An Unexpected Love (Complicated Love Series #2) (14 page)

“I really enjoyed the tour, Karl. Thank you.” She smiles and my heart skips a beat. I’m anxious about these feelings that seem to be resurfacing for Tracy.

“Well, the day’s not over yet…let’s go.” I grab her hand and head off to find the next thing to do. I’m thoroughly enjoying myself and I don’t want this day to end.

The day is going really well and I’m enjoying Karl’s company. I never thought he’d be so kind and caring as well as his charming self. He’s been so sweet all day and has made me feel like this is a date. I told him it wasn’t, but as time goes on I can’t stop myself from dreaming that this is an actual date. Karl is really excited to go on the
Jurassic Park
ride. He literally dragged me on, but I’m kind of a wuss when it comes to rides. We get on this broad yellow boat that sits five people in a row and has about five rows. It’s packed with loads of tourists that seem really excited to be going as well. I glance back and they all appear to have raincoats on. I’m getting slightly worried that I’ll get wet, and when my hair is wet, it gets really frizzy and big. I don’t want to look like that in front of Karl, but I see his face and I don’t want to disappoint him so I plaster on a smile and get into the front row. Karl slides in next to me looking like a little kid at Christmas.

“You’re really looking forward to this, aren’t you?” He bobs his head up and down.

“Oh yeah, I am. Jurassic Park is one of my favorite films.” He faces the front as the boat starts off. We travel around and see dinosaurs of all sorts popping out and trying to scare us. It’s all pretty funny, but I loved it when the Jurassic car looked like it was going to careen over a cliff, I thought it was going to hit us. I’m really enjoying the ride because it’s relaxing. Karl starts chuckling and I glance over at him and see a broad smile spread across his face. He puts his arm around me and squeezes me tightly.

“I think this ride is about to get even more exciting!”

“What do you mean?” He laughs and points in front of us. “Look where we’re going.” I avert my eyes from Karl and see a tunnel. Oh no, not another freaking tunnel. I can hear Karl sniggering beside me.

“What is it with tunnels?”

“Ah beautiful, don’t worry, I’m here.” He smiles. “I don’t need my glasses, it looks pretty dark in there.” He puts his glasses on top of his cap and relaxes back into his seat as we enter the tunnel. It’s pitch black and I’m kind of scared…again. We’re going up and dinosaurs keep appearing on both sides of us. We accelerate down and I scream loud, but it’s over before it’s really begun. It must have only been a little drop. It’s still dark and I can hear all kinds of weird noises. It doesn’t take long before we’re going up again and this climb seems steeper. It reminds me of the log flumes I used to go on back home. It was a rollercoaster on water and you sat in a boat that looked like a log. They were so fun. Annabelle used to drag me on when we were in college. We used to go to the different theme parks around the area.

“Hold on tight, beautiful. This is going to be a big drop.” I scoot closer to Karl’s side and hold on. Before I know it, we’re dropping and accelerating down. I scream and whoop as we plunge into the water at the bottom. I get slightly wet, but I don’t care because it was brilliant! It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, and I’m quite proud that I got on this ride and nailed it.

“Oh, man!” I look over at Karl and he looks a bit annoyed. “I lost my cap and glasses.” I glance up and notice that his cap and sunglasses are missing and his face is a picture. “My cap blew off when we went down the last drop that was my favorite cap. I bought it at Venice Beach.” I have to laugh because he looks like a pouting kid, he’s too cute.

“Oh, poor baby. Maybe if you’re good, I’ll buy you a new one.” I laugh again. We get off the ride and make our way outside. I immediately notice a Jurassic Park gift shop, so I tell Karl to wait for me and slip inside the shop. I purchase him a
Jurassic Park
cap and some silver sunglasses. I wander out of the store and Karl is sitting down on a bench. I bounce over to him with a skip in my step and present him with the bag. He looks confused but opens it.

He smiles a big smile. “You bought me these?” He looks up and I’m shocked by what I see in his eyes, it’s something that I never thought I’d see.

“Well…I…uh…didn’t want you to keep complaining for the rest of the day.” I try to play it off, but he looks so happy. He stands up and quickly grabs me and crushes his mouth to mine. It’s a deep passionate kiss, but it’s over way too fast. He touches his forehead to mine and we just stare at one another until I break the silence and tell him we have more things to do.

What the hell is happening to us?

We spend the rest of the day going on all sorts of rides such as
The Simpsons
and
Shrek 4D
, then Karl decided he wanted to go on the
Revenge of the Mummy
ride. There was no way I was getting on that ride. It’s bad enough that I sat through the film, let alone going on the ride so I opted to wait outside across from the exit so I could see him when he exited.

The look on his face told me he was really pleased with himself when he came out. He told me all about what had happened when one of the Egyptian statues suddenly moved and shouted
“boo”
at him. I nearly pissed myself laughing when he told me he started screaming like a girl. He was embarrassed to say the least…bless him. The day was incredible and I really didn’t want it to end. Karl held my hand all the way back to the car and before he opened my door, he pulled me close and gave me another passionate kiss. The chemistry has always been there between us. If I’m honest, the feelings I had have come back and I’m kidding myself saying I don’t feel anything for him. He pulls back and rests his forehead against mine.

“We shouldn’t be doing this.” He looks at me and I’m confused.

“I don’t understand. What do you mean?” He was the one who initiated the kisses he’s given me. I knew he would do this, and now I’m pissed with him.

“It’s not right that I’m hitting on Brandon’s girl. He’s my stepbrother and this just doesn’t feel right behind his back.” I look at him and realize that he's serious. I burst out laughing. It was too funny to hear Karl actually concerned that I belong to someone else. The Karl I knew back in England wouldn’t have cared less if I had a boyfriend or not. This is why I find it amusing right now. I’m starting to get a stitch in my side from all the laughing.

“Come on Tracy, what the hell is wrong with you?” He’s sounds frustrated. I can’t get my words out properly, so I compose myself before talking.

“Sorry…” I giggle. He’s getting pissed now. “Don’t worry about Brandon.”

“How can I not? He’s my brother.”

I wrap my arms around him and give him a quick peck on the lips before putting him out of his misery.

“Karl…we aren’t together anymore.” His eyes widen.

“Since when?

“Since I went and spoke to him and we both agreed that we aren’t right for one another.”

I get a megawatt smile from Karl. “Do you fancy going for a bite to eat and maybe go for a drink after?” I don’t have to think about it, I want to go with him.

“You’ve got yourself a date.” He crushes his mouth back to mine before leading me over to the Universal Studios City Walk.

I’m so happy right now. I have to be at work in the morning, but I don’t care because I’m enjoying myself and I can’t wait to see what happens next for me and Karl.

I was ecstatic when Tracy told me that she and Brandon had split. I hated feeling the way I did going behind Brandon’s back, so I felt immediate relief when hearing that news from Tracy. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before and it fucking terrifies me. I never thought I wanted commitment, but I’m drawn to her. I was going to try the friend thing, but this day has been amazing and I’m not the only one feeling this way. I needed to prolong the night, so I thought dinner and drinks after was the only way to keep her with me and take her to the Universal Studios City Walk. I’ve heard so much about it, and it looks so beautiful lit up at night. It has to be the best place for our first date. I can’t believe she said it was a date and I feel like I’m making progress with her. And in a way, I want to make it up to her for the hurt I caused when we first met. I was a complete pig to her and I count my lucky stars that she actually wants to talk to me, let alone go on a date or even hang out with me.

We end up going to the
Hard Rock Café
for dinner and ordering Nachos for our starter followed by a BBQ chicken pizza and apple cobbler for desert. It was delicious and Tracy seemed to love every part of the meal. I love a girl who’s not afraid to eat. We talk for ages about growing up with our parents, and I begin to realize why she’s so against giving her heart to anyone. It’s a shame that there’s no love between her parents now, and they’re just together for appearances. I’d hate to be like that, and I’d never let that happen to us. I have to prove to Tracy that we can make this work.

The more time I spend with her, the more I want her with me. I tried to talk about that dreadful night between us, and the five years that we had apart, but she kept clamming up and won’t speak to me about it at all. I don’t understand why, and it makes me nervous that she’s so closed off about that part of her life. I don’t want to push her too much because she’ll run, and even though I’m scared of this
thing
we have between us, I have to be with her. Everything feels right when I’m with her. I’m going back home in a week, and I’m suddenly not feeling that good about going back there. I’m not sure what’s going to happen between us if I do return home.

We spent time walking up and down the shops. This place is stunning at night, and that’s exactly what Tracy said as we strolled down the walk. She dragged me into
Guess
to have a look. She amused me with her squealing and ahhing over every bag and purse she came into contact with. I didn’t realize she was a huge bag and purse kind-of-girl, but she told me that she loves to purchase bags. Women are so weird at times and highly entertaining to watch when they scurry around the shops oohing and ahhing over everything. I saw her staring in awe at this one bag. She kept going back to it and she looked like she was in love with the bag. It was quite amusing to watch, and so I asked her if she’d like it, but she soon shook her head and walked away. She refused to let me buy her anything, even though she bought me a cap and sunglasses to replace the ones I lost. We didn’t stay long after that, as Tracy dragged me out of the store quite quickly. She was getting pissed that I wanted to buy her something.

“Look, I don’t need anything and they are too expensive anyway.”

We are standing outside and she’s looking annoyed with me. I don’t understand how someone can get annoyed with someone wanting to buy them a gift.

“Oh, come on…it’s only a bag.”

She stares at me open mouthed. “Only a bag? Only a bag?” She keeps repeating it and I chuckle. “Don’t you dare chuckle at me.” She points her finger in my chest. I chuckle to myself because she looks adorable. Wrapping my arm around her shoulder, we continue walking.

“Okay, okay, I get it. No buying you a gift.” I need to change the topic. “So what do you want to do next? We can go and watch a late night movie at the cinema, or hit a few clubs. What do you think?” She smirks and I know her answer before she’s even said it. This girl hasn’t changed really.

“Do you really have to ask?” I smile and we head into a club called the Fusion Lounge. It’s an impressive place, it has two spacious dance floors and looks like something you’d see in Las Vegas, with all the bright and colorful lighting. It’s packed in here, and I realize that they have a happy hour happening. I leave Tracy sitting right near the dance floor and make my way to the bar to order us some drinks. It takes me quite a while to get served, and all I really want to do is get back to Tracy. I can’t believe how well today has gone, and thinking about it just makes me smile.

Maybe we could make this work?

I finally order a beer for myself and a vodka and lemonade for Tracy. I weave back through the crowd to our table. I used to love being in clubs, but I’m not sure whether this is my scene anymore. I see Tracy talking to a guy, who has sat down opposite her. He must be funny because he has Tracy laughing, and it’s rubbing me up the wrong way. I grit my teeth and watch this guy who seems to be quite charming if Tracy’s laughing is anything to go by. He’s muscular, but I reckon I could take him. He has short brown hair that hangs around his face and I notice an eyebrow piercing glinting in the light. I hate him! Just watching him being all flirty and charming is pissing me off. I’ve had enough, so I continue on my way to the table. I stop and look down at both of them, and I’m getting more pissed off by the moment seeing as they haven’t even noticed that I’m standing here. It’s loud with the music, so I slam the drinks down placing the vodka lemonade in front of Tracy. They both jump and look up at me.

“Am I interrupting?” I don’t care if I am, so I grab a chair from the table next to ours and place it down before sitting.

“Don’t be silly. We were just catching up, this is a guy I met a while ago. I haven’t seen him for ages. This is Brett.” I glance at him and he does a silly kind of wave with his hand.
What a prick!

“Nice to meet you, man.”

I nod my head. “So, Brett, are you having fun tonight?” I hate the guy. He’s boiling my blood, and I’m jealous. I admit it. I’m fucking jealous right now.

“I’ve had a shit day, mate, so I thought I would come here and check out the scene. Plus, it’s happy hour so that’s always a good thing.” He laughs and takes a swig of his beer. “Then I saw this beautiful creature sitting all on her own, so I thought I would come and say hi.” Tracy blushes and it pisses me off even more.

“Well, I’m here now.” I scoot closer to Tracy and wrap my arm around her shoulder. I see his eyes widen and I think he understands what I’m getting at. Tracy tenses under me, and I glance at her out of the corner of my eye. She doesn’t look happy, and I’m sure I’m the reason. It becomes awkward and no one’s talking, so I just sit there guzzling my beer. Brett breaks the silence.

“Right, well…it was nice seeing you again, Tracy. Take care of yourself.”

“Yeah, see you, Brett,” she mumbles before taking a giant gulp of her drink. Brett leaves the table and I see him disappearing into the crowd.

“What the hell was that about?”

Oh crap, I knew she was annoyed.

“Nothing.”

“Like hell it was nothing!” She shrugs my arm off her shoulder and scoots her chair away from me. This wasn’t how I expected the night to go.

“Let’s dance.” I grab her hand before she can reject me and I pull her onto the dance floor. I’m so happy that it’s a slow song. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her as close as possible. I hear her intake of breath, and I smile knowing that she’s affected by me. She doesn’t hesitate in gliding her hands up my chest and wrapping her arms around my neck. She’s incredible, and she feels great in my arms. She seems to have forgotten our earlier conversation and sways with me to the music with ease. I’m a terrible dancer and swaying is probably the only thing that I can do well.

“So are you going to tell me what that was all about earlier?”

Oh crap, I thought I’d distracted her enough. Looks like I’m going to have to play dumb. I can’t admit why I acted that way. It will make me look like a prick, and my feelings might become a bit more visible if she finds out I was jealous.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She laughs. “I was only talking to him. Brett’s a good guy.” She looks at me and I see a sparkle in her eye. “I met him in a club and he was really kind to me. He took care of me and helped me back to my place.” I stop moving and stare at her. Her eyes are dancing with humor. She has got the reaction she wanted from me.

“Wait…what? What do you mean he took care of you?” She still has her arms around me.

“Oh…he just stayed the night that’s all.” She just shrugs as if it’s nothing. I can’t believe she has just admitted to sleeping with Brett and doesn’t even looked bothered. I’m getting slightly pissed at her attitude.

“You slept with him?” I gulp and grit my teeth trying not to tighten my arms around her waist. I can feel my blood boiling and this jealous feeling is back with a vengeance. She bursts out laughing. She’s really starting to annoy me now with her blasé attitude.

“What the hell do you find so funny?”

She giggles again and leans toward me. I think she’s going to kiss me, but I’m having none of that.

“Tell me now! I have to know.”

“Okay, okay. Yes, he did stay over, but no we never slept together.” I must looked confused because she continues, “He slept on the couch. I was so wasted that he put me to bed and slept over just to ensure I was okay. It was a sweet gesture really.”

I should actually say thanks to this guy for being such a gentleman. Surely he wanted more to happen? Guys aren’t usually like that. I look down at Tracy and see the smirk on her face. She thinks she’s so funny, leading me on and making me believe that she slept with him. I need to teach her a lesson. I untangle myself from her and grab her hand while dragging her out of the club. We get back to my car, and I realize that I’ve had too much to drink, so I get my cell out and dial for a taxi. It was the first number Brandon made me put into my phone since I haven’t got a car over here.

“We are gonna have to wait for a taxi.” She bats her gorgeous eyelashes.

“Oh, what a shame. I wonder what we can do to pass the time.” She glides her hands up and down my arm and I know what she’s getting at. I pull her close and bury my face in her neck. She smells so fresh and sweet. Placing feather like kisses on her shoulder and neck, I know she’s enjoying it because she moans. I lean against the car and bring her toward me, gliding my hands over her soft, peachy ass and giving it a squeeze. She gasps and I smile against her shoulder.

“Karl?” I pull back and look into her eyes.

“Yeah?”

“Kiss me.”

Smiling, I place a light feathery kiss on her lips before capturing them and deepening the kiss. I love her lips because they are so soft and silky. I squeeze her ass again because I know it will make her gasp and it does so I take that opportunity to plunge my tongue into her mouth. Our tongues gravitate to each other and massage together. I love her whimpering and moaning. I want to feel her skin, so I slide one hand around to her stomach and slide her top up. Her skin is so smooth, and she must like it because she moans. Making my way up to the skin just beneath her bra, I run my finger backward and forward. All I want to do is get back to her place and slam her against the wall while I thrust in and out of her. Thinking about that is making my cock hard, and I know Tracy has sensed it because she starts grinding against my crotch. I groan and deepen the kiss even more. I’m lost in this world that only has me and Tracy in it. It’s so intense, and it take me a few minutes to register the car horn behind us. I break the kiss and look at Tracy. She’s flustered, and her lips look red and swollen. She gazes down and has a slightly mortified look on her face. I look over her shoulder and spot the taxi waiting behind us.