Chapter 9

The wet, partially foggy sunlight broke my drowsiness the next morning. As I dressed I spotted a note left on the coffee table, written in a hurried scrawl.

Went to rent car. Get dressed. Be back soon. I love you.

-Duke

It better be nice, after he left me, I thought bitterly as I pulled on what I felt were safe public school clothes: skinny jeans, Converse, t-shirt and oversized sweatshirt. My stomach was churning too roughly to eat anything, so I was pacing anxiously when Duke arrived. He swung the door open and when he saw me pacing, he laughed. I quickly glanced around for something to throw at him, my arm already raised, but his arms found a firm hold around my waist and he lowered my hand to rest on his chest.

"Calm. Breathe."

I exhaled loudly, and he chuckled as he leaned down to kiss me. My brain went into a frenzy, and my thoughts were clouded with a sudden and terrified urge for him. I stood on my tiptoes to meet him sooner and he caught me, restraining me from cracking altogether. He kissed me lightly, but not cautiously, soothing instantly.

"You're going to be fine," he mumbled from the hollow under my ear. I whimpered nervously. "If I kiss you again, could you please not attack me?"

"I'll try," I slurred. His eyes were still melting mine.

"I won't take my chances then," he answered, lacing his fingers through mine instead. I whimpered again.

"I love you, but you already know that," I mumbled against his chest, breathing in the smell wafting off his slightly worn sweater.

"I don't think you have to remind me," he teased, recalling my earlier panic. I grumbled. "Let's go," he announced after giving me a minute to wallow in my earlier felt despair, my insides bubbling nervously. He led me to the door by the hand, but he could feel me shaking with nerves, so he took my waist to support me.

As we hobbled out the silent sliding doors of the hotel, my eyes grazed the parking lot. "Where's the car?" I queried.

"There." He grinned, pointing with his index finger to the most conspicuously inconspicuous car he could've chosen. The entire sleek frame of the 2006 Mustang was midnight black, the windows tinted like a new moon's night at twilight. It was sleek and artsy, and I peered inside the too-small windows at the perfectly leathered, pristine seats.

"It's okay," I agreed absently. I couldn't concentrate on the car. I was still shaking nervously. Duke saw me and sighed, smiling. He pressed my body against the hood of the car and kissed me intensely. I returned it happily, gratefully.

"Now, what are you nervous about?" he breathed against my face and kissed me again.

"Well, uh, them not liking me…" I was befuddled.

"How could anyone not like you?" his arms tightened around my waist and he kissed harder. I didn't answer him this time, because I knew one way or another he would get me in that car, even if it was dragged kicking and screaming.

"Let's go," he whispered after a while. I tried not to move. "Don't make me do this," he responded reluctantly. In one swift motion, I was in his arms and he was leaning over me, the next second he was buckling my seatbelt. I didn't argue, partly because I was amazed by how he looked today. It had gotten colder overnight, so he was dressed in faded jeans and a light gray, almost cashmere sweater. His arms were warm and comforting, and I loved the way his shirt emphasized the way they bulged out of the sleeves. Apparently I was caught staring for too long, because one look at my mesmerized face made him chuckle as he took my hand. I stared purposefully at my messenger bag by my feet, tracing the seams of the canvas with my eyes.

"Madi, look at me," Duke said seriously. He had finally caught on to how great my fear was. "You. Will. Be. Fine." He drew out each word, and the intensity of his burning gaze on my skin made me meet his unwavering eyes.

We had arrived at the school now. My heart was hammering erratically in my chest. I think Duke heard it, because concern had replaced the sarcasm in his eyes. "Maybe we should wait a day…" he continued, and I so wanted to scream Yes! Get me out of here!!! But I shook my head in resolve, squeezing his hand tighter.

"You're right," I choked, sighing. "I'll go." But my walk was unsteady as I tried to make my way into the mobs of swarming students outside the establishment.

"Not yet!" he almost shouted, too quickly. I sat back down in the seat and leaned over to him. His lips touched mine softly, lightly, and he pulled away and gazed at me. His mouth pulled into a slight smile, but his eyes remained hard.

"Bye," he whispered, and reached over to swiftly wipe a hint of moisture away from my eyes. "I love you."

"Love you too." The conversation ended as I gently shut the door and stepped back onto the sidewalk, my hand reaching up in a forgotten wave as the car swept away.