Shark Bait (The Grab Your Pole Series) (45 page)

I added the part “There Can Be Only One,” it’s a tagline from the movie or TV show
Highlander
, which doesn’t actually have anything to do with Tristan or me, I just like the phrasing. It sounds way better than something like “Don’t forget you’re in a committed relationship now and can’t go off and screw random girls anymore.” The tattoo Tristan is doing on me is
way
better and more detailed…I think he might be adding flames and stuff to it right now. Anyway, just thought I’d share my hideous artistic ability with you.

“Um, where was I? Oh yeah… Plus, there isn’t anything about us being together that isn’t extremely intense in some way, you know? Regardless of what’s goin’ on, there’s always been electricity between us…like static electricity, we’re just drawn to each other. It was even like that for me over the summer and I didn’t know a damned thing about you... Honestly Camie, I think if you’d ever seen me one of those times, we’d have gotten together on the spot.”

“Really? Because you pretty much ignored me my first week and I definitely saw you that first morning. And you know, it’s kinda funny you used electricity to describe it because that’s exactly what I remember feeling the first time I saw you…I remember feeling like I’d been jolted by lightning and then in the ocean too, but that was even more profound…I was thinking we would’ve made Ben Franklin jealous.”

You know, he’s always made me distinctly nervous in so many ways, but when it comes right down to it, I’ve also always been very comfortable with him. It’s a total conundrum that I just can’t explain, but I think that’s why I’ve always been able to talk to him and not sound like a blithering idiot.

He stopped drawing on me to laugh. “Yeah, I got zapped pretty fuckin’ hard when I grabbed your arm to keep you from falling that morning, but don’t forget, I had a good head start and once you showed up for real, I was well on my way to being totally freaked out by you, so that’s primarily why I went slow and ignored you in the beginning. Also, I wasn’t sure what you were actually like as a person so I didn’t wanna dive in headfirst and then find out you were a shallow bitch, because that would’ve sucked.

And yeah, I almost came unglued that time in the ocean…and then when I kissed you and everything just sorta melted away, I didn’t know what the fuck to think. I’m honestly surprised I even heard my phone ring. Really Camie, there’s weird chemistry between us.”

And now I have Oingo Boingo’s song “Weird Science” as well as scenes from the movie playing in my head…talk about being weird.

“You really have no idea the amount of self control and restraint I’ve maintained over the last month…”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, let’s see…I’ve wanted to kill Zack from the very first day, then I made myself leave the football game you went to with Derek for similar reasons, and then all I wanted to do at that first party was drag you off somewhere away from the mass of people. Then at Mike’s I was pretty irritated with Wayne and those guys for being where no one should’ve been, but I did semi-seriously consider talking you into joining that strip poker game (I
knew
it!), which I’m still kinda regretting not doing (of course he is…), and all of that was only the first week.

“The next week was worse because I had a better idea of what you were like and that episode by Pete’s pool was such a great opportunity, I couldn’t resist, but then you started taking your clothes off...I had such mixed feelings about where I wanted to go with that...and
then
you actually asked me to take your fuckin’ pants off! You nearly killed me with that you know.”

I love that he’s being honest and everything, but I’d be lying if I said that he’s instilling the belief that he’s not all about sex at this point…which I
know
he’s not, I just can’t seem to get past my concern that he’ll bail if I don’t give in relatively soon.

“Okay, you just got really quiet, what’s wrong?”

I sighed in response.

“Come on, Camie, we’re talking so just spit it out…I know something’s buggin’ you.”

“Well, I don’t want you to feel like you can’t be open with me about stuff, but…” I couldn’t finish. I totally want us to be able to talk about everything, but I really don’t want to sound so prudish…it’s kind of embarrassing. I mean, here he is with
so
much more experience, and well, I guess I’m just afraid to sound stupid or that he’ll think I’m being immature.

“Alright, I think I know what this is about. Camie, look…I’m not an idiot, I know there’s a part of you that gets a little nervous about…how did you put it earlier? Oh yeah, my proclivities. I don’t know why that is and I really don’t think you need to be, and I
know
I don’t want you to be, but here’s the thing, we need to be able to talk to each other without it being weird.”

He has a point.

“Okay, you’re right. I just don’t wanna come off sounding, I don’t know…like a total prude I guess, but I do get a little freaked out about your level of experience compared to mine…I mean for the love of God, you were the first person I’ve ever even kissed! So I guess I’m just afraid you have expectations I’m not prepared to meet right now and probably won’t be for quite some time.”

Whew!
I said it. Wow, that was really hard… I watched Tristan’s face as that somewhat embarrassing, but pertinent, information I’d divulged sank in, and for some reason, I was a sort of taken aback when one side of his mouth lifted slowly into a “cat who just ate the canary” type of grin while his eyes both sparkled and deepened almost imperceptibly. I don’t know what reaction I was expecting, but it wasn’t that.

“Um, you’re kinda just staring at me…and since you wanna talk without it being weird, it’s your turn to tell me what’s going through your mind.” God, I really hope I didn’t make a mistake in telling him that.

“Ahh, several things actually.” He stopped to clear his throat and then continued. “First, I certainly wouldn’t call you a prude…that would be just as ridiculous as it is completely untrue. And as far as my expectations go…well, you’ve already exceeded them so you can quit stressing. I’ve been waiting for somebody like you for a really long time and I’ll be damned if I let myself screw this up by wanting more than what I’ve already been given.”

I’m kind of stunned. I mean really, that was very touching and I’m finding myself actually holding back some tears… I did however take note of the fact that he hadn’t mentioned anything about my candidacy for having a white wedding. And yes, now Billy Idol’s voice has replaced Danny Elfman’s. You know, my head is like a freaking disco sometimes. Maybe I should think about hanging a sparkly ball in there.

Anyhow, Tristan had said several things were going through his mind but he only told me two. And well, since we’re talking...

“You’re editing again, what didn’t you tell me?”

He chuckled.

My face started to heat up.

“I think God has a wicked sense of humor, Camie.”

“How so?”

“Well, don’t you find it just a little bit twisted that He made a ah…promiscuous reprobate and a chaste ingénue rather perfect for each other, threw them together without warning and then for kicks, He tossed in an inordinate amount of sexual attraction and tension into the mix? It’s like He’s created His own warped version of Thunderdome. I’ll bet He’s even got Himself a bag of popcorn.”

I couldn’t help laughing at the truth of Tristan’s description and in case you didn’t grasp what he just did there, I’ll explain. He’s using his more than decent vocabulary and movie knowledge to be polite. Allow me to translate: Chaste = Virginal. Ingénue = Innocent or inexperienced girl. Promiscuous reprobate = Um, well…pretty much the opposite. Thunderdome = A Mel Gibson movie entitled
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
in which two men enter a giant cage and fight until one of them is dead.

“I can
totally
see that…but um…does my lack of experience bother you?” I’m kind of hesitant to know the answer to this but he’s right, there’s too much potential for awkwardness between us so we need to get this stuff out of the way.

He chuckled again and his eyes grew one more shade darker.

My palms started to tingle.

“Honestly Camie, it
really
does, just not in the way you’re thinking.”

“Explain please.” Damn. I knew it would bother him, but what I don’t understand is how it could bother him in any other way than what I’m thinking.

“Alright, well first of all I’m sure you’re thinking I was irritated or disappointed or something to that effect by what you told me.” Right again…
ugh
. “But here’s the thing…I wouldn’t have had a clue I was the first guy to ever kiss you let alone all the rest of it if you hadn’t enlightened me. So was I surprised by what you told me? Definitely. Irritated? Hell no. Disappointed? Not in the least. Totally turned on?
More than ever
.

“What I mean, Camie, is I don’t think you can truly appreciate how hot I find the fact that no one else has ever touched you…really, it makes me want you just that much more. And
that’s
why I know God must be laughing His ass off right now. Hell, He just watched me sign a damned contract that essentially guarantees I’ll be spending the foreseeable future being
completely
sexually frustrated and learning patience of all things.”

Oddly enough, I don’t feel embarrassed or vulnerable anymore. I think what Tristan just gave me wasn’t just a verbal reassurance. He gave me power. Over him. And judging from his expression, he not only knows it, but he did it on purpose. He just willingly, albeit not in these exact words, told me that he’s completely at my mercy. And, he’s okay with it.

I started giggling. A lot.

Tristan turned the underside of his wrist over and checked the time on his watch. Then he hauled me to my feet and gave me a warning before shoving me into the passenger seat of his car.

“Be careful, Camie… Lemme just remind you that I’m not without my own power over you. I remember perfectly well why
you
want the first base part of our contract and if you don’t play fair, I might be tempted to use your weakness to my advantage. Even though I’m gonna make a concerted effort to adhere to your guidelines, it’s not always the best idea to tease someone who knows the rules better…I’m just sayin’.”

Well maybe he’s not quite as okay with it as I first thought, but still…

“You wouldn’t…”

“Try me.”

“Tristan, I’m
so
not gonna dare you to seduce me.” I’d lose. In a big way,
and
in a hurry.

“Ah well, see that’s a whole other game…wanna play?”

I started laughing again because his eyes are back to normal and totally sparkling so I know I’m out of the woods. “Only if you’re cool with me choosing truth every time.”

“Actually, I’m good either way…there’s something I’m dying to know, but I don’t want you freaking out, so…truth or dare?”

Shit.

So I’m either dared to do something I’m not ready for, but will probably enjoy, or I’ll have to tell him something that he thinks I’ll freak out about. What to do, what do to...

“You’re a total pain in the ass…okay, truth.” Hopefully it won’t be that bad. I would’ve chosen dare, only to mess with him, but we’ll be back at school any minute.

“So says the pot of the kettle.”

“Just ask your damned question.” He actually just called me a pain in the ass as well, the big loveable jerk.

“Alright, no freaking out… How did you know about the cheerleader?”

Ah. Well I’ve totally moved past that so I’m in no danger of freaking out, but I think I’ll have a little fun with him. “I’ll tell you, but you have to tell me something first.”

He started laughing and then gave me a grin that warmed the cockles of my heart. That’s right, I said cockles. “That’s my girl, already breaking the rules of the game…not that I’m gonna necessarily play along, but what do I have to tell you first?”

“Well, I kinda feel bad calling her ‘the cheerleader’ so, I’ll tell you how I know about her if you can tell me what her name is.”

“Easy.”

“Tristan!”

He started cracking up. “That’s not what I meant! It’s true, but totally not what I meant… Are you sure you wanna know?”

“You’re the one who wanted to play…”

“True. Alright, her name is Samantha. Now, how’d you know? Was it Jeff or Kate?”

“What do you plan on doing to whoever it was?”

“Umm. Nothing?”

“Tristan…”

“Okay, I won’t inflict any bodily damage, but can I at least shout at them?”

“Fine by me. In fact, you’ll need to in order to be heard…”

“Huh?”

“Well, you don’t really know the person who told me.”

“Explain.”

“It was Derek’s friend, Brandon.”

“Are you fuckin’ kidding me?”

“Nope. I didn’t know you guys kinda know each other so I brought Derek to that game to torment y—”

“Nice. It actually worked better that I did know him, especially after seeing you with him over the summer.”

“Thanks.”

I’m not ready to throw my cousin under the bus for having aided and abetted me in my scheme so that’s why I’m not telling Tristan that Derek had actually been
in
on the torment, and why I simply accepted his compliment without further explanation and continued.

“Anyway, he brought Brandon along and when I mentioned your name, he told both Derek and me about your um...grand slam…you’re Brandon’s hero by the way.”

“Beautiful. How did he find out? Because if memory serves, she didn’t want her boyfriend finding out…”

“She’s a girl, Tristan. Girls talk to their best friends.”

“Brandon’s her best friend?” For being as smart as he is, this just goes to show how dense guys can be sometimes…hilarious.

“No, you dork. Sara is and—you know what, here… I’ll show you.”

I pulled my phone out and brought up the infamous email that Brandon copied himself on, which he then forwarded to Derek, who in turn forwarded it to me without having been asked. Then I handed Tristan my phone after he pulled into the parking lot of school. Originally, I’d been too afraid to read it when Derek sent it to me, then there was that whole thing with invading Tristan’s privacy, and after that…well, I kind of forgot about it until now so all I still know is what Brandon blabbed.