Something Witchy This Way Comes (17 page)

“You’re coming inside, right?”

“No, Hayden, I’m leaving.” I groaned and got out of his car. He followed suit. “Why won’t you give up?”

He stopped beside me at the driver’s side of my Scion. “It’s absolutely fascinating how you pretend not to like me.”

“Wow. Is your ego so inflated that you can’t imagine even one girl being immune to you?”

“I’d almost buy that except I remember the way you kissed me last night. You’re lying. Not only did you
like
our little interlude but you want to do it again.” He smiled confidently.

“There is a possibility that you could be right. That I liked it.
Past tense.
But think about it and think hard. Do you really believe I’d want anything to do with a guy who’d make out with me, then another girl minutes later?”

He studied me a long moment.

Then he swooped.

Without my consent, my mouth opened for his tongue and a lust bomb exploded in my belly, sending ripples of desire to every cell in my body. When I’d first met Hayden, I’d wondered why none of the many girls he’d dated complained when it was over. Now I knew. Who’d complain with kisses like that? He made you feel grateful you got anything at all.

He pulled back and smacked his lips. “I tasted a lie on your lips.”

I forced a condescending smile. “Just because you’re a good kisser and kinda hot automatically means I
like
you?”

Hayden’s eyes narrowed. “You make a good point. But I still don’t believe you.” He looked less certain than a moment ago though.

“Guess what? I don’t care.” Oh, I cared a lot. And my knees trembled for wanting Hayden’s mouth on mine again. He couldn’t know that though. I turned around and searched my purse for my keys.

“They’re not in there.”

I whirled around. “What?”

“You left your purse in the booth at the restaurant. When you and Bree went to the bathroom earlier, I snagged your keys.”

I didn’t know if I should be furious that he’d invaded my purse to steal my stuff or totally turned on that he’d do such a thing because he wanted me to stay. Indignation won out and I gritted my teeth. “Please get them for me. I’ll wait here,” I said as politely as I could manage.

“Fine.” He rummaged through the SUV’s glove box and brought them to me. “Tomorrow at eight-thirty. I’ll pick you up.”

“So we drive in your car and I’m at your mercy all day? Not on your life. I’ll meet you. Where?”

“No, I’ll pick you up. It’s safer that way.”

I shook my head. “Not really.”

He held up his hand, palm out. “I promise. No more sneakiness. We go running, practice fighting, then I take you home. That’s it. I won’t bother you again until it’s time to meet with Chase.”

“Chait.”

The corners of his mouth curled.

“Fine. I’ll see you at my house in the morning,” I said.

“On second thought.” Hayden scratched his chin as though deep in thought. “Maybe you should come here. I’ll probably be out late tonight.”

“Okay, I’ll be here.” I prayed to God there would be a woman in his bed, waiting for me to discover her. I really needed him to do something foul, something to erase the memory of the most recent kiss. “See you later.” I turned.

“Hey.”

I glanced over my shoulder.

His face sobered up. “I’m not comfortable with you over there. I’m really not. Access is too easy for anyone.”

“I can’t sleep here, Hayden,” I said softly. “I can’t.”

He nodded, opening my door for me. I got in and bailed.

Chapter Sixteen

Hayden

I’d finally lost my mind.

I liked the pretty auburn-haired girl that Skyler and Brad had brought to Delia’s. She showed all the signs of being totally into me. If I’d wanted, she’d be waiting in my bed for me right now. Naked and no strings attached. I should’ve taken advantage of my situation. But I couldn’t because it was impossible to stop thinking about Tessa.

She was stunning and witty and funny. The girl of my dreams though? No such girl existed. So why was I acting like she was mine to keep?

Tessa’s Scion rolled to the end of my driveway and disappeared around the corner, and I jumped in the Viper. Minutes later, I opened the door to the basement of my friend’s house where the sounds of partying wafted up to greet me. I let the door shut and descended the steps. My lungs protested as cigarette smoke invaded them.  

“Hayden. My bro.” Brad waved a shot glass full of something caramel colored in front of his face. “Come share.”

“Nah, not tonight. Not in the mood.” Even if I were tempted, getting wasted when Tessa needed guarding didn’t seem smart.

“Hey, Hayd. Watcha doin’?” Scantily dressed Lisa covered my body with hers. She was my go-to girl. Any party where either of us lacked other real prospects, we usually ended up together.

She handed me a bottle. Beer I could handle. Shots, no. I took a sip.

“Just seeing what’s going on.” I smiled at her bleary eyes. Yep. Easy.

“
I’m
goin’ on. Are you ready for me?” She pressed herself closer.

I sat the bottle on a nearby table, took her hand and dragged her into the make-out room. As soon as I closed the door, she pulled me to the bed and placed my hands on her breasts. I filled my hands with them while she worked the zipper on my jeans.

In my fantasy, Tessa’s were nicer. Not as full but perky. Tessa. I mentally shook my head and concentrated on Lisa whose thumbs were about to pull down my jeans. Her mouth found mine, our tongues tangling.

Tessa was a better kisser too. I liked the little sound she made when I’d surprised her with the kiss earlier tonight. And I loved the way she looked at me when she was turned on. She smelled good too, like springtime and fresh laundry.

I rolled over and zipped up my pants.

Lisa blinked. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I kissed her lightly and popped off the bed. “I have to go. Sorry.”

Showing up had been a bad idea. Sleeping with Lisa was perfectly fine. Usually. But to be with her while thinking of someone else? It felt… deceitful. One thing I’d always prided myself on was honesty with girls.

I couldn’t get away fast enough and sped home where nothing could interfere with my thoughts of
her
.

* * * *

Because I’d left the party so early and gone to bed, I woke up before the alarm clock sounded and was ready long before Tessa arrived. I alternated between pacing and checking the time while I waited.

Ten more minutes.

Burned out on pacing, I switched on the television to distract me but it didn’t help.

Damn it. I couldn’t wait to see her.

I leaped up at the knock and flung the door open. “Hey.” I grinned and backed up so she could come in.

She gave a tentative smile. “Good morning. I didn’t expect you to be up already.”

“I went to bed early last night,” I said. She flinched ever so slightly and I hurried on. “I didn’t have company, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

“None of my business.” She casually examined some photos hanging on the wall. “Please don’t feel you have to stop your usual…
activities
on my account.” She gave me a sly smile then returned to the photos. “She had to rush home, huh?”

Sassy little witch.

“No one’s been here but me. I came home
alone
last night and slept by myself.” I moved behind her and brushed her hair off her neck. “But I’m sure you could care less,” I whispered against her skin.

She jolted as if I’d breathed fire. I chuckled. Tessa was full of it if she thought I believed she was unaffected by me.

We were both so screwed.

I could only think of one solution to our problem. But I’d wait for the right time to spring it on her. “You ready to go?”

Without answering, she headed toward the door. I watched her firm ass move with each step. I liked the black pants she wore. Thin and stretchy, molding to every inch of her and giving me a perfect outline.

We’d have to go running often.

I stopped with her at the passenger side of the Viper.

“Good morning, honey.” I looked up to see my mom coming down the driveway, her creepy husband right behind her.

“Hey, Mom.” I flicked a thumb to my left. “This is Tessa. Tessa, my mom Rachel and her husband Sam.”

The creep smiled at Tessa, his eyes darting to me, then her again. It’s a good thing I couldn’t read minds because if I confirmed what I suspected, I’d have to kill him.

“Nice meeting you.” Tessa seemed to shrink back, reaching for the door handle like she needed to flee.

“So nice to meet you,” my mom said, oblivious to her snake-of-a-husband and his ability to repel us. “Where are you guys going so early on a Sunday?”

“Running.” I would’ve loved to spend more time with my mom but she was always with Sam. Since I couldn’t stand to be around him, I avoided her. I glanced at Tessa again. She looked pained, shrinking against the door, as though the car could block out Sam’s thoughts. I took the hint. “We should get going.”

“Have a nice day.” My mom beamed and disappeared into the house with Sam.

I opened the car door for Tessa. “Figured maybe you might want to do something together Friday or Saturday, whatever night you’re not working.”

She’d been about to climb inside, but froze. “You mean like just you and me?”

“Yeah, why not?”

“I’ll tell you why not.” Her tone hinted that I should prepare myself for a smart-ass remark. “It seems like only a couple days ago that you kissed me and someone else the same night. Oh, wait. It
was
a couple days ago.” Her mouth formed a straight line.

“Tessa, I’m not like that anymore. I haven’t been with anyone since.”

“You mean you’ve gone a whole two days without? God, how have you survived it?” Sarcasm dripped from her words.

“That’s a long time for me,” I mumbled, my gaze falling to the concrete of the driveway.

“I don’t get it.” She exhaled in a whoosh, as though I’d exhausted her patience. “Why bother? There are so many girls dying to be with you. Choose one, scratch the itch and move on. Like you always have.”

Shoving my hands in my pocket, I forced the next words out. “I tried. Didn’t work out.”

Her brows rose. “Do tell.”

Inwardly, I groaned. Opening myself up this way made me feel vulnerable. But I couldn’t let Tessa think I wanted anyone but her. “Last night, I went to Skyler’s. This girl was all over me, but I couldn’t do it.”

She grimaced. “You mean like you
couldn’t
…”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I could have, I’m sure.” I growled softly. “I didn’t
want
to. I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

Tessa didn’t look flattered at my confession. She just stared, then abruptly got inside the car.

I closed the door and rounded the hood.

“Well, the good news is that this attraction you think you feel for me can’t last forever. Pretty soon, you’ll be wondering why you were ever interested in me. However, my humiliation at being used by you will last a lifetime. That alone is enough to keep you at a safe distance.”

“It’s not like that with you,” I muttered, starting the engine.

“Whatever you
think
you feel isn’t real, Hayden. I’m not who you want. You want someone like Christina or Back Up Plan or the girl from last night. They’ll take good care of you.”

I bowed my head, knowing it was pointless. Why couldn’t she see that it was different with her? Different
because
of her. “I don’t want them. I want
you
.”

“Well, pardon me if I have a hard time believing that,” she snapped.

After a few moments, we paused at a stop sign and I felt compelled to try again. I had to. “Skyler’s parents are out of town this weekend. He’s throwing a party Saturday night. If you’re not working, maybe you can stop by. Lots of people around will make it feel less like a date, right?” I doubted she’d go but if she told me she about her plans, I could
accidentally
show up wherever she went. If she didn’t volunteer any information, I would listen carefully all week to see if she slipped.

Me, Mr. Stalker? Absolutely.

“Your mom seems nice,” Tessa said, changing the subject. “But Sam is a total sleaze.”

I held up my hand, my jaw clenching involuntarily. “I don’t want to know what he was thinking.”

She sighed. “I wish I didn’t know. Why is your mom with him? You think she loves him? Is it like a money thing or something?”

I gave a short laugh. “Don’t know what she sees in him but it’s not money. She was loaded before she ever met him.”

“You think she’s scared to leave him?”

I glanced briefly at her. “You tell
me
.”

“Not sure. It was difficult to get anything from her with all his—”

“Don’t want to know. I already have a hard time not squashing him, Tessa.”

“I don’t blame you,” she mumbled, looking out the window. “If he’s your step-dad, why do you have the same last name?”

“He adopted me right after they got married. Cool, huh?” I scoffed.

“Yeah, super cool. What happened to your real dad?”

“When he went to jail, my mom coerced him into giving up all rights to me. That was way back when she still had balls. I don’t know what happened to her since then.”

“Why is he in jail?” Tessa asked.

“Money stuff. Fraud, embezzlement. Every scam you could think of.”

“Is that how your family got rich?”

“No. My mom comes from old money. And thank God she was smart enough to have my dad and Sam both sign pre-nups. If she dumped Sam, he’d be broke.” I spared Tessa a glance as I navigated the narrow street to the park. “I have to restrain myself every single day not to toss his ass out of the house.”

“Well.” She turned to me when the car stopped. “Maybe
you shouldn’t hold back.”

Which meant that she’d plucked fetid garbage from his head. I didn’t want to know. I exited the Viper and tried not to think about that.