Love Me ~ Through the Storm (8 page)

“We’re still friends, Oakley.” I push her away because I need some space from her.

“What’s wrong?”

“If I were Quinn, I wouldn’t want my girl hugging on someone like you’re doing with me. We can’t be all touchy feely with you engaged.”

“But things are different with us, Kane.” Oakley takes my hand.

“Oakley, we can’t do this. We can’t be this way together because you’re engaged. You love someone. You promised him that you were his.” I look down at her left hand. “I won’t be that guy, the one that comes between the two of you.”

12

Oakley

Sandy and I are in English 101 together, and we get together and compare our notes after each class. Today, we meet at Brew and Read, a cute little bookstore that has the best coffee. I love studying in here because there’s low music humming and comfy chairs.

“Kane and I are at an impasse. I feel like we’re past just being friends, but he won’t see me any other way. No matter how hard I fight to show him I’m interested in him, he’s oblivious.” I lift my steaming brew to my lips.

“You need to invite him to the Omega party this weekend.”

“Yeah, maybe I can entice him to be a little naughty with me.”

“I bet if you dressed up and turned up the flirting times ten, he’d pop a tent.” She takes a bite of her muffin. “Oh, I know, we can enter the dance contest and you can sex it up.” She gives me a devious smile.

“I need help shopping for something sexy, and learn some sexy dance moves. Wanna go shopping?”

“When do you want to go?”

“After class tomorrow, if you can. I might need some new makeup, too because I want to look hot Friday night. Then I need a nice dress for next Sunday. We’re having a memorial back home for my parents.”

“Sure, I love to shop. We really should get Noelle and Piper to come, too. They both are fashion gurus.” Sandy sends a text. “Okay, they're up for shopping, too. Oh, this is going to be fun.”

“Let’s get this English done so we can get to our massages with Keith.”

Shopping with my friends has made me a different woman. I feel sexier and more confident than ever. I’ve pampered myself all week, and I even got my hair cut and highlighted. Keith made some face cream with essential oils that I’ve been using. It has done wonderful things for my complexion. I can’t wait for Kane to see me in this dress and high heels. I actually feel beautiful.

I told Kane I’d meet him at the Omega House. I know he’s only coming to protect me, but I want to walk into the room and feel his eyes on me. I want his mouth to water. By the time tonight is over, I want him to want me.

“Damn, girl, you look good enough to eat.” Corbin tells me when he gets to our suite to pick us up.

“Hey, she’s a lady, show her some respect,” Keith says, cutting his eyes over to Corbin then he appraises me. “You look stunning, Oakley.”

“Aw, I bet you guys say that to all the girls.” I laugh. “Thank you, guys.” I hold my arms open wide to give them a group hug.

“I’ll have to be your bodyguard tonight, I guess. Guys are going to be all over you.” Keith takes another appreciative look down my body.

“As if! My friend Kane will be there. He’s like a Grizzly bear when it comes to me. He’s been that way since I started dating.”

“Oh, is he like family?” Keith asks.

“Yeah, but I’m going to change that if it kills me.”

“Let’s go, children, we have partying to do,” Corbin yells, jumping like a kid.

At the Omega house, Keith jumps out of Corbin’s SUV and opens the door for me, offering his hand to help me down. He’s such a sweet guy. Why can’t all guys be like him? “Thanks, Keith. I’m ready to get my party on, what about you?” I have to pull my hand away from his because he didn’t want to let mine go.

“Yes! It’s been a long week and I need this,” he says.

Walking into the party, I’m pumped. I’m ready to turn on the flirt. Operation make Kane notice me is in play. I’ve been over my foolproof plan a thousand times in my head

I spot Kane standing by the door watching us. He’s got that smirky smile on his face that I love. He lifts up one corner of his lip and draws in his eyebrows; it’s sexier than sweat trickling down washboard abs.

Keith puts his hand in the small of my back to escort me up the sidewalk. I’ve always considered this to be something intimate. I glance at him, lifting my eyebrows. He winks at me.
What’s up with that?
Taking a step to the right and picking up the pace gives him the hint he needs to remove his hand.

As I reach Kane, I see his smile get bigger. “Hey, you,” I say.

“Hey, yourself. Look at you, all dressed up. It’s a good thing that I’m here, I’d hate to have to kill someone tonight.” Kane opens his arms up and I go in for a full body hug.

I want to be his girl and get lost in his hugs. It feels right for him to wrap me up in his arms, I want to stay like this and never let him go. I’m going to do whatever it takes tonight to get him to see me.

“Wait until you see my dance, I hope you like it.”

“What kind of dance? What are you talking about?” Kane asks.

“Tonight, the fraternity has a dance competition for the ladies.” Keith supplies the answer.

I plan on using this dance to my advantage. “All of us girls have been practicing our moves to win this contest. It’s the most sought after trophy of the year. The girl or team of girls that wins this dance off is known to be the most popular on campus.” I don’t care anything about being the most popular on campus, I just want Kane’s attention.

“I can’t wait to see you do your dance. You’ve always been able to move that body like no one else.” Kane holds my gaze with his eyes. “Let’s get things started off right. I’m getting a beer. What would you like, Oakley?”

“Beer’s good.”

Inside, the fraternity has set up a stage and runway for the girls to strut their stuff. I know my girls and I are going to strut ours. We ain’t playing. This shit is about to get real sexy, up in here. I can’t wait to see the look on Kane’s face when I go up to him with the whiskey. There’ll be no mistaking my feelings for him after tonight; he’ll have to see how deep they really run.

“Wow, they have this place set up for a show, don’t they?” Keith walks over to one of the folding chairs in the front row.

“Yeah, I think they’re going to take donations when the show starts for the organization they’re raising money for this month,” I say.

Kane walks back over with our beers. “Oh, what organization are they helping this month?”

“I think Sandy told me that it is the Boys and Girls Club.” I take my beer from Kane.

“I went to the Boys and Girls Club when I was little. That’s a great place to give money. I’ll be sure to donate,” Kane says.

“Do it when it’s our turn because that’s how we win the competition. The girl or team who gets the most donations takes home bragging rights,” I tell both of the guys. “I’m going to get ready. Kane, you need to sit right here.” I walk him over to the chair he needs to be in while I’m dancing.

“Okay, I’ll be watching for you, Oak. Do me proud.”

“I’m going to do more than do you proud, Kane. I’m going to do you fucking sexy.” I turn and leave him with his mouth open.

It’s finally our turn to dance. I’m out first since I’m the main dancer and the other girls are my backup. We start out with a slow sway while we are taking the stage. We all have on short, black silk robes and sexy lace Venetian masks. Not that we are trying to hide who we are, but they’re hot and give an air of taboo to the dance.

When the song I picked, “I’m a Slave 4 U” by Britney Spears starts, I lock eyes with Kane. The guys in the crowd go wild when we drop our robes after the first couple of lines of the song to reveal our actual costumes—fishnet dresses. They are long sleeved, with black wet-look leather, bandeau bra and matching high-waisted leather panties. By the grand finale, we’ve long since ditched our fuck me pumps and are all barefooted.

I hope this song and my dancing is turning Kane on as much as it is me. I look over to him as I pop my ass out, singing, “get it, get it,” and gathering my hair off my neck, I turn around and look back over my shoulder, popping my ass out to the side again. Kane doesn’t look turned on at all. No, he looks pissed. I can’t believe he hasn’t popped a tent in his pants, I’m sure that I’m wet. I really thought he would find me irresistible. I feel deflated.

Money starts flying around the stage as we rotate our hips and run our hands over our boobs. I start my walk to the end of the catwalk, keeping my gaze locked on Kane. His jaw muscles are twitching; he’s not enjoying this. This is all for him and he doesn’t like it? Too bad, he’s getting the full experience anyway.

I shimmy down to the floor and pick up the bottle of Gentleman Jack. I lift it while I dance and pour, letting the liquor fill my mouth then run down my body a little.

Kane is seething. He has his arms crossed and a tight smile on his face. I’ll fix this. I tip the bottle at my cleavage, feeling the amber liquid tickle me. I’ve blocked everyone out but my target. I lift my chin and give him a smirk before I strut over to him for my final move that’ll knock him on his ass.

When I get to Kane, I prop my leg up on his shoulder to get my balance. He’s glaring up at me right now, but he’s about to lose control.
I hope.
I give him a little push backward with the ball of my foot then stick my big toe in his mouth and let the liquor run down my leg and into his mouth. Kane sucks the whiskey from my toes and the lights go out. The crowd once again explodes in cheers. I guess everyone liked our dance. Everyone but Kane.

I feel an arm reach up and pull me down. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” Kane hisses.

“I was dancing to raise money for the kids. What did it look like, Kane? Other than that? I’ve been trying to get you to see me like you did Lizzie.”

“You’re so much more to me than her, than anyone. Don’t you know that? Go get your clothes on and let’s go. I don’t want all these little pricks seeing you dressed like this.”