Rough: Daunting Temptation (Coral Gables Series Book 1) (12 page)

"I'll be down in a sec," I promise and hang up without giving him the chance to respond to that.

I quickly take off the blouse and pants, and put on a white summer dress with a flowery print. I feel better immediately. I feel attractive. Then I take a look at my hair in the mirror. "Ponytail?" I ask my reflection. Then I run into the bathroom, where I quickly braid two strands of my hair and pin them into a knot at the back of my head. I have already put on make-up and my eyes are accentuated with mascara, but my lipstick is still missing. I rummage through my make-up bag, take out a tan lipstick and apply it. After I have dabbed it off a little, I finally leave the bathroom. I put the lipstick into my handbag, slip into my denim jacket, and then leave the apartment with my phone and bag in hand.

When I step out the front door, Ethan comes out from the car and opens the passenger door for me.

"You're looking great," he says when I stand next to him.

"Thank you."

"Get in," he says with a smile, and I sit down in the passenger seat.

Ethan closes the door, walks around the car and gets in. "Let's go," he grins and starts the car.

"I'm sorry I had to cancel Wednesday, but I really wasn't feeling well," I apologize. It's not the complete truth, but he doesn't need to know everything.

"Not a problem. I'm more interested in something else."

I lean back in the seat and look at him. "And what is that?"

"What's going on between you and Delsin Rough?" he asks with a curious face.

"Nothing. We only seem to share a kind of sick friendship," I answer calmly.

"What does that mean?"

"It means we sometimes get along, but the misunderstandings outweigh the good times, and then I want to strangle him," I explain dryly.

Ethan laughs. "I think most girls on campus would like to strangle him, but you're the only one he allows to get close enough to do it. I mean, it does not seem as if he wants to simply get you into bed."

"He knows I wouldn't go to bed with him, even if he turned the world upside down. I totally get why a lot of people don't like him, but really, he's a good guy," I say thoughtfully. Of course that is not the whole truth either, because I do want to experience my first time with Delsin, but I certainly will not tell Ethan that!

"And that's why you're defending him now, huh?"

"I'm not defending him. I'm only telling you what he is like," I start defending myself instead.

"Camille, I'm only giving you a hard time," he smiles.

I nod and sigh. "That's great news." Then I smile, too. "Could we simply change the subject? Delsin Rough is not going to improve my mood."

"By all means, yes. What do you want to talk about?

"I have no idea," I admit, but then I think of a topic.

"What are your plans? The summer break is coming up," he asks.

"I'm going to fly home."

"Where do you come from?"

"Isn't that obvious?" I ask, amused.

"I'd say you sound like a Texan. I mean your accent does. Are you from Texas?" Ethan asks.

"Bullseye. I'm from Austin. My mom owns a farm there," I explain.

"So that means you know how to work hard, how to ride a horse, and all those things farmers do, huh?"

"That's right, even if I don't look the part. I know how to drive a tractor, how to midwife a cow and calf. Had to do that twice already. Yes, and I know how to ride. Farming life is fun but I came here to see something else," I tell him.

"Sounds exciting," Ethan nods.

"And where do you come from?"

"I'm from Denver, Colorado," he answers.

While we are talking about our backgrounds, he turns into the parking lot of the Greek restaurant.

"So you're more of a city person," I venture.

"True. But I also enjoy hiking in the Rockies or spending time in nature. I like both," he says.

We get out and walk over to the restaurant. On the pebble walkway, he takes my hand, which takes me by surprise. We're not a couple, nor are we in love, so I don't know why he does it. Men are inscrutable.

"I think it's cool that you're from the Lone Star State," he says.

"What's cool about that?" I ask, perplexed.

"It means you're a cowgirl, tough, hot ... It makes you even more interesting than you already are," Ethan says with a wide smile and holds the door open for me.

The waiter greets us.

"Good evening. I reserved a table for Black," Ethan says.

"Yes, sir."

He takes us to our table. The place is pretty. Columns that remind me of Greek temples embellish the booths. Greek art decorates the walls, and the music sounds quite traditional to me. I like it. Ethan and I sit down in a corner seat, leaving enough space between us so we can face each other.

The waiter hands us the menus. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Yes," Ethan says. "We'll take a bottle of Chardonnay."

White wine? I've never had white wine before. I hope I won't get tipsy.

"I'd like a glass of water with that," I chime in.

"We'll take a bottle of water, too," Ethan tells the waiter, who disappears with a nod.

Then Ethan looks at me. "I hope you like white wine."

"I don't know. This is my debut, because I've never had it before," I explain.

He smiles at me. "You'll like it."

"I hope so."

Then we study the menu, and I fancy the mixed grill plate, but as it is expensive - and probably way too much food - I go on reading the alternatives.

"Mixed grill sounds good to me," Ethan says.

"Yes, I thought so, too, but I know I cannot eat that alone," I smile.

"How about one of those for two people?"

"Okay."

The waiter brings wine and water, fills our glasses and takes our order. Then he vanishes again.

"Here's to you, Camille," Ethan says as he raises his wine glass.

I blush as I raise mine. "To a wonderful evening," I say. "I prefer that. Don't toast to me."

He gives me a broad smile. "To you and a wonderful evening."

His gaze is suddenly so intense that my nipples harden, which makes me feel very uncomfortable. Thank god I am wearing a padded bra, or I would feel so awkward.

"You know I think you are damn pretty, Camille?" Ethan asks after we have both taken a few sips.

"Now I do," I stammer, taking another sip for want of something cleverer to say. With those words, the evening has turned into an awkward mess, at least for me. I can't think of anything else to say, don't know what to do, and my appetite has vanished completely.

***

After an evening of forced smiles and discomfort, we are sitting in the car again. Ethan has told me a lot about himself, for example that his father works for Qwest. That's a telecommunications company with its main branch in Denver. His mother is a housewife, and he has two older sisters as well as three younger brothers. I immediately forgot their names again. My brain shuts down and I tune out when I am bombarded with too much boring input. Of course he wanted to know everything about me, too, but I did not talk that much. I don't see myself or my life as particularly interesting, and I abhor telling people about myself. I know what most people see in me. Yes, I am naive. I still like Delsin after all, in spite of knowing who he is. And yes, I can be a bit of a pain in the neck sometimes, but only for Hailey, Thally and Ave. I guess.

"You want to go out again tomorrow?" Ethan asks as he parks in front of my house.

I look at him. "I'm busy tomorrow, sorry," I say evasively. Then I get out. He does, too.
Why is he getting out?

"I'll see you to the door," he says.

"Okay." We walk together to the front step and I rummage for my key. When I raise my eyes again, Ethan stands close to me and his hand brushes softly across my cheek. "Ethan, I ..." I turn my head away with a sigh.

"Yes?" he insists.

"It was a nice evening. I really enjoyed it, even though it was awkward in the middle," I explain with a smile on my lips.

He smiles back at me. "May I kiss you goodnight?" he asks softly.

Because I expect a kiss on the cheek, I nod slowly.

Ethan puts his hand around the back of my neck and looks deeply into my eyes as I lean back my head.

Then he bends down and kisses me, but not on the cheek. His lips press against mine. At first, I am swamped and don't know what to do. I am just standing there, before I kiss him back tentatively, hoping that it will pass quickly that way. Suddenly he pushes me against the wall. I squeeze my eyes shut because that hurts. I try to push him away, but he leans in and doesn't seem to want to let me go. Ethan shoves his tongue into my mouth, and at the same time, his hand grabs my breast and squeezes hard.

"Ethan," I gasp and turn my head to the side.

"What?" he asks breathlessly.

"Stop it," I say in my small voice. "I don't want this."

He strokes my breast, no sign of stopping. "I thought you enjoyed the evening," he murmurs.

"But that doesn't mean it's a ticket into my bedroom," I say in an angry whisper.

He doesn't answer, but presses his lips against mine again, harder than before.
Why the hell does he have to be this pushy all of a sudden?
I try to push him away with both hands now, but he is far too strong for me. He grabs my wrists and holds them up over my head. The stones scrape my knuckles as he presses my hands against the wall.

"Ethan," I force out against his lips. "Stop it now!"

And then, he is being dragged away from me suddenly. "She does not want this, Ethan!" Delsin's voice growls from the dark.

Then I see Avery next to him. He levels a withering stare at Ethan. Delsin has Ethan by the collar. "Please let me go. Camille and I have merely kissed goodnight. Right, Camille?" he asks for my confirmation.

"Not exactly, but let him go, Delsin," I answer with a shiver and pull my jacket tight.

"You better piss off now, Ethan," Avery says as Delsin lets go of Ethan.

He nods. "Call me once you got rid of those jerks, Camille."

"No, I won't," I say and wait until he has gotten into his car and left.

Delsin comes a step closer and looks at me closely. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" He sounds worried and pulls me into an embrace.

I hug him tightly and start to cry. I was really afraid I would not get out of this, after Ethan suddenly turned into a horny jerk.

"Camille, are you okay?" Delsin repeats.

"I think she's just got a fright," Avery chimes in, sounding equally worried.

"Get a few clothes for her. I don't want to leave her alone here now," Delsin says in a rough voice. He gently takes the key from my hand and tosses it to Avery.

"Do you want to stay at our place tonight?" Avery asks me.

I am still crying against Delsin's chest as I nod. I don't want to be upstairs alone now, and I am sure that Hailey and Thally are still out.

"You go ahead with her. I'll follow you in her car," Ave tells Delsin.

"Okay." Delsin lowers his arms, but I hold on tight. "Camille, you're going to have to let go of me if I'm to drive you home," he whispers once Ave has gone into the house.

I shake my head. I need to feel his warmth and strength now, in order to calm down again.

"May I carry you to the car?"

I nod slowly. "Okay," I sniffle and let go of him.

He bends in the knees and puts one arm under the backs of my knees, and then he lifts me up. I put my arms around his neck and lean my head against his shoulder. "I am so sorry this happened to you," he whispers in a tone filled with regret, while he carries me over to where his car is parked.

"Me too," I sigh.
Why am I so stunned by the experience?
"You're not having that party after all?" I ask.

"There is a party all right, but not at our place. Avery and I were out to buy cigarettes, drove by here and saw that you were in a tight spot. We stopped the car and came running. That's it."

"Thank you, Delsin," I murmur, feeling exhausted.

Then he puts me down in the passenger seat and buckles me up. I feel like a child, but I don't want to stop him from caring for me.

When he's finished, he walks around the car, gets in and drives off.

We're both silent at first. I look at him and think that I haven't always been happy to see him, but that he just saved me from a potentially bad experience, and that I am extremely thankful for that.

"Why are you grinding your teeth," I ask him, my voice still small and faltering.

"Because I have a mind to go out and break Ethan's neck," Delsin says, fighting for the restraint in his voice.

"He's not worth it."

"I know that. But you are worth it. The bastard would have done god knows what to you. That is so messed up!" he flares. He grips the steering wheel tight. When he shifts gears and then wants to move his hand to the wheel again, I am faster and take his hand in mine.