"Yes, my favourite," I sung happily as Nate placed the bag down on the table.
His eyes crinkled as he smiled, unpacking our dinner. He laid out the various boxes and I snapped my wooden chop sticks apart, preparing for our feast.
"I honestly don't know where you put it all. You eat more than Trey and he's a monster. I'm not complaining though."
"Must be good genes," I commented, my mouth already full of sticky pork. I groaned in delight. Living in a dorm sucked. I rarely ate out so I was grateful for the birthday dinner. Living on packet noddles and coffee shop muffins was not ideal. Not that I really minded. I was alive so I couldn't complain.
We enjoyed the food, changed into something more comfortable and settled in for a movie. I stretched out on the couch and Nate tapped his thighs.
"Bring them up."
Placing my pink socked feet in his lap, he slowly drew his knuckles into the arch.
I moaned deeply. "Are you trying to seduced me Mr. Jones?" I asked, my back arching as his hands worked their magic.
"If it's working, then yes." My blonde haired companion chuckled. He stopped for a moment and placed a pillow between his lap and my feet.
"You shouldn't do that."
"Do what?"
"Make those sounds."
"Oh. Well you really need to stop -," I sucked in a sharp breath "no actually. Don't stop."
He worked up my ankle, pushing my sweats up, his fair skin glowing in contrast against my darker tone. His fingers pressed deeply into my calf muscle causing me to jump.
"You've got knots in your legs. Probably from all the hours you're doing at the coffee shop."
I bit my lip as his fingers pressed against my skin, rubbing and causing the most painfully delicious feeling. I felt as though I was in cloud nine. My thighs clenched, as his fore finger and thumb slid up, his palm gliding across my knee. I was in bliss.
"Leah," Nate groaned, his body leaning closer. "Tell me to stop. Or I'm not going to." His voice was pained and breathless.
Why was I so worried about Nate. He was a great guy. Fun. Responsible. Caring. Amazing with his hands. Why was I fighting so hard against myself. I deserved to be treated the way Nate treated me. Sure it wasn't fireworks and roses but it was good. and safe. He was a safe option.
Fuck it.
"Don't stop."
Happy Birthday to me.
...
"Leah." Hot lips pressed against my ear, my hair being swept away from my neck. The kisses were light and I giggled endlessly. "I know you're awake."
"No. Go away."
"It's 10am. It's cloudy out. I thought we could go for a hike. There's a small trail on the other side of the lake."
Nate peppered kisses down my neck, trailing between my shoulder blades, before moving back up to my neck and sucking lightly. His teeth grazed my pulse point and I shuddered. I peeked over and appreciated the view. He was wearing low hanging boxers, his lithe body pressing against mine. He wasn't as defined as Jacob, but he could definitely pull interest.
Why was I thinking about Jacob Black?
His fingers trailed to the small of my back, playing with the material of my underwear. His nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply, causing my cheeks to flush. I wondered if I smelt.
"You're starting to smell like me."
"Really?"
"Yup. Take a shower and meet me in the kitchen. I brought your bag up late last night, it's near the bathroom."
With a final kiss he left me in the large bed. I could hear his footfalls as he walked down the stairs and decided to finally move. I took a long hot shower, scrubbing my skin and stretching under the heat. After 20 minutes I turned the heat off.
Wrapping a towel around my hair, I walked out of the bathroom and dressed. The full length mirror in the corner of the room caught my eye and I strode over to it. I looked over myself and shrugged. Dark blue was a good colour and the underwear was cute. Rachel knew what would look good on me. She had insisted I open my present early and I was surprised to find a matching set of undergarments. She'd laughed her ass off as I scowled at the lacy number. Of course it was lovely but was it me?
I pulled the towel off my hair and sat on the bed, reaching into my bag and fishing out my phone.
7 UNREAD MESSAGES
"Huh."
Rach: 'Have you used my present? Happy birthday bitch.'
Seth: 'Happy B-Day Sis. Love, me'
Mum: 'Happy Birthday, my darling. I love you so much.'
JB: 'I heard you were thinking about coming back for a visit. Let me know when. I'll pick you up from the airport. Hell, I've drive to Arizona to get you.'
'Leah, stop being such a sourpus. Text me back. Or call me. You still owe me a photo'
'Seriously Clearwater, you can't ignore me forever.'
'Do I need to send another pic?'
I grumbled and stood in front of the mirror. Placing my legs slightly apart I raised the phone, ruffled my hair and snapped a picture. Dark blue. Tan skin. Long legs. It would do.
Jacob Black was annoying me to no end and I needed him to just go away. If he wanted a damn photo, he was going to get one. I hoped he had a heart attack. I'd purposely left out my face just in case he decided to show his stupid friends. At least I could deny it and say it wasn't me.
I pressed send, dressed conpletely, and went downstairs to see Nate.
Before I hit the bottom of the stairs another text came through.
'Marry me?'
Jacob Black really was insane.
...
By the time we got back from the hike I was buggered. I slumped down on the porch swing. "You are way fitter than you look." I grumbled to Nate who was amused at my antics.
"It wasn't that far, Leah. Three miles, maybe a bit less."
"I hate you."
"I know."
"Next time I want two bagels for breakfast."
He chucked and leant down, brushing his lips across mine. "Anything you want, it yours." The hairs on my neck stood up unannounced which was strange.
"Aren't you hot in that parka?" I asked as I peeled off a layer of clothing. "I swear you wear it all day long. Do you burn easily or something?"
Nates eyes flickered. "Something like that. Let's get inside."
...
I sat on the kitchen counter as I munched on some slices of pineapple. Nate had left to get some supplies or something but truth be told I hadn't really been listening. He'd distracted me by kissing me stupid and tugging on my hair. He wasn't rough but I actually enjoyed his fingers in my hair, pulling gently.
The sun was starting to set and the cool breeze made its way in the house through the open French doors. I sighed as I slipped off the counter and began closing the windows and doors. I was going to need to change out of my cargo shorts and tee because they were not even close to being warm enough.
Did Nate mention he was getting beer? I hoped so.
Slinking in the lounge I flipped my phone in my palm. I'd checked Facebook and liked a couple of photos Rebecca had posted of a beach in Maui. She was so lucky to live in Hawaii. Constant sun, surf, the beach.
Checking my bank balance I transferred some money to my mother. She would never have asked for money but I wanted her to have it. It wasn't a lot but I hoped it would at least be something she could put away, maybe to use on a rainy day.
When I hadn't heard from Nate for over an hour I dialled his number. It had gone straight to voicemail. I tried again twenty minutes later and still nothing.
I walked around the living room, staring at pictures. There were mostly photos of Nate and Trey as boys. Playing by the lake. In matching baseball uniforms. Graduating high school.
I tried the number again. No answer.
I started to get a sinking feeling. I was out here alone. No car. No idea how close the next property was. I couldn't even drive around and look for him, check the roads leading toward the house or towards the small town he had gone into, just in case something had happened on his way.
Grabbing a throw over from the living room, I sat out on the porch swing, eyes trained desperately at the drive. The night was black, thick velvet skies littered with sparkling stars above me. The scent of the night swarmed around me, threatening to swallow me whole.
"Nate, call me back please. Where are you? Are you okay?"
By 9pm I couldn't wait any longer.
I called the police. Then I called Rachel and Trey.
...
Blue and red lights ricocheted off the large house. It no longer looked warm and inviting but held a sense of looming despair. Of emptiness. The cold night made my skin prickle and it wasn't until Rachel grabbed my shoulders did I realise I was shaking.
"We found the car off of Route 105," a smartly dressed officer explained to Trey. "There was signs of a struggle, some blood, but no body. It's a good sign. We've got dogs searching the area as we speak, son."
Trey nodded in silence, taking in the information.
"I'm going to have to speak to the girl. She was the last one to see him alive."
My throat tightened.