The Heart Series: Complete Boxed Set (90 page)

“Honey, like you could even try.”

She frowned at my words. “Please, E, I need a night out and so do you. We can do some shots and dance on the table.” She looked at me hopeful, trying to use the puppy dog eyes.

Purlease.

I was the chief and master of manipulation, I was not falling for that. “I could do that at home.” I did not want to dance on Jessica’s table.

“But there is going to be so much eye candy there,” she added, hoping to spark my intrigue.

I narrowed my eyes scrutinizing her face. “You promise?”

She had better not be lying.

“I swear, we can compare notes.”

Ugh, she knew that was my favourite thing—to share all the gory details on all the guys.

“If that bitch Jessica starts anything I am going in both barrels, so be warned, I’m not holding back.”

“Fine, now quit talking, more eating, we need to go.” She pushed the cookie towards me, and I quite happily scooped it up.

“Yes, madam.” I took a huge bite and groaned as the delicious goodness filled my taste buds. God, these cookies were good.

“Madam you got that right.” She smirked, finishing the rest of her coffee.

“Pfft, you are no lady,” I replied taking another bite. That was for certain.

“Oh my god, you never mentioned Justin would be here,” I whisper yelled, completely horrified. She knew out of everyone he was the one I tried to keep my distance from.

She pulled a face. “It may have slipped my mind.”

“You know he stalks me, you evil witch.”

Oh she was going to pay for this little act of deceit.

“Just ignore him.” She smiled like it was the answer to all my problems.

“That’s easier said than—err, hey Justin.” I gave Brianne the evil eye. Oh yeah she was definitely making this up to me tomorrow, I would see to it.

“Elijah, didn’t know you’d be here,” he added with a grin that told me my presence had completely made his day. I shuddered at the thought.

Motherfucker.

He was like my shadow at school; he was everywhere. He was creepy as hell and had an eye that seemed to follow me. Granted it was a false one, after an accident involving a pen that resulted in the loss of an eye, but the thought alone had me gagging. He was creepy full stop, the whole staring eye only added to the weirdness.

“I might just head over for a drink . . . yeah.” I didn’t wait for B to reply, I was heading towards the busy kitchen hoping to become lost in a sea of people. I somehow managed to snag the vodka, draining the last few contents into a glass, quickly adding some coke. I downed it in one. If I were to survive this party, I needed to be pissed pronto.

“Hey, do you fancy a refill?”

My eyes flicked up towards the voice to find a cute brunette trying to catch my eye.

“Certainly.” I held out the glass, and she smiled before blushing. Oh shit. I think I’d just found myself an admirer.

“So I’m Rochelle, and you are?” Her tongue ran slowly along her glossed lips.

“Elijah.” I attempted a half smile, gulping as her eyes bored deep into mine. She blushed again as I inwardly grimaced. I needed another refill before getting out of here fast. One guy barged past us sending Rochelle flying forward. I grabbed her to steady her, leaving our faces just barely inches apart, her eyes held mine then dropped down to my lips.

Yeah. definitely time to leave.

“E, what the hell? I leave you alone for five minutes.” I’d never been so happy to see B. I was grateful for the reprieve her interruption brought.

“Can I get your number . . .?” Rochelle asked, a look of fear flashed in her eyes.

A loud cackle left B’s lips. “Honey, you’re missing the wrong tools, he likes cock, a vajayjay isn’t going to cut it.”

“B.” I snatched my arm from hers. “Thanks for fucking announcing it to the whole room.” She was unbelievable.

“Oh calm down, drama queen, I’m pretty sure everyone worked that out for themselves.”

“Well she didn’t.” I snorted.

Was I that obvious to everyone?

“Who? The dumb blonde with the doe eyes?”

I scowled at her nasty words. “She wasn’t dumb, don’t be mean.”

“Aww, feeling bad, are we?” she taunted, pulling a sad face.

“Well I think she had a little crush.” I felt bad for her. B always had a way of being cruel at times, I think she enjoyed being that twisted.

“Oh diddums. Did I break her ditsy heart?” she continued with her cruel teasing.

“You are such a—”

“Bitch?” She grinned. “I’ll have you know I wear my bitch crown with pride.”

“Well if the crown fits.” I snorted. In her case it definitely did.

“Come on,” she replied grabbing two bottles. “We need to go dance, I have some extra energy I need to work off.”

I pursed my lips, but she knew dancing was my weakness, in any shape or form I was always up for it. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”

We headed off towards the lounge squeezing by all the hot, sweaty bodies congregating in the hallway. I watched as a couple made out heavily in the corner and felt a pang of jealousy. I’d been single for the last six months and was starting to crave some real attention. The music was loud as we headed in, I smiled as B led me to the table pulling me up to dance. I could almost see Jessica’s mother having a coronary as we bumped and grinded on her precious furniture. We got into a rhythm, our bodies matching the beat so we were perfectly in sync. We became the highlight of the party, and I didn’t have a care in the world until I saw a pair of eyes watching me curiously from afar. His eyes quickly dropped down, which was followed by a sweet blush on his cheeks. He was just too cute.

I kissed B as she grabbed Lorena to take my place on the table podium, and I knocked back my drink for some Dutch courage and headed over.

His eyes widened with each step closer, the rabbit in the headlights look made me smile. I wondered if he’d ever been approached by a guy before. The look of horror he was sporting was telling me not. Maybe I had got mixed signals, read them wrong. I thought about walking away, but then the fear in his eyes turned into something more. I swallowed the lump down and chose to bite the bullet.

His eyes pierced deep into mine, and I saw . . . what, longing? He flicked the blonde hair casually from his eyes, as they never left mine for a second. He was around five foot eleven, marginally smaller than myself. He was lean but looked like he worked out, and I couldn’t help but wonder what he looked like under those layers. He was casually dressed in jeans and a black shirt, rolled up at the sleeves revealing some golden tanned skin. He was perfect in an effortless, laid back way, which only intrigued me more. I inched ever closer, the music too loud for either of us to speak, but the looks we exchanged, there were no words needed.

His smell was almost intoxicating, I smiled as the musky tones filled my head. He was a man after my own heart, my own little addiction was to splurge at the cologne counter in Selfridges. The fact they had the hottest salesman was completely irrelevant, but seriously a guy could stand and drool all day, well, if it wasn’t for the mean security guard constantly moving you on.

I finished the last few steps and leaned in so my nose brushed up against his ear.  I felt him shiver I was certain, and I couldn’t help but smile at how adorably cute this guy was. “Hey, I’m Elijah.”

I pulled back to register his response, his eyes were wide, looking momentarily awkward by the whole situation. I wondered if I should just cut my losses and leave while I had some dignity. I’d never been shot down before but there was always a first time for everything I supposed.

He must have registered my look of uncertainty, as I pulled away, his hand encircled mine, holding me there. My eyes snapped up to witness his soft sweet smile. “I’m Oliver, but my friends call me Ollie.”

“Cool name, makes me want to start singing show tunes.”

“Sorry?” He looked puzzled by the reference and I smiled.

“Oliver the musical, food glorious food, you’ve got to pick a pocket or two.”

“Oh right,” he mumbled looking unsure.

“I take it you’re not a musical fan?” I waited with bated breath for his answer, musicals were my world, I lived and breathed them. It was something I aspired to do, to be upfront on the stage at the West End was my ultimate goal.

“Well I kind of liked Cats when I went a few years back.”

My face immediately brightened. “Ah magical Mr Mistoffelees.”

“Excuse me?”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t worry about it, so why are you stood here alone? Did you not bring anyone with you?” I asked, hoping he’d give the answer I wanted.

Please let him be single.

“Well I kind of live here so . . .”

My eyes widened in horror. “Holy shit, you’re related to Jessica.” Of all the people in the room, the only one that sparked my interest had to be related to that bitch.

“Yep, unfortunately.” He frowned, which surprised me.

“You know your sister is a bit of a bitch.” The words came out before I had barely registered what I was saying, and I grimaced at being so blunt. But it was the truth.

“I’d say more like full blown.” He chuckled and I laughed along with him.

“Oh god, I like you already.”

He smiled at my response. “Do you fancy going somewhere quieter?”

“Sure, just let me grab some of these.” I leaned over scooping up some more bottles, then we headed upstairs. Walking into Ollie’s room my eyes widened, he was definitely a guy. Every single technology was on display, Playstation, 40” television and a black leather recliner. He looked a little embarrassed but I smiled, leaping into the recliner and quickly launching myself back.

Jeez, this was beyond comfort.

He smiled and sat down on his bed as the awkwardness grew between us.

“So how come I haven’t seen you around?” I asked. I was intrigued to know why, ’cause trust me, I’d have definitely noticed.

“I’ve been away for a few months travelling, we moved here while I was away so I’m only starting to get my bearings.”

He looked a little lost, I guess it was hard making that transition after moving.

“Well Jessica has certainly made herself at home, she’s pretty much head of the cool gang; she does like to dominate.” That was putting it mildly.

He rolled his eyes in response, not looking at all shocked by my words. “Yep, that’s pretty much what happens around here. I just hide away. My parents let her get away with murder, so it’s far easier just to leave her to it.”

I popped the cap off the bottle and handed it over to Ollie, he smiled quickly taking a long draw, looking like he needed it. I took a swig too, placing the bottle down. “So which parts did you travel to?”

“We went around China, India, Malaysia and Vietnam.” His face lit up like he had great memories from his trip.

“Wow, bet that was an experience, a lot of their cultures are so different from ours.” I could only imagine it, so far I’d never been out the country to discover the rest of the world but it was high on my agenda to eventually travel and see what all the other countries had to offer.

He nodded. “Yeah, really different, but that’s why I went, to experience the lifestyles. I really enjoyed it, was kind of hard though. You live in basic accommodations; it’s just a place to bed down for the night really. But the actual touring part more than makes up for it. Some of the sights and landmarks I’ve seen, just amazing.”

My face screwed up at the thought. “I couldn’t bed down in basic, I’m a snob that way; I need my luxury.” My eyes locked with Ollie’s, he gave me one of those shy smiles, and I felt my heart flutter a little. That small response made me scared. What was it about him that evoked such emotion from me?

“I think that’s the first time I’ve smiled all week,” he admitted.

His admission made me frown. “That bad, huh?”

His eyes met mine. “Well, my parents can’t stop arguing, and the fact my sister is a bitch, yeah.”

His sadness was almost palpable; I knew in that moment that I wanted to be the one to bring some happiness into his life.

“Well I’ll make you smile, that’s if you want to hang out some more,” I asked cringing slightly. Oh god, what if he didn’t want to hang out? Was I now forcing myself onto him? I always did have a little trouble sensing the signs when I should be backing off. I had probably just made myself look like a right idiot.

“I would love that,” he cut in, bringing me out of my thoughts. “How about going for coffee tomorrow, my treat?”

Holy shit.

I tried to play it down, I didn’t want to appear too enthusiastic and scare him off straight away. Keep it cool, Elijah. Keep it cool. “Does that extend to a free brownie as well?” I asked teasingly.

He chuckled shaking his head at my brazen attitude. “Do you have a sweet tooth, huh?”

Sweet tooth? I was a full blown chocolate addict. “Yeah, but I try to keep that to myself, only those close to me know how deep my addiction goes.”

“So I guess I’m one of those now, I’m highly honoured.”

Was he flirting with me?

Keep calm. “I guess you are.”

“I shouldn’t really admit this but . . .”

“But what?” I prompted. Needing to know.

He bit his lip and my eyes locked on his. “I hate to come across as a stalker, but I saw you and your cousin last week in Starbucks.”

Oh god, I hope I was wearing something good.

“Really? Strange, I would have remembered a cute guy like you.” I grinned when he blushed, sheesh did this guy not know how he actually looked? His shy blush made me endeared to him even more.

“I observed you from afar.” His cheeks heated a little more at his stalker like admissions, and I chuckled at his honesty.

“Oh yeah, were you creeping on me?”

“NO!” he snapped, looking alarmed.

“Hey, it was a joke, but I have to say I like the thought of you perving on me,” I added with a cheeky wink.

His eyes widened in horror before dropping down. “I wasn’t perving, I was quietly watching. You and your cousin are quite the comedy duo.”

“Oh yeah, we make a great pair.” I chuckled, we provided the entertainment everywhere we went.