Playlist:
1) Teenage Dream- Boyce Avenue (Cover)
"My heart stops when you look at me
Just one touch now,
Baby I believe, this is real
so take a chance and
don't ever look back"
2) Thunder-Jessie J
"You make my hands shake
I watch the glass break
Around my guarded heart tonight
This ain't no mistake
You make my earth quake
You feel like thunder in the sky"
Chapter Eleven:
Jason POV
I am sitting around Laura and Danielle's apartment, debating between finding a good porn video on my laptop to watch, and downing a bottle of Jack. Why not both?
That's a very good question. My girl is with her parents on the other side of the city, and Danielle… Well she's probably in bed screwing my best friend. I cringe at the mental image. Why am I doing this to myself? I should be happy for Luke, but something or someone rather, keeps pulling at my heart.
If I'm completely honest with myself, I started falling for Danielle the day she was released from the hospital. She looked so broken and beaten down, and yet, she managed to keep her head held high and her eyes… God, her eyes were bright and luminous and so strong. Of course, I immediately took those feelings and attempted to shove them inside a box in the back of my mind. I was with Laura, and you can say all you want about Luke, but I pride myself on staying faithful to my woman. I could never hurt sweet, innocent, beautiful Laura in that way.
For the first few days, I was totally successful at keeping my feelings for Danielle hidden in the back of my mind. She was beautiful, smart and funny, but I managed to convince myself that she was a very good friend and that's it.
Looking back on the situation, with my luck, I should have known that something would happen that would make living with her a "let's see how hard it is not to get a boner around her, and bone her if you know what I'm saying" contest.
It happened a few days after Danielle came home from the hospital. It was noon, and Danielle was sleeping in, something that I quickly learned was rare for her. Laura tried desperately to get Danny to join us for a movie, anything to get her to stop crying and put a smile back on her face. After a couple of hours of trying, Laura gave up. She got a determined look on her face and called out that she was going shopping for herself and Danielle.
I've never known a woman to decline shopping before, and yet, Danielle stayed closed up in her room. Laura breezed out of the apartment with a worried look on her face, telling me to stay home in case Danny decided to "crawl out of her personal hell-hole." Honestly, I was completely fine with staying home. I hated shopping.
So I settled down on the couch, with a bowl of popcorn and Netflix. I had a perfectly good view of the door to Danielle's room, just in case she needed someone.
I wouldn't ever admit it openly to anyone, but I was totally hooked on the TV series, Supernatural. I had watched it a million times before, and decided to start back on season one, episode one.
After a few episodes, I could hear the water running from the shower in Danielle's room. At least, I had hoped it was just Danielle taking a shower. I could fight terrorists and look straight down the barrel of a gun without flinching, but ghosts and all that shit terrified me.
I moved on to a couple more episodes, and was thoroughly engrossed in the show when I heard a door creak a little, causing me to jump, "Holy FUCK."
"Oh shit! I didn't mean to startle you! I thought no one was home!" Danielle is starting at me, shocked, like a deer caught in the headlights.
At first, I managed to just look into her wide blue eyes. I tried to keep my gaze locked with hers, but after a few seconds, I couldn't stop my gaze from travelling down the length of her body. She was wearing nothing but a white fluffy towel, her blonde hair framing her face, water dripping from the ends and rolling down her tan limbs.
In that moment, I was pissed at the fact that I was only wearing sweats, with a blanket covering my legs and bare feet. At least there's a blanket. Quick, say something! And close your mouth dumbass!
"Oh, I'm sorry, Kitten. I was just watching some Netflix. It's more appealing than carrying shopping bags for Laura." I smirk slightly.
"Oh," She laughs slightly, the sound sweet, and yet slightly husky, "I know what you mean. What are you watching? Is it okay if I sit with you?" Her eyes look so innocent, and yet, the way she is dressed, or not dressed, conveys a sexy confidence that makes me want to drool over her.
"Of course, Kitten." I smirk at her and gesture at her lack of clothing, "Why don't you put some pj's on or something, though? I've never seen Laura's jealous side, but I don't think we want to give her any wrong ideas." I lower my eye lids, "Or do you?"
I laugh at the way her eyes widen and she looks down at herself, putting an arm across her supple chest. "Oh shit! God, I'm so sorry." Her cheeks go a cute shade of pink, "I don't normally walk around like this, honest. I just thought there was no one home. I'll be right back." She quickly turns around and hurls herself through her open door.
Ten minutes later, she walks out dressed in pink floral pajama shorts and a matching tank top. She looks so freaking adorable and I can't resist commenting on it, "Nice pj's, Kitten." I shoot her a wink.
She laughs and gently smacks me on the shoulder as she moves to sit beside me on the couch. "Don't be a douche, Jay." She shyly tucks a strand of still wet hair behind her ear. "Can I ask you something?"
Oh fuck. That's never a good sign. I don't want to give away anything about Luke's past. Fuck, fuck, FUCK! I clear my throat before I speak, "What would that be?"
"Why do you call me Kitten?" She flutters her eyelashes flirtatiously at me. Or am I just imagining that? Either way, I feel a heaviness leave my shoulders when I realize that I won't have to give any of Luke's shitty personal details away. I can't help but laugh as she raises an eyebrow at me and crosses her arms over her chest.
"What's so funny?" She narrows her eyes at me.
"You." I rush to finish my explanation after she backhands me across my bare chest. "I call you Kitten because you look so cute and innocent, but you can be ferocious when your back's up. You're also adorable and playful, and let's face it, you have a great head of hair." I wink at her and she cracks up, tears stream from her beautiful blue eyes, and she holds her stomach.
"You really think that about me?" She gasps through her laughter.
"Why yes, yes I do, Kitten." I smile at her.
For the next two hours we sat on the couch, side by side, watching Supernatural and playing twenty questions. I learned a lot about Danielle that afternoon, and I found myself telling her things about myself that I swore I'd never tell anyone. She never once judged me. She listened intently, instead of trying to make me feel better about the bad things I had done as a kid. That was the afternoon I found myself falling madly and completely in love with my best friend's girl.
I fell asleep on that very couch after watching a full season of Supernatural, and downing half a bottle of Jack. I dreamt of Danielle and her velvet voice, her supple lips and her bright blue eyes.
…
I woke up to the shrill sound of my cellphone ringing beside my head. I groaned as daggers of pain punctured my brain.
A quick glance at my cellphone told me that Danielle was calling me. Even though it's only eight in the morning, I was alert instantly.
"Hey, Kitten. Are you okay?" My voice sounded gruff. I cleared my throat.
"Um, no." She sniffles slightly on the other end. "I… We..." Apparently she realizes that I don't want the details of her night with him. "Luke is gone. I don't know where he went." I silently curse Luke for leaving her after he so obviously got laid. Fucking assholes these days.
"Did he leave you a note?" My voice sounds more hostile than I mean it to, "Kitten, just check for a note." I use a softer tone
"There isn't one. I already looked." She sighs loudly. "I bet he's somewhere fucking, Natalie. He got what he wanted from me and then he ran off." She starts to sob hysterically.
"I'm sure he just went to the gym or something."
"Really?" She sounds so adorable, it takes everything in me not to burst into inappropriate laughter.
"Really, really. Do you want me to come get you? I just have to have a quick shower."
"Yes please. Thanks, Jay. I'm sorry it's so early."
"No worries, Kitten. I'll always be here for you."
"I know." She whispers just before she hangs up.
Five minutes later, I've suffered through an invigorating cold shower and gotten myself dressed in a black t-shirt and light jeans. I don't really think much about the fact that Laura hasn't come home or even left a note. In fact, Laura never even crosses my mind.
I hop into my vehicle and in a matter of minutes I am knocking on the door to the apartment I share with Luke.
"Hey, Jay." Danielle's eyes are puffy and red from crying.
"Hey, Kitten." I pull her through the door way and crush her to my chest. Trying to take away all of the pain and humiliation she must feel. There are fresh, warm tears soaking my chest as she begins to cry again.
"I thought he wanted to be with me, Jay." She pulls away and looks into my eyes, her blue eyes made even brighter by the shine of unshed tears. "How could I have been so stupid?"
"You aren't stupid, Danielle. He is." I use my thumb to brush away a few of her tears. "Are you ready to go home?"
"No. I don't want to go home yet. Can you take me to the beach please? I want to walk and think."
"I can keep you company. I'll be quiet, I promise."
"Okay." She whispers and looks down at her feet. "If you're sure. I don't want to steal you away from Laura." I am momentarily stunned by the double meaning that lies in those words.
"Hey, it's okay. She's still at her parents. I think." My eyebrows pull together as I realize that I don't really know for sure if that's where she is.
"I guess we were both ditched. Huh?" She smiles. It's not a big smile, just a small one that tugs at the corners of her lips, but it brightens my day.
…..
Danielle POV
Jay and I are sitting at an ice-cream bar on the beach when the clouds begin to roll in from the West. With all the humidity lately, I'm not surprised that a big storm is brewing.
I am so grateful that I can count on Jason. Maybe it was stupid of me to call him after I woke up naked in Luke's bed with no sign of him anywhere. I looked frantically for a note, I checked my phone for texts, missed calls, or even an email. There was nothing. Luke fucked me and then walked out the door the next morning without a word.
At first, I was upset, hell, I was humiliated, but then I realized that maybe I was being a bit irrational. I settled back into bed and played a few games on my phone, I got up and routed through the cupboards in the kitchen for breakfast. I even took a shower, all without a sign from Luke.
Eventually, I gave up and called Jason. I couldn't just sit around and wait for the man I loved to come back. Maybe, he would never come back. Maybe all we had was a raw passion that consumed us. I had no way of figuring it out for sure though, because whenever I tried to talk to Luke it either ended in yelling, or frenzied sex. As much as I loved that aspect of things with Luke, I had to be honest with myself and admit that I didn't want to be someone's fuck buddy. I wanted a real relationship.
"Hey, Kitten. You okay?" I feel Jason's warm hand on my shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm good. I was just lost in thought I guess." I shrug, and then I bust out in laughter as Jason starts tickling me. "W-what a-a-a-are you d-d-o-doing?" I sputter.
"I'm trying to find you!" He winks at me. His eyes bright and playful.
"I'm back now! Please, stop! P-p-people are s-staring!" I am laughing so hard my stomach hurts and there are tears rolling down my cheeks.
"Okay." He raises his hands above his head. "I'm all yours."
"What?" I raise one eyebrow in question. I'm trying to understand why my heart started beating faster when he said that he was mine.
"An eye for an eye, Kitten." He closes his eyes. "Take your revenge. I can take it."
"I think I'll reserve my right to revenge. I'll get you when you least expect it." Are you flirting with him? Really? Danielle Margaret Trent!
"Fair enough. Ready to roll yet?"
"Actually, can we just take another walk?"
Jason's eyes open wide. "Are you sure? There's a storm coming."
"Scared of a little rain?" I taunt.
He narrows his eyes. "Challenge accepted, Kitten."
Why do I feel like there's a deeper meaning to his words?
…..
We walk down the beach in the growing breeze, talking about anything and nothing all at once. We discuss politics, literature, the army, her father, Luke and Laura. We discuss our future plans, or lack thereof. We comfort each other without judgement and our connection deepens. It's almost as if we were made for each other.
Danielle is dressed in the same outfit she wore last night which just happens to be ripped jean shorts and a white tank top that makes her tan skin glow like gold. She is beautiful with her blonde hair blowing back from her bright eyes. There are goose bumps beginning to form on her skin and it takes everything in me not to pull her close to me, so I can lend her some of my body heat.
We have walked about a mile when Danielle walks a few paces a head of me, and I let her go. She stops and turns toward the now chaotic waves. Her eyes are far away and for a second I wonder if she's thinking about what her and I could be for each other. The first rumbles of thunder sound a few miles off the beach, and I watch Danielle jump at the sound. She looks over at me, laughter in her eyes, and embarrassment clear in the pinkness of her cheeks.
I hurry over to her, "What's the matter, Kitten? Scared of a little thunder?" I wink at her, and rake her body with my eyes. I can't help it. She's close to me and smells like vanilla and rain. It's intoxicating.
She playfully swats me on the shoulder, "No!" She laughs and dances away from me before I can grab her. I don't stop to think about how this could be a metaphor for our relationship.
"You could have fooled me!" I call out as I chase after her. My heart is pounding and I can see the rain coming from across the ocean. "Danielle, we have to go! The storm is coming!" I point toward the sheet of rainwater that is quickly coming in our direction.
She skips over to me, radiant and playful. "What's the matter, Jay? Scared of getting wet?" She winks and reaches up to run her hand playfully through my hair. Desire begins to throb deep in my stomach. Her lips are so close and I can't help but wonder what she tastes like.
My self-control wavers slightly as I see her eyelids lower. The look in her bright blues tells me that she's definitely thinking the same thoughts about me right now, as I am about her. For a second I shut off the part of my brain that usually whispers in my ear that being attracted to Danielle is wrong, and I grab her wrist as she begins to pull away.
She crashes into me. Her palms flat on my chest, her body flush with mine. I can feel the hummingbird beat of her heart through the fabric of our shirts. She stares into my eyes, searching them for an answer that I can't seem to give her right now. Why did I do that? Why are we doing this now? I don't know.
I bend my head, my lips a fraction of an inch from hers. I patiently wait for her to make the decision to kiss me or not. She takes a shaky breath in, her eyes never leaving mine. She has me captivated, mesmerized. "Your eyes are such a beautiful shade of green." She whispers, her lips brushing mine and causing my skin to break out in goose bumps. She closes her eyes and leans forward, lips hesitantly meeting mine.
We kiss as thunder continuously rumbles over our heads. The wind whips around us, her hair blows around my face, and I move my hands to hold it out of the way, deepening our kiss as she pushes herself around me. I am lost in her warmth, and the smell of vanilla. My conscious tries to turn itself back on, but I quickly shut it off again. I never want this moment to end.
I haven't even noticed that the rain has finally reached us, drenching us in lukewarm water. I can't seem to care and apparently, Danielle doesn't either, as I lift her into my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist. We are consumed by each other in our own little bubble. I hold Danielle close to me, and try to pour all my feelings for her into our shared kisses.
Author's Note:
Sorry about the major delay... Hope you guys still love me! :)
Let me know what you think...
Much Love!
