A/N: should i put a warning here? sure. why not? for all the timid ones out there: mild sexual content up ahead... (doesn't that just make you more curious?? hehe!)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - Cheat

In my opinion, horror flicks are great. Let me tell you, I love them so much that I can only watch them by peeping through my fingers as my hands cover my eyes.

...I'm a wuss. Go ahead and call me out on it.

But that feeling you get when you hear the creepy background music and you just know that something awful's about to happen is inexplicable... and down-right weird when you get off on that sort of thing. I shared this with Byron as we were in my den, with an empty bowl of Orville-Redenbacher popcorn, as the end credits to Red Dragon were rolling.

"All I know is: nothing beats the original," Byron said disappointedly, clicking the off button on the remote. "It makes you wonder why people even bother to make sequels? Or prequels, in this case."

"Obviously because there are people like us who go out and rent them," I replied, smirking as I stood up from the sofa and stretched my legs.

"Smart-ass," Byron retorted, grinning. I smiled and stuck my tongue out, suppressing a scream as he jumped up and a tickle fight ensued on the floor of out den.

Exhausted but smiling, I laid my back on the hardwood floor a few minutes later, in an attempt to catch my breath. Byron's back slid down the wall as he took a seat on the floor next to me. He gently pushed a stray strand of hair away from my eyes and I closed them, smiling, unable to think back to a time when I was this happy. I opened my eyes again just as Byron leaned his head down and kissed me.

"What time are your parents coming home again?" he mumbled playfully, his lips still on mine.

"Oh... They'll be gone for hours," I said pointedly, smiling and very much just wanting him to shut up and kiss me again.

Our breathing soon became heavier as our kisses grew more and more passionate. I was so lost in the intimacy and closeness of the moment that I didn't know where, or how, to stop... Maybe deep inside, I really didn't want to.

It was quite some time until I was stirred back into reality and I found myself shirtless and in my black lace Victoria Secret bra. Byron was laying on top of me, his hands on my bare skin sending electric shocks all the way down to my toes.

"Byron..." I said softly, breathing heavily as I pried my lips away from his. I was torn between listening to the tiny voice in my head telling me I should stop this. He didn't respond, but started to kiss my neck. It felt so amazing being with him in that moment, I wanted anything but to ruin it... but still.....

"Byron," I repeated meekly, although this time a bit louder. He seemed to ignore me as he continued to kiss my neck as his hands slowly began to play with the button on my denim jeans. The nagging little voice that was telling me to stop at once disappeared, overwhelmed by this urge to let my inhibitions go and just give in.

Again, our lips met and we started to kiss passionately. In a brief moment of awkwardness, we shifted our positions on the floor as he slowly pulled my jeans down to my knees.

We stopped kissing and I closed my eyes as Byron leaned his forehead against mine. Both out of breath, we said nothing as I felt Byron's now trembling fingertips touch my stomach and slowly travel down. My body grew tense as I held my breath in tightly.

"...Stop," I exhaled. Byron's hand stopped and rested where they were. I opened my eyes and looked into his.

"Baby..." he pleaded.

"I-I can't do this," I stammered, breathing heavily. "We have to stop." I hoped that he could tell by looking into my eyes that I meant it.

"But...."He trailed off and seemed to give in, sighing loudly and moving his weight off my body. I sat up and adjusted my jeans. Frustrated, I buried my head in my hands. How could I have gone that far?

Looking back up, I saw Byron watching me. I couldn't read the expression on his face.

"Here's your shirt," he said flatly, handing me my red Nike t-shirt.

"I didn't want it to happen like this," I said softly, taking it from him. Suddenly feeling self-conscious, I hurried to put my shirt back on. "We haven't even talked about it. I really want us to be responsible. I don't want any regrets."

"Responsible?! C'mon Char! I'm not stupid. I brought condoms." At this revelation, I was shocked and blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"So, wait. I want to get this crystal clear. This whole night? You brought condoms and was planning to have sex with me tonight."

"Well..." he said hesitatingly.

"Tell me the damn truth," I said coldly. I was angry. He played me the entire night. Everything he did, everything said was all part of some sick little ploy to get me to sleep with him. He avoided my eyes as he replied,

"Char, let's just drop this. I don't want to talk to you about this when you're this mad." He stood up and I jumped up, roughly grabbing him by the arm.

"No!" I spat out. "Hell no. I feel cheated and we're so not dropping this subject."

"God! Why do you have to be this difficult? Why couldn't you just give in? I know you wanted it as bad as I did... Man, Jeff was right. You're just a big tease." At that, I slapped him hard on the cheek, my eyes brimming with tears. He was surprised, to say the least, and stood there, rubbing the spot where I hit him.

"Great. So I get it," I said, seething with anger, looking at him through my tears. "'I think I'm in love with you'...'I can be with you in the silence and still feel so complete.'" I was mocking him and all his damn lies. I hated myself for believing them. "That was all bullshit to see how far I would go with you."

Byron didn't reply, but just narrowed eyes.

"Fine," he finally said in a flat tone. "If you think everything was a lie... If that's want you want to believe, then there's nothing I can do."

"Fine!" I yelled, roughly pushing him away. It was all I could do to keep myself from bursting into tears. I felt so humiliated... so used. "Then get the hell out my house! I don't want to see your damn face ever again."

Byron took one last look at me and his eyes flickered with sadness. I hated him even more. "Get out," I repeated coldly. At that, he turned his back and walked away from me.

It was over even before it really began.

A/N: let me ask! who thought that when they read this last chapter title, they thought Jeff and Char were going to hook up? my vague way to trying to be sneaky... did it work?? hehe. but anyway, there it is... i don't think you can go to such high and low extremes as i did with these two chapters. sorry to all the Byron and Charlotte fans out there. but hey, the drama's not even close to being over. keep reading and keep reviewing!!