Hyde and Seek (8 page)

I might not be able to taste much, but at least I could taste freedom.

Alexander placed an individual Crème brûlée in front of me and I could’ve kissed him. It was heavenly but also very rich and sweet. He knew I’d only be able to eat a few bites even if I could have more. He winked when I grinned up at him before going back to serving the desserts.

I slowly drank the last of my wine, setting the glass far enough away that he’d know I was done. I savored my three bites, trying not to bounce as I awaited my opportunity to leave.

After the first couple left, I took my opening. Carefully standing, as three inch heels and four glasses of wine could be dangerous, I turned to James. “I’m rather tired.”

And rather bored outta my damn mind.

“Please, stay and enjoy,” I said, forcing a smile. “I’m going to call for a ride.”

“I’m ready to go, Piper.” He stood and turned to thank my parents.

I dutifully kissed the air near Thomas’ cheek before heading towards the door. Unfortunately, my smooth escape was foiled when my mother stopped me.

“Remember what I said about James. And, for goodness sake, hair back when you see him next,” she whispered in my ear as she hugged me.

I’d planned to call Ray to come get me but she lived over a half-hour away. As much as I didn’t want to spend more time with James, I was glad I didn’t have to wait for a ride. I’d have started walking.

Once I’d moved out, I didn’t necessarily
like
returning here but it had been tolerable. The past few visits, however, I’d begun to feel trapped and claustrophobic.

As I walked towards the door, I felt the familiar lack of air, as if the walls were closing in on me.

I need to get out before the house swallows me.

“Piper, are you okay?” James asked. “You look pale.”

“Yes, I’m fine. Just tired.”

When the valet pulled the car up, I got in, anxious to get home. It hadn’t even been three hours since I’d left my house, but it seemed like days.

James chatted as he drove, though I stayed quiet. I couldn’t seem to find the energy to pretend to care about his work. I felt rude, but he didn’t seem to mind filling the silence.

About two minutes from my house, his tone turned serious. “I know your mother has been pushing me at you. I don’t want you to feel like you have to see me but I’d love to take you out to dinner. One not at your parents’ house.”

Fuck.

“I think you’re great,” I started, and even I knew it sounded like a blow-off. Which was exactly what it was. “I just don’t think either of us is right for the other.”

“What makes you say that?”

“I’m not the same person away from my parents. My life isn’t just a rebellion against my mother. It’s who I am, and, though I can’t see the future, my best bet is that this is how I’ll always be. I’m not dinner-party-Piper. I’m rock ‘n’ roll-party-Piper.”

Don’t forget makeout-and-have-a-sleepover-with-a-badass-Piper.

James nodded. “Maybe I’d like that Piper, too. If you need to think about it, that’s fine. All I ask is you give me the chance to decide for myself.”

My romantic life wasn’t wild but there had always been a decent enough amount of interest. However, two men telling me they were into me in twenty-four hours was definitely a personal record.

On the downside, neither of them were the one that I wanted. Although, Rhys was a whole lot closer to my type than James.

“Okay, I’ll think about it,” I lied. I knew I wouldn’t be putting the thought into him that I would with Rhys. I had zero romantic feelings towards James, and there was no spark between us that hinted at anything developing.

I honestly doubted that his interest in me went much beyond how it would secure his career and future with Thomas’ company. My dilemma came from how to tell him without making it tense and weird whenever we saw each other.

Why is it not acceptable to run away from awkward situations, flailing my arms and screaming like a certain green frog puppet does?

I was trying not to giggle as I pictured that when James regained my attention.

“Piper, do you know that man?” James asked, guardedly.

I looked in my driveway to see a sweet hog next to my Charger. Though facing the other way, I definitely knew that man. I’d spent a lot of time trying not to think about him.

I’d also failed miserably at it.

“Yes, that’s Jake.”

“Are you in some sort of trouble? I know your mother said you were being stubborn about money, but if you’re in trouble—”

“No!” I interrupted. I’d have laughed at the obvious presumption and misperception of Jake, if it weren’t sad. It was also the perfect example of why James and I would never happen. “I’m definitely not in trouble.”

I didn’t think I was, at least. However, the look on Jake’s face as he watched us pull in made me think twice.

“Are you dating a biker?” James looked at me as if the idea was insane.

“No, James. Jake is a friend.”

One that is incredibly hot, makes me think some very
un
-friend like things, and kisses me until I forget my own name.

James put the car in park and opened his door. He got out and hurried to my side.

Jake beat him to it, though, throwing open my door and grabbing my hand to haul me out. He kept hold of me as he closed the door with a bit more force than was probably required.

I turned to face James, but felt Jake close behind me.

James was all soft and safe niceness. Tall enough at five foot eleven, he had plain, sandy colored hair and brown eyes, though his weren’t quite as warm as Eli’s.

He was safe.

Nice.

Boring.

My mother was out of her damned mind to think that James was who I’d choose. That safe and boring was all I wanted in life. I’d had more than enough of that.

I wanted wild.

“Uh, James, this is my friend Jake. Jake, this is James.”

The men gave chin lifts to each other.

Alright, moving on.

“Thank you for tonight, James,” I said, lifting just slightly to give him a polite kiss on the cheek. It ended up as an air one when Jake used his hold on my hand to pull me back.

“You’re welcome,” James said. Hesitantly, he glanced at Jake, then back at me. “Would you like me to stay for coffee?”

If you don’t leave soon, I will literally push you into your car. Don’t test me!

“That’s okay. Thanks.”

“If you’re sure. Let me know if you need anything. And, please, think about what we talked about, alright?”

“Have a nice night, James.”

Jake turned and walked us to my front door without giving me the chance to wave James off.

When I grabbed my keys from my clutch, Jake took them from me, opening the door and pulling me in.

“What’s he want you to think about?” he asked when we got inside.

“Hi, Jake. How are you? How’s your evening going?”

“Cute. What’s he want?”

“Uhh, about the same as Rhys last night.”

“He wants time with you?”

“He didn’t word it like that, but that was the gist of it. Where are the guys?” I attempted to switch topics.

“Out at The Noise. Why?”

The Noise was supposed to be the best biker bar in the area. One I hoped to visit in a few months when my ID would get me in.

“I thought you were going out with them. Everything alright?”

“Yeah, just makin’ sure you got home.”

I held my arms out. “Well, as you can see, I did. Go enjoy your night.”

“Babe?” I could hear amusement in his voice, and the corners of his lips were twitching, as if he were fighting a smile.

“What?”

“What the fuck are you wearin’?”

“A dress?”

“I got that. But it’s fuckin’ boring.”

“I’m boring.”

“No, you’re anythin’ but.”

“I am. I’m totally boring.” I opened the door. “Thank you for checking on me, Jake. It was very sweet of you. Have fun tonight.”

His arm looped around my waist as he suddenly pulled me to him. “Piper?”

“Hmm?” I mumbled, unable to form words with his body pressed to mine.

“Why don’t you kiss me like you do everyone else?”

“What do you mean?” I had no issue with kissing him. I’d totally do it.

A lot.

All over.

Do that now!

“Everyone else gets a kiss when you say thank you.”

Going up on my tiptoes, my body slid against his. I pulled him down slightly and pressed a kiss to his cheek, feeling his scruff against my lips.

I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe I was focused on the wrong thing. Sure, running my fingers over his scruff would probably feel awesome. Feeling my lips on it, though, was near orgasmic.

“Better?” I asked, happy to sound steady when I felt far from it.

“Not yet,” he answered as I yawned. “Tired?”

I nodded. “And tipsy.”

“You drank?”

“Yeah, a glass of wine. Or four.”

“That’d do it. Go get some sleep.”

I nodded, intending to do just that. Giving in to my drunken impulse, I went back up on my tiptoes. I lightly pressed my lips to his before sliding back down. “Thank you, Jake.”

His eyes went hooded, his voice huskier. “Now that? That I like.”

“Me, too.”

Jake brought his hand up to cup my cheek.

I held my breath, silently willing him to kiss me again.

“Sweet dreams, Piper,” he rumbled, before turning and walking to his bike.

I was drunk enough to call out to him. Drunk enough to ask him to stay the night with me again. To want him to kiss me, to touch me, to make me feel wild.

I was sober enough, though, to know better.

So I did the smart thing and stayed quiet as I watched him leave.

If only the smart thing was also the fun thing.

Chapter Three

^Groupie

When I woke up the next morning, I was surprised to see it was almost eleven. It’d been a while since I’d slept in so late. The best part was that I didn’t have to jump out of bed in a rush.

There were no cakes to bake or homework to do. I had to sketch some designs, but I already had some clear visuals in my head.

I grabbed my phone and burrowed back into my blankets to enjoy the rare opportunity to be lazy. I reviewed some waiting emails, but all of them were business that didn’t need to be taken care of right away. I clicked to check texts.

The first waiting message made me feel guilty.

Dana was one of the only people from my mother’s side of my life that I could stand. We weren’t close, but we were kind of friends. I’d been so caught up with cakes and school that I’d barely talked to her.

Dana:
Wasn’t last night your date with the dreamy James? How’d it go?

Only Dana would describe James as ‘dreamy’.

Me:
It wasn’t a date. Just dinner at my mother’s. We barely talked.

Dana:
Are you seeing him again?

Me:
He works for Thomas, I’m sure I’ll see him often.

Dana:
You know what I mean. You’ve gotta hook him soon, Piper. I don’t even get how he’s still single. He’s young, he’s attractive, and he’s successful. Plus, he seems to tolerate your… you-ness.

Ahh, isn’t that what every chick dreams of? A guy who totally tolerates them for who they are. Excuse me while I start knitting booties for all the babies that we’re going to tolerate together.

Me:
Yeah, he does seem to do that. Anyway, I gotta get in the shower. I’ll talk to you later.

Dana:
We have to get together, maybe tonight?

Me:
Probably not tonight, but soon.

Dana might be a friend, but hanging with her could be draining. She was competitive about everything and constantly needed to outdo everyone. Last time we’d had lunch, she’d switched between badmouthing her other friends, discussing her diet, and making constant mention of her money and shopping.

She wasn’t always the easiest person to hang out with but she’d never been quite this bad before. Unfortunately, she was unreceptive when I’d tried to gently broach the subject.

On my rare day off, I didn’t want to deal.