Whiskey Lullaby (17 page)

Coming Soon: Bethany and Brandon’s story.

Derek

Dawn Martens

Rylie Sullivan hasn’t had an easy life. She is broken, so broken she doesn’t think she will ever be fixed. When she meets Derek, he barges into her life and tries to break down the walls she has so carefully construed to keep what’s left of her safe. When Rylie’s past mixes with her present, will Derek stand by her and help her survive? Or will he bail for the next pretty thing?
Derek Tremaine has had it easy. Coming from a wealthy family and blessed with good looks, Derek has breezed through life. After years of one night stands, and a few half ass attempts at relationships, Derek has almost given up on ever finding the woman for him. When he sees Rylie however, he can’t help but be drawn to her. Rylie is different, more so than any other person Derek has met. Rylie’s beauty- her tattoos, piercings and beautiful blonde dreads drew him in, but it’s her sweet, kind nature that makes him want to stay around and protect her. Winning Rylie’s heart will be his greatest challenge yet, but Derek knows the reward will be more than worth it. 
Which is why Derek has no intentions of letting her go.

Prologue

The heavy beat of the bass being expelled from the club’s sound system, pulsates through my body as my girls and I roll our gyrating hips against each other, in time with 50 Cents hit-
In Da Club
. The club is packed to the brim with slick, sweaty bodies; causing, a heavy scent of sex to form and hang in the air above the withering crowd. We’ve had a hell of a time tonight while celebrating my promotion. I finally got the head chair at Envy Salon that I have been coveting for years. It may not be a glamorous promotion for some, but it is for me, because it’s the best thing that I’ve had happen to me in a while. I deserve this celebration.

As I pull away from my girls, I start to dance in a slow circle of my own, while roaming my eyes around the barely lit club and watching the others express themselves with their bodies. Slowly swaying my hips back and forth to the hypnotic beat, I bend forward and smoothly execute the perfect body roll; feeling, sexy while my long blonde hair flows down my back. I lean my head back and raise my arms above my head while continuing to dance in my own little world.

Tonight I decided to wear black stilettos and a sleek black V-neck dress that shows off my creamy pale skin, highlighting my best curves, and giving a small hint of what lies beneath. It drives all the boys crazy-at least that’s what I’ve been told.

A small trickle of sweat makes its way from the base of my neck down to the small of my back, so I decide that it’s time to take a break, and slowly weave my way through the mass of entwined bodies and make my way over to the bar for a drink.

I never have to bring my credit card or cash when I go out, because I always have drinks offered to me from men, who are appreciative of what they see. Not to sound cocky or anything, but I look damn good and I regularly use it to my advantage at the club, because alcohol isn’t cheap! Most of the time I let them think that they actually have a chance at getting a night alone with me, but in reality, there is no way in hell they’ll be getting anywhere near my panties.

Finally making it to the bar top, I smile at the bartender and lean on to the counter. Being that it’s a busy night, I already know that I have plenty of time to work my way in to a free drink, so I turn around and lean my back on to the bar top and watch the antics that are going on out on the dance floor. A few minutes later, I decide to turn back around to see what the bartender situation is, when I see a man standing off in the corner of the bar surrounded by a group, of what looks to be, his friends. I move my eyes over his fit physique and am shocked to meet his gaze as my eyes finally make their way up to his face. He’s boldly stares back at me; looking, as if he wants to eat me up. Damn. Who is that gorgeous man? I’ve never seen him here before.

His skin is the color of milk chocolate and from what I can see of his body, there isn’t an ounce of fat anywhere on it. Holy… shit. His broad shoulders, shaved head, and pitch black eyes, give me a dark feeling in the pit of my stomach. It’s obvious that this man is beautiful, but something tells me that he also has a bad boy side to him that he keeps under wraps. Basically, he’s just my type. My shameless ogling comes to a halt as I watch him say something to his friends, then prowl towards my spot at the bar. My heart picks up its rhythm as I watch him carefully move through the jam packed bar, and before I know it, he’s standing in front of me with a touch of swag in his stance.

“I’ve been watching you all night.”

“Oh yeah?” I purr, as I push my body against his.

“Did you see anything you liked?” I ask while moving my hands to the lapels of his shirt and tugging him even closer to my body.

“With the way you move girl…you know damn well I liked what I saw.” He tells me as he bends down and moves his mouth dangerously close to my lips.

“Why don’t you dance with me, and maybe I’ll let you buy me a drink.” I whisper along his thick lips, before I tag his hand, and turn us around to face the dance floor.

“Alright, but I’ll make sure you get more than a drink from me, beautiful,” he whispers in to my ear as we make our way to the center of crowd.

His words send a shiver through my spine, and heat begins to radiate between my legs. Oh my god! I don’t think I’ve ever meet anyone that I wanted to have sex with as bad as I do this man, right now. We finally make our way to an opening on the floor as the first beat of
Your Love Is My Drug
by Ke$ha, begins to flow through the air.

Circling my arms around the man’s neck, I realize that I never even asked him for his name.

“Excuse me for being rude, I forgot to ask you what your name was before I dragged you out here. I’m Rylie.” I say into his ear, hoping that he can make my words out as the loud beat begins to pick up and vibrate throughout the entire club.

“Caleb,” is all he says before slowly turning me around and pressing my backside along his front. We spend the rest of the night in that position, and with every rub of his hand along the inside of my hip, I get even more excited about what’s going to happen tonight when I take him home.

Around two in the morning, we make our way back to my apartment in a mad rush of gropes and tongues.  I can’t wait to have this man inside of me. I want to watch those smooth, thick muscles work my body into a frenzy. It’s all I can do to pull away from him long enough to unlock the door and the deadbolt of my apartment.

Finally when we’re inside, I all but throw myself on top him and begin to tug on his clothes. I’m apparently going to be the aggressor tonight because Caleb breathlessly pulls away from my mouth and places his forehead on mine while holding my wrists in his grasp.

“Wait,” he says through a shuddering breath, “I want to get to know you.”

What the fuck?
How about no! Naturally, I’d pick the only man with a conscious to bring home. Way to go, Rylie.

“Um okay? This is weird,” I respond with a laugh and to try to hide my frustration.

“Trust me. When we finally get together, the wait will have been worth it.” He says as he touches my face and smiles. “Let’s get to know each other first, beautiful.”

“Alright,” I laugh at his comment and try to figure out, in my head, how I’m going to get this creeper out of my apartment. But if he wants to talk, let’s talk. Maybe when he hears about how fucked up my life has been, he’ll bail on his own accord.

I lead him to my couch and we sit down. He ends up telling me about his life, before asking me any questions about mine. And for some reason, I tell him everything. He laughs when he finds out how sexually frustrated I was feeling earlier, but promises me that he’d do all sorts of wonderful things to my body when we finally get down to business. To my surprise, he makes me comfortable. You know that saying, love at first sight? I think it may be true because looking at him now, as he walks from my building to his car, I realize that I’m starting to feel something deep for him. I love how he made me feel tonight. It was nice to be able to open up myself to someone, and not have them judge me, about my past.

Maybe this man will be good for me…

Windows

By: Emily Minton

Lucas Beck crawled through Melinda James’ window every night. Each time, gaining a piece of her heart and leaving a bit of his behind.
Lucas was in love with the girl next door, but he ruined any chance he had of making her his. So, he moved on without her.
Lindy gave her heart to the boy next door, but he left her humiliated and heartbroken. So, she started a new life without him. 
They both head off to college, leaving the other behind. Lucas finds success then misery on the Football field. Lindy finds new love, but it never feels quite right. 
Years later, Lucas and Lindy find themselves back in their hometown. Will Lindy open her window again and give Lucas another chance?

Prologue

I feel uncomfortable, as soon as we walk through the door.  "Can you tell me again, why we are here?" I ask Tara, as we make our way through the party. 

"Come on Lindy.  It's our last night before we leave for college.  We need to have some fun." She answers, knowing that this is in no way my idea of fun. 

You could ask anyone here, and they would tell you that Melinda James did not go to parties.  Not only were parties just not my thing, these kids didn't want me here either.  They all hated me; they always have. 

I'm known as the weird girl from Warrington High.  I'm quiet, I like to read and I'm really smart. I'm the one that all the teachers use as an example. 

"Melinda, will you come up here and show the others how you completed problem twenty-six?"

"Melinda, can you please tell everyone your answer for question nine?"

"I want you all to listen to Melinda's essay.  You should all strive to write like this."

You can imagine how that affected my social life.  If that’s not bad enough, I'm also fat.  I'm not one of those girls that just says she's fat, I really am.  I'm only five foot three and weigh nearly two hundred pounds.  I also wear really thick glasses.  I've tried contacts.  They just don't work for me.   Add all that together and I don't have a social life at all.

Tara and Lucas are my only friends.  In fact, they are the only people that even talk to me.  Well, Lucas only talks to me when we are at home.  But, at least he doesn't pick on me at school like everyone else does.

Lucas and I grew up together. We've lived next door to each other, our entire life.  Our moms have been best friends, since before we were even born.  Our dads were both cops and were partners for years, but my dad was shot during a routine traffic stop.  I was only nine at the time. The person who did it still hasn’t been caught, but I know they are still looking.    Lucas' dad, Paul, says a fellow officer’s death is never forgotten.  Since dad died, Paul has stepped in as kind of a second dad.  I would love to have my father back, but Paul is the best substitute father in the world. 

After my father’s death, Tara's dad became Paul's partner.  Her mom became friends with my mom and Lucas' mom, Wanda. So, us kids ended up being stuck with each other all the time.  It didn’t take long for Lucas, Tara, and I become the best of friends. We were always together.  Our moms even called us the three musketeers.  But, things changed as we got older.

Lucas is the most popular guy in school.  He is our school’s quarter back, and he's headed to the University of Alabama on a full ride. Lucas is also the most gorgeous boy that I have ever seen.  His hair is so dark brown that it is nearly black and his eyes are so blue that they remind me of the sky on a clear day. He has a body that drives all the girls crazy.   

Over the last few years, he has definitely pulled away from Tara and me.  He acts like he doesn’t even know me at school, and if he sees me out somewhere he never even says hi. Lucas may not talk to me around everyone else, but we still spend a lot of time together, when we are both at home.  He climbs through my window almost every night.  We talk about everything.  Well, almost everything.  He doesn't know that I am totally in love with him. 

Tara keeps saying that I should tell him, before we leave for college. She says that if he knew how I felt, things might be different.   That is exactly what I am afraid will happen.  What if he laughs at me or worse?  He could quit being my friend.  I don't even want to think about that happening.

Tara just does not understand.  She is also popular.  Not like Lucas, but in a geeky sort of way.  She’s smart, but not nerdy like me.  Nope!  Tara is a band geek.  She lives and breathes band. She would probably be an outsider like me too, but she is absolutely beautiful.  She has long golden brown hair, big hazel eyes, and is the perfect size six. So, she can get away with being a geek.

Tara and I are leaving for Auburn tomorrow.   I chose Auburn, because they offered me an academic scholarship.  I was ecstatic when I learned that Tara would be coming with me.   They gave Tara a spot in their marching band.  So, she is as excited as I am.  The only bad part is that I won't being seeing Lucas until Thanksgiving break. 

I look around the party, and people are everywhere.  Their all drinking and being loud.  I start to feel even more uncomfortable. My breath is coming fast, and I know that I am on the verge of hyperventilating.   I need to get out of here for a minute.

"Where’s the bathroom?" I ask Tara. 

"Up the stairs.  It's on the right.  I think it’s the second door."  She answers, shaking her head at me. She knows that I'm just making an excuse to hide, but she doesn’t say anything.

I make my way up the stairs, but I'm stopped by the queen of all bitches as soon as I get to the top.  "Hey there piglet." She says through a laugh.  I ignore her and try to walk past.  “You shouldn't be up here, you know.  There's a lot of people down stairs.  You could send this whole floor crashing in on them and kill everyone."

I pretend her words do not hurt and walk on.  I continue down the hall, trying not to cry.  But, the tears are falling by the time I open the bathroom door.  I don't even look in.  I just step inside and lock the door.  I slide to the floor and pull my knees to my chest. 

"What's wrong Lindy Lou?"  

I look up and Lucas is standing in the middle of the bathroom.  I'm so embarrassed, that I feel myself blush.  I try to wipe the tears from my eyes, as I stand up.  "Nothing's wrong.  I just had something in my eye."

Lucas gives me a don't bullshit me look and pulls me into his arms.  "I hate to see you cry.  So, just go ahead and tell me whose ass I need to kick."  

I give him a sad smile. "It was just Kelsey, being her normal delightful self."

"Shit, I don't know why that girl is so mean to you all the time.  She's always nice to me" he says while rubbing circles on my back.

“I bet she is." Everyone knows Kelsey has a thing for Lucas. He's never dated her, but I've heard they've hooked up a few times. 

"You can't let them get to you.  You know you’re beautiful."  I'm shocked.  He's never called me beautiful before.  No one has but mom and she doesn't really count. 

"Yeah right.   I'm beautiful.  If you like pigs that wear glasses." I try to laugh, but it comes out sounding sad. 

Lucas pulls me in closer.  My body is now pressed against his.  "Is that really what you see when you look at yourself?"

His mouth is so close to mine that I can smell the beer on his breath.  I can also feel his hardness pressing against my stomach.   I'm so nervous that all I can do is nod.

He moves his hands from my back and places them on my face.  "Do you want to know what I see, when I look at you." I nod my head slowly.  Afraid that anything I do could make him pull away.  Right now, that is the last thing I want.

"I see a beautiful girl inside and out."  Lucas moves his hand to my hair. "I see hair so red that it reminds me of the color of the sky at sunset."  He brings the other hand to my glasses and pulls them off.  He sits them on the sink and returns his hands to my back, pulling me into him once again. "I see eyes so green they remind me of fresh cut grass."  He lowers his mouth and whispers. “I see lips that look so soft that I'm dying to kiss them."

Then, he places his lips on mine.  It's my first kiss, and it’s just like always dreamed it would be.  Wonderful!  His tongue pushes my lips apart and rubs against mine.  One of his hands is pushing up my shirt, while the other is rubbing my ass.  I am so shocked that I feel like I'm dreaming.  

Lucas slowly pulls me onto the floor.  I don't even realize that he is removing my clothes, until they are gone.  He enters me in one slow stroke.  It hurts so bad that I want to cry, but I'm too happy for the tears to fall.  I won't let anything ruin this moment.  It doesn't take long, before Lucas pushes himself deep inside me and moans.

As soon as he is done, he looks down at me and his eyes get really big.  "Fuck Lindy.  I'm sorry. I’m so fucking drunk that I didn’t even think about what I was doing.” He shakes his head.   “Shit, that should have never happened.”  He jumps up, pulls up his pants, and walks out the door. 

I look up, just as the door shuts.  I cannot believe he left me like that.  I reach up and lock the door.  Then curl up into a ball and cry.  

It takes me twenty minutes to get myself cleaned up and back downstairs.  I look around, until I see Tara with some of her band friends. I walk straight to her and whisper in her ear. “I need to get out of here. Now!"

She looks at me for a moment, I can tell that she knows something bad has happened.  She finally nods, and we make our way through the party.  We have almost made it to the door, when I hear Kelsey's voice.  I turn my head to look at Lucas, his friend Daniel, and Kelsey standing near the wall.

"I know what I heard.  You were doing Piglet in the bathroom." She says while looking at Lucas.

"Luke, did you really fuck that pig?"  Asks Daniel, with a disgusted look on his face. 

"No way man.  My dick would fall off if it got too close to that fat ass." Lucas says, and they all start to laugh.

I gasp, and Lucas turns to look at me.   I can see the anguish in his eyes, but he doesn’t apologize. 

"You guys must be kidding. There's no way Lindy would let a douche like Luke touch her." Tara says as she pulls me out of the party.  

Tara and I don't talk on the way home.  I just look out the window and do my best to keep from crying.  When we pull into my driveway, I start to get out but Tara grabs my hand. "I'm really sorry Lindy." I nod and pull away. 

I make my way into my bedroom, doing my best to avoid my mom.  I walk over to my window and lock it.   Then, I climb into bed and break into tears. I'm still crying a few hours later, when I hear someone try to open my window.  Then, he starts to knock on it. I put my face into my pillow, to muffle the sound of my sobbing.  Lucas knocks a few more times, then I hear him walk away. 

The next morning, Mom helps me pack my stuff into Tara's car.  She gives me a hug, and I climb in.  We are just pulling out of the driveway when Lucas comes running out his front door.

"Lindy!  Wait!" he screams. 

I look over at Tara and shake my head.  We drive away, and I don’t even look back.