspire (21 page)

“So, you and the girls are going to have a day out tomorrow?” he asked changing the subject. There was no way I was going to let him get off that easily. There was something to this Cora girl that he wasn’t sharing and I wanted to get to the bottom of it.

“Hey Mister Avoidance. What’s up? Why does the subject of this Cora girl make your cheeks red?” I asked, rubbing the side of his face that was now bright pink.

“Shit, I knew this was going to come out sooner or later,” he said, looking at me and pausing. I shifted in front of him sitting up to brace myself for what was coming next. I didn’t get a good feeling, and wanted to make sure I could see his eyes fully as he spoke. “She’s…” he paused not saying anything while he searched my eyes, and then continued, “my ex-girlfriend,” he said. I collapsed against his chest so he wouldn’t see my pained expression.

I looked away as the twinge of jealousy hit my stomach. I wasn’t surprised to learn that one of his ex-girlfriends had been someone he met here, but for some reason I was still finding myself to be insanely jealous at the fact. “So, is she the girl that you dated for two years?” I asked, trying to get the facts so I could quickly get over my issue. Besides, I wanted to understand what caused them to break up because I truly didn’t want to repeat the behavior that had led to their demise.

“Yes,” Travis stated, looking at the fire. I could tell that he was uncomfortable talking about her, but I really wanted the scoop.

“So, why’d you break up?” I asked playfully so he would be more comfortable talking to me about it.

“She and I just didn’t fit. There is a list of reasons but the biggies are: she was way too self-absorbed, which doesn’t make her a very caring girlfriend or friend. Everything was always about her, and if it wasn’t, then she would pick fights. She was also an extreme flirt and I’m sure brought on a lot of the Corey stuff herself. She definitely didn’t mind all of the attention he gave her, and always did things for more.”

I didn’t know the girl, but knew that I wouldn’t like her. All I could say was, “Well, her loss is my gain.” I leaned in to give him a kiss wanting to remind him of my desire for him and show him that he was the only one I was interested in flirting with.

“I am yours, Paige,” he said, speaking into my mouth.

When we finally came up for air, Travis had a puzzled look on his face. “What’s up? I asked.

“So what about you? Who have you dated in the past?”

“No one worth mentioning. Even the guy that was my first isn’t worth discussing. Then for the last year and a half, I’ve been single.”

“No way! Paige, you are too damn gorgeous not to have every guy in the state of New York knocking at your door begging for a date. So there is something you’re not telling me,” he said, holding me back and searching my eyes for the truth. I wanted to be open with him, so I shared.

“I had a crush on this guy named Jared, and couldn’t get past it. So I turned down everyone else while I waited for him,” I admitted, looking up at him for his expression. I could see it in his eyes, and knew what was coming next.

“So, do you still have a thing for this Jared guy?”

“Travis, I love you. I have never told anyone that before, and I can assure you that I have never felt this way for anyone, not even Jared. So, No! I absolutely do not still have a crush on him. In fact, since the night I met you, all thoughts of Jared have ceased to exist,” I said, reaching up to kiss his cheek.

“But do you think that if he had asked you out then those feelings would have been there with him?” His jealousy was cute and I could tell that he cared.

“No. I doubt that I could have these feelings for anyone else. Besides, Jared had his chance and didn’t take it, which allowed you to come in and claim my heart. Now, I am totally and utterly smitten and have no interest in what the other boys think,” I said, trying to reassure him.

I climbed up onto his lap straddling him, so that we could be face to face. “Travis I love you! I’m yours and only yours,” I said, kissing his lips gently between each word.

“All I can say is this Jared guy is an idiot and thank goodness for that, because his ignorance is my gain,” he stated and then grabbed my cheeks and pulled me in for an extremely passionate kiss that made my center respond. His body reacted the same and I felt him between my legs. I was ready to be his in every way, but just had one last question for him before we took things all the way.

“So now that I’ve been initiated into the group, does this mean we are going to tell people about us?”

Travis looked away from me studying the fire, and his response bothered me. I didn’t think he would need time to answer. I figured it would be an immediate “Yes!” I waited patiently though for his answer before I reacted. “Given all the Corey and Britney stuff that just went down, I think we should wait a couple of days. I don’t want to rub our new relationship in Britney’s face, nor do I want any of the girls snubbing you again. So, let’s just ride the wave,” he suggested.

Although I could understand his reasoning, kind of, I felt like the timing of when we told everybody didn’t really matter. “Don’t you think that if we wait, they will be mad that we didn’t feel comfortable being open with them? After all, both Ashley and Britney were open with me last night and today, so I want to make sure I am with them. Besides, I think they will understand why we kept things on the down low. They both openly admitted that they had tried to push me away at first. After all, you said they like me!” I said, kissing his cheek and giving him my puppy dog face.

I really hated that we couldn’t be open with our relationship especially since these feelings were so intense. I was excited to be in love and wanted to share it with everyone.

“I think we should give it a few days,” he said, kissing my cheek, and trailing kisses down to my neck.

“Travis. What difference does a few days make?” I asked, pulling back from him.

“Paige, it just gives us some time while all of the dust settles. Besides, didn’t you like sneaking around with me today?” he said, trailing kisses over my collarbone while his hands lightly ran down the sides of my body to cup my bottom.

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean that I like being your little secret girlfriend that you keep tucked away. I want you to be proud to show me off to everyone,” I stated, standing firm on my opinion and my mission.

“I am. Things will settle down around here and then we can ruffle the feathers or the sheets; whatever you prefer,” he said, flipping me onto my back.

I was irritated by his brush off, and the fact that he was trying to seduce me into agreeing with him. “No,” I said, shuffling out from underneath his hold and sitting up.

“Paige,” he said, taking my hand. “I love you. This has nothing to do with that. Will you please just give me a few more days?”

“Fine. You can have a few more days, but in the meantime you are not allowed to touch me. As long as everyone thinks that we are just friends, we are going to behave like friends,” I said, shifting myself farther away from him so that I could maintain enough distance to resist temptation.

It’s not what I wanted, but I didn’t want to be kept a secret, and boys are led around by their penises so I figured it wouldn’t be long before Travis caved.

“Really?” he asked, doubting my declaration.

“Yes. Really!” I stated, crossing my arms. “As long as you want to hide what we have like an embarrassing secret, then that is how long you will have to wait to put your hands on me.”

“I’m not embarrassed by you,” he stated, shifting right in front of me.

“I feel strongly about this, Travis. We can behave like friends as long as that is what everyone believes we are.” I stood up ready for him to take me back to my RV because I knew that if I stayed I would be caving myself, and he would get his cake and eat it too.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“Can you walk me back? I want to go back,” I said.

“Paige,” he said, standing and taking my hand. Then he paused and thought twice before speaking. “Well, friends hold hands, so can I at least hold your hand as I walk you back?” I was hoping for a different response. One that sounded more like, let’s run back so that I can tell everyone and shout it to the world that you’re mine because there is no way I will go a day without your kisses, but instead he was settling for non-contact. My heart sank even though it was my brilliant idea.

Chapter 19

Ashley sent me a text telling me to meet her and Britney up at the front of the grounds in an hour and a half for our morning excursion. I had just gotten back from an early run, so I desperately needed a shower. After the way things played out with Travis last night, I’d found myself unable to sleep much and had gotten up before my parents. My mom was now using the bathroom to get ready, so I knew it would be a while before I had access to it. Since things were now resolved with everyone I figured it would be safe if I showered up in the main building. I grabbed my clothes for the day, which consisted of jean shorts and a light pink button down shirt with three quarter length sleeves and then headed up the path to the front.

As I was walking up the road with my gear in hand, I saw Travis and his mom talking. Travis looked like he too had just gotten done with his morning workout. He was in his black sweat pants with a black t-shirt that was clinging to his body with sweat. The definition of his abs showed through the fabric and I found myself thinking some very inappropriate thoughts for this hour of the day. It was probably the fact that I had to resist his advances last night and my desire to kiss him goodnight, which was making my sexual senses hyperaware.

“Good morning Paige,” Lucille called, waving me over to their campsite.

“Good morning,” I said, making my way towards them. Travis turned to look at me when he heard his mom, and greeted me with a warm smile.

“Hey! Did you just get done with your run?” he asked.

“Yes, did you go for a row this morning?” I returned the question.

“Yeah. The water was calm.”

“Are you going up to the main building to shower Paige?” Lucille asked, interrupting our stares.

“Yes. I’m going out with the girls this morning, and my mom is using our bathroom. She may be a while. Everything seems to take three times as long in that little space,” I said, giggling at the fact.

“You should use the bathroom up in Travis’s room in the main building. Actually, from now on feel free to go there for a nice warm shower or bath. I know what it’s like needing some privacy and space to get ready, so consider it your own private bathroom. You won’t mind right Travis?” she asked, turning in his direction.

“Nope. Not at all. You can keep your stuff in there too, if you want,” he said, turning and giving me a discreet wink. I could tell that he liked the idea.

“Okay thanks. That would actually be really great,” I said.

“Travis sweetie, could you show Paige where it is and get her set up?” Lucille requested.

“Sure mom. I’ll take you up Paige,” he said, leading the way.

We walked up the path a little ways and then Travis spoke once we were out of earshot. “I’m sorry babe for the way things ended last night,” he said sweetly.

“Me too,” I agreed.

“I’ve thought a lot about what you said and I plan on talking to Ashley later today.” His announcement made me so happy, but I couldn’t jump into his arms because people would see.

“Really?” I asked enthusiastically.

“Yes. When you guys get back I will pull her aside.”

“Oh, how come you want to talk to her first instead of just letting Scott know and then casually bringing it up to the others?” I didn’t understand why Ashley was the sticking point in the matter. She and I had already gotten past our issues.

“Because Ashley is Cora’s cousin. I don’t want her to hate me for moving on.” This little piece of the puzzle was bringing the picture into focus. I understood a little better now why he wanted us to keep things quiet. I hoped that Ashley wouldn’t be upset with me on her cousin’s behalf. If Cora was still upset about the break-up then Ashley might harbor some animosity towards me.

“Well, keep me posted on how that goes. I would like a heads up if I’m going to find myself being the target of a bunch of pranks again,” I said.

“I will make sure that doesn’t happen babe,” he assured me.

We walked into the office and up the stairs to the suite. I had yet to be given a tour of the place and was excited to see Travis’s room, well the make-out room I should say. As we entered, I noticed the ‘Do not disturb’ sign dangling from the doorknob and acknowledged the purpose of it right away. The room was huge with a four-poster queen size bed against the left wall. There was a dresser and a desk against another wall, and a flat screen on the wall in front of the bed, but that was it. On the far side of the room, I saw the door to a walk-in closet, and a door to the bathroom. Travis’s clothes filled the closet
but it was definitely large enough to house mine too
I thought, remembering his plan for next summer where we would share the room.

The bathroom had a large jetted tub, a walk-in shower, and a double vanity. It was so spacious and surprisingly clean. For a guy, Travis was really neat. I was excited to have access to the bathroom, and would definitely find myself using the bath. I smiled at the thought that hopefully Travis and I would use the bath together at some point.

“So this is the place,” Travis said. “These drawers are empty if you want to keep your stuff in here. Nobody will bother it,” he added, pulling the empty ones open.

“Thanks. This is really great Travis. I’m excited that I will get to have a decent shower.”

“Do you want me to join you?” he asked, waggling his eyebrows while coming to stand behind me. He was staring seductively at my reflection in the mirror, and his expression made me flutter. I really wanted to take him up on his offer, but also wanted to maintain my ground.

“Oh, no you don’t, mister. I am still sticking to what I said last night, and I’m pretty sure friends don’t shower together,” I said, shaking my head at him.