The Final Temptation (3 page)

He grunts. “Fuck that! Like I want to be around a bunch of pigs.” I tense, taking offense to that term. The only reason he doesn’t like cops is because he deals with them often over his alleged little side business. The asshole’s only savior is his dad, who’s a high profile lawyer. Most of the girls in our school play up to him because of his money and status, when in reality he’s nothing but an arrogant jerk. “I’m actually here to meet up with Scott, but since I saw you two beautiful ladies sitting here I decided to personally invite you to this.” He hands each of us a printed postcard.

I read it and see it’s an invitation to a party this coming weekend in the next town over. “A party in Callingwood?” I ask.

“Yup, and it’s not just any party, it’s going to be the party of the century. We are combining the graduates of Sunset Bay along with Callingwood and throwing one hell of a farewell party to the life of high school. My buddy’s parents own some land buried in the bush, that’s where it’s being held. There will be kegs, music, a bonfire and best of all—me.” He gestures to himself in arrogance.

I roll my eyes, but have to admit it sounds fun. Well, except for the part that he’s going to be there. Suddenly, I feel Mark tense next to me. I glance up to see his face pale as he stares at something ahead. I look over to where his attention is and see Jaxson striding toward us with a look of intent to kill.

“That’s my cue, ladies. I’ll see you this weekend,” he says, then hightails his ass down the back of the bleachers, avoiding trouble altogether.

Jaxson makes his way over, looking pissed.
Yeah right, the asshole hasn’t laid claim. Just look at the way Mark hightailed it out of here.

“Hey, Jax,” Julia greets him quietly, and moves over for him to sit next to her.

His expression softens marginally. “Hey, Jules.” He gives her the usual kiss on her forehead then takes the seat next to her. “Hey, Kayla.” He acknowledges me with a nod.

“Hey.”

He looks back to Julia. “What the fuck was Mark Stevens doing up here with you guys?”

She shrugs. “He just handed us an invitation for a big, senior class party.”

He takes the invitation out of her hand and reads it. “This is in Callingwood,” he says, stating something we already know.

“Yup,” she replies easily.

“You’re not going.”

I tense, and Julia falters slightly at his tone. “Excuse me, and why not?”

“Because I don’t fucking like that guy. He’s bad news.”

Julia stares back at him aghast and I watch her aquamarine eyes flare with irritation. “Well I’m not going for him. If Kayla and I decide to go it will be because we want to hang out with our graduating class. You do not have a say, Jaxson.”

His eyes turn downright lethal. He turns and puts his hands on either side of her hips, caging her in, then leans in close and brings his face only an inch from hers. “Don’t push me on this, Julia, I’m serious. I work late that night and I can’t be there to look out for you.”

“I don’t need a babysitter!” she snaps.

They stare each other down and I swear you can feel the sexual tension roll off of them in waves.
They seriously just need to get it over with and fuck already.

“Stop being bossy,” she pushes against his forehead and moves him out of her personal space. He relents with a grunt, but we all know this argument is far from over.

Shaking my head, I turn my attention back to the ball diamond. We watch most of the game in silence, except for when I’m cheering my ass off for Cooper, using every kind of pet name I can think of, which ticks him right off. Jaxson chuckles a few times and warns me of the buttons I’m pushing. I just give him a wink, letting him know my intention, and don’t let up.

After the game we make our way down to the chain link fence. My gaze takes in all of Cooper’s hot and sweaty, half-naked glory as he strides toward us. His shaggy, light brown hair pokes out of the sides of his baseball cap while his long, lean muscles and eight pack are on full display. I get the sudden urge to lick every line and definition, wanting to know if he tastes as good as he looks.
The man is seriously one sexy son of a bitch.

By his expression I can tell he’s not happy, probably about my catcalling him throughout the game. I ignore his brooding demeanor and give him a bright, innocent smile. Then I put one foot in the hole of the chain link and boost myself up. As soon as he reaches us I lean over and give him a swat on the ass. “Good game, Officer Sexy.”

He falters, obviously not expecting the love tap, but keeps his expression schooled. Jaxson and Julia both try to cover their amusement, but one of the guys from his department overhears me and doesn’t bother to hide his.

“Officer Sexy.” The guy points, proceeding to laugh his ass off.

I start to feel bad about others ribbing him; it’s only okay for me to do it, not anyone else. But then I remember the ticket in my car and my guilt fades.

Cooper shoots him a death glare and the guy quickly shuts up, then he brings his attention back at me. My heart pounds wildly as he steps closer, stopping when his face is only a mere inch from mine. Reaching up he takes his aviators off, and I suck in a sharp breath at the intense hunger in his gaze. My smile spreads, knowing my plan is working, but before I can think of anything witty to say he speaks first. “What was Mark Stevens doing with you, and why the fuck were his hands all over you?”

I rear back, not only surprised by his question, but also shocked at how angry he sounds. I know he doesn’t like the guy but I didn’t expect him to be this mad.

“He invited them to a bush party out in Callingwood,” Jaxson responds before I can.

I glare over at him, not appreciating that he replied to
my
question. I look back to Coop but once again, before I can get a word in edgewise, he speaks. “You’re not going anywhere near there. Do you hear me?”

I tense at the order. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me, Kayla.”

Oh I don’t think so.
The only time he can order me around is if he’s telling me to shed my clothes. I give him my best glare, not bothering to hide my irritation. “Listen here, buddy, I’m going to tell you the same thing that Julia already told Bossy McBosserson over there,” I snap, gesturing behind me to Jaxson. “If we decide to go to that party it’s our decision. You have no say.”

His eyes turn fierce and his teeth clench until I think his jaw is going to snap. “I know shit about him that you don’t. He’s not a good guy to be around.”

“I wouldn’t be hanging out with him. I’d be going to hang out with others from my graduating class.”

He shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter. Anywhere that guy goes he brings trouble, it’s not safe for you.”

I soften a little at his concern. “Don’t worry, Officer Romeeoo, I can take care of myself.” I can tell he’s about to argue but I don’t give him the chance. “I need to get going, but I’ll be in the hot tub again tonight if you want to join me,” I inform him with a sassy smile. Then, leaning closer, I whisper: “Except this time I’ll give you a better show and take my top off.” A low growl erupts from his chest and the deep, sexy sound of it hits me between the legs. Being bolder than usual, I turn my face and lay a loud smacking kiss right on his stubbly cheek. Before I end up mauling the poor bastard like I really want to, I force myself to jump down.

I look over at Julia to see her and Jaxson watching us with amusement. I nod at her, signaling it’s time to go. She gives Jaxson a hug then follows me. Once we’re a little distance away I turn back around to see Cooper staring at me, his expression holding a promise for retribution, which completely excites me. I blow him a kiss then wink before turning around and heading to my car.

I’m wrapped up in my thoughts, thinking about what my next move will be tonight, when I feel Julia come to an abrupt halt. “Uh oh,” she mumbles nervously.

“What?” I look to where her attention is riveted and my good mood sours quickly when I see Brittany fucking Vail next to my car. She’s bent over, looking in my side mirror as she puts on lipstick. The sight of her has fury rushing through me. Sensing my presence she looks over at us and gives me a snide smirk.
I’m so not in the mood for her shit today.

The bitch stands and leans against my car, cocking a hip and sticking her fake tits out for the world to notice. I stride toward her easily, trying to calm my angry heartbeat. I hate that she gets to me, and I hate even more to know that Coop has been with her, touched her…
Ugh, don’t think about it, Kayla.

“You lost, Brittany? Your street corner is that way.” I point off to the left.

She glares at me with the same hatred that I feel. “For your information, I’m here to see Cooper, we have plans.” I try to keep my cool because I know she’s full of shit. Cooper has nothing to do with her anymore… I don’t think. “But the question is, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you two be at home getting ready for bed?”

I roll my eyes at her lame insult about our age. She acts like she’s ten years older than us rather than two. “Give it a rest, Brittany, and fuck off. Don’t you have something better to do than annoy me?”

“Actually, yes, I do. Cooper,” she retorts with a smirk, making me want to yank one of her lame pigtails right out of her fucking head.

“You’re full of shit. He broke up with you a year ago, and it’s time you move on. Clinginess doesn’t look good on you, though not much does,” I add, taking in her too short top and her barely there skirt.

“Just because we broke up doesn’t mean we’ve stopped fucking.”

Her words hit me like a painful blow to the stomach, no matter how hard I try not to let them.

“She’s lying. Don’t listen to her,” Julia whispers next to me.

Brittany releases a snotty laugh. “Oh she wishes, just like I’m sure you wish I never fucked Jaxson.”

I feel Julia tense next to me, and my fury spikes to a whole new level now that she’s brought her into this. “I’m giving you fair warning, bitch, if you don’t get out of my face in the next five seconds you won’t need your circus makeup any longer, because the damage I’ll do to you will permanently decorate your face.” She glares back at me, but there is no denying the trepidation in her eyes. She knows I’m serious, and for all of our sakes I hope she listens.

With a scoff she pushes off my car and stalks past me, but not before one last blow. “Go home and leave the guys for the girls who know what to do with them.”

I clench my fists and restrain myself from turning around to watch her retreating back, knowing if I do I will tackle the bitch. I stand frozen for a long second and stare at my car, hating the sick feeling that’s plaguing me right now.

“What a lying slut,” Julia seethes. When I don’t respond, and remain still, she touches my arm gently. “She’s lying, Kayla, I know it.”

I nod and give her a small smile, though not a convincing one. I want to believe Cooper would have nothing to do with her, but why else would she have come here?

We both get into the car, and as soon as I close my door something on my side mirror catches my attention. “Ugh, that bitch!” I growl, staring at the bright red lipstick on my mirror that spells out
SLUT
.

“Are you serious?” Julia asks, aghast. “She has some nerve!”

I rip some tissue out of my purse and try wiping it off, but it only smears and makes a mess. I give up and toss the garbage in my backseat, then make the mistake of looking toward the ball diamond to see the whore rubbing herself all over Cooper. I quickly look away, because the pain lancing me is heart stopping.

“If you want to change your mind about taking the bitch out I got your back,” Julia offers, trying to lighten the mood.

I release a slight chuckle and look over at her. One of the best things that happened to me was her moving here two years ago. We always have each other’s back, and even though she could never hurt a fly, I know she would swing her fists and try her best just for me. I’d love nothing more than to kick Brittany’s ass, but the charges wouldn’t be worth it. I have to tread carefully; my dad’s trying to get her dad as a client. But the bitch needs to be taught a lesson… Suddenly, an idea forms, and it’s a really good one. I give Julia a mischievous smile.

“Uh oh, why are you smiling like that?” she asks nervously.

“Be ready late tonight and dress in dark clothes.”

“Why, what are we doing?”

I feel my smile spread. “We’re going to get even.”

I
decided to have Julia meet me at the park late that night, knowing it wouldn’t be smart for either of us to have our cars for this.

At five after eleven she comes jogging down the dark path that’s marginally lit up by the houses on either side. She’s out of breath by the time she reaches me. “Okay, I’m here. Sorry I’m late, I was with Jax.”

“It’s all right. It’s better that we’re later anyway. Come on.”

We start walking toward Brittany’s house and she eyes the bag in my hand with curiosity. “What’s in there?”

“Our props.” When I feel her continue to stare at me with questions I give her a few more details. “We’re going to fuck with her car like she did mine.”

She stops abruptly. “Oh, Kayla, I don’t think this is a good idea. I hate her as much as you, but what happens if we get caught?”

“We won’t. Her place is massive so her neighbors aren’t that close.” She watches me hesitantly. “Look, someone needs to teach this bitch a lesson and I’m going to do it. You don’t have to come if you don’t want to. I will completely understand. Or you can just stand and keep watch.”

She blows out a breath. “No, of course I’m coming with you. I’m just scared of getting caught. Jax will kill me.”

I roll my eyes. “Well tell the guy he has no say in your life unless he’s fucking you.”

Her cheeks turn pink and she bites her lip. “Do you think he finally would if I said that?”

We stare at each other for a long moment then burst into a fit of laughter and start walking again. “He will come around one day. I know he cares about you, you can see it every time he looks at you.”