Dissipate Page 15
“Yeah, your Superman went out back real quick to see something.” He pointed through the open back door.
“Okay, thanks, Batman.” I started for the back door. Bradley wore a shirt that read Batman. It seemed fitting to call him that after he referenced Aiden as Superman.
Bradley, called after me. “Anytime, Lois.”
I shook my head and laughed as I continued on my way. Aiden and I had come as Lois Lane and Superman. So far, Halloween had turned out to be a fun holiday. Finally, I felt like I was fitting in and I liked the me that had emerged.
Making it out the back door, I watched as Aiden and a bunch of guys were watching someone do a keg stand and counting. I stood back, not wanting to interrupt. The keg stand thing was entertaining as people were practically held upside down while they drank as much beer for as long as they could.
Aiden chanted with his friends as his red cape moved in the light wind. Every once in a while, the cape would move enough for me to see his butt. It was muscular, that was for sure and gave me thoughts of taking things further than we had.
Sexually, I was a mess. Since we’d started dating, Aiden and I had spent nearly ever free minute together. It was easy and I loved being with him. I never felt any pressure to move our relationship further. Sometimes, it was hard for me not to be consumed by Aiden. The last few days, Aiden had been busy with tests and we’d barely seen each other. Four out of his five classes had tests before Halloween which he’d cussed about all week long. I missed him—more than I wanted to admit.
As I watched the crowd, my mind faded back to the conversation with Brooklyn I’d had this past Tuesday.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, I read about plant parts in my Biology book. Life was getting easier. The fear of The Society finding me always loomed in the back of my mind, but I was able to suppress the anxiety—most of the time.
A knock sounded from my bedroom door.
“Come in,” I called.
Brooklyn walked in wearing lounge clothes. We were both doing the solo thing tonight. “You excited about being Lois Lane for the Halloween party?”
“Yes. It makes a lot more sense now that I’ve seen the movie.” When Brooklyn had first suggested the costume, I’d stared back at her confused. Further explaining had enlightened me and resulted in a group date movie night with Aiden, her, and Mike.
It was cute since Lois Lane and Superman, who was also Clark Kent, worked at a newspaper together.
Beaming, Brooklyn sat on the bed. “You guys are going to be adorable. Mike finally agreed to be a devil since I’m going as an angel.”
“Good, I know he wanted you to be a naughty nurse.” Scoffing, a small grin played on her lips. I didn’t want to know. A few seconds later, Brooklyn touched the different flowers on the bedspread. Something was on her mind.
“What’s up, Brooklyn? You seem, hesitant or something.”
A long breath came out. “I’m horrible at being discreet. So, I know I’m about to probably step over a boundary, but I’m looking out for you. Please keep that in mind. Okay?”
“Okay.” My nerves shot up a little. Quickly, I tried to think of what in the world it could be.
“Are you on birth control?” Brooklyn gave me a sweet smile that eased my nerves.
Birth control. They had birth control. “No. Why?”
I felt stupid having not even thought about any type of safety measures if we were to take things further.
“Oh, this is gross thinking about my brother. I’m trying to not see his face.” Brooklyn paused and took another deep breath. “Okay. I swear Aiden doesn’t say anything to me, but I can tell things are heating up between you two. It’s obvious.”
Was I being a slut? I blushed from embarrassment from not being indiscreet and casted my eyes downward.
Brooklyn took my hand. “Kenzie, it’s not a bad thing. It’s a little gross because we’re talking about my brother, but I’ve never seen him as happy as he is with you. He’s fallen for you hard and I think you have too.”
“I have.”
Brooklyn grinned huge, then took my hand. “Guys don’t always think about it. Yeah, they wrap it before they tap it, but if you guys are getting close to sex, I would suggest getting on birth control. You can never be too safe about pregnancy.”
There was no way I wanted to chance a baby. Birth control was in my immediate future. “Where do I go to get it?”
This was going to require a trip to the library to find out all about birth control.
“If you want me to come to the clinic with you, I can go the day after tomorrow.”
That would give me time to research my options. “Sounds like a plan.”
Brooklyn patted my knee. “Do you want me to order a pizza?”
My stomach growled. “That’d be great. I’m too tired to cook.”
“Me too. Mike kept me up to late.” I snickered as she wiggled her eyebrows. Standing, Brooklyn made her way to the door. “Just make sure Aiden still wraps it before he taps it.”
I threw my pillow. “Brooklyn!”
She laughed as she jogged down the stairs.
After researching, we’d gone to the clinic and I’d chosen to get the shot. It beat having to remember to take your pill everyday around the same time. Aiden still didn’t know I was on birth control. The last thing I wanted was to come off too eager.
From the distance, I saw two people making out against the outside wall. With the way that their uncoordinated limbs were moving, I’d say that they were drunk. Turning my attention back on Aiden, he looked my way and gave me a smile. Talking to his friends, he said something, then came over to see me.
He snagged me in his embrace. “Are you ready to go, Lois?”
“Fly me away, Superman.”
He chuckled and the deep vibrations had me wanting to be alone with him. As we made our way out, the couple I saw earlier fell in front of us. Stacy sprawled out on the floor and Trent was on top, still sloppily kissing her. Opening her eyes, Stacy saw Aiden. She stopped, alarmed. Limbs went rigid. Stacy seemed lost and I felt sorry for her.
I glanced to Aiden. He looked at her with pity. There was no interest that I could see. I was confident in our relationship, but Stacy had a strong piece of Aiden’s past and I sometimes wondered if I was really enough.
She pushed Trent off. “It’s not what it looks like, Aiden. We’re not together.” The words were slurred and her actions weren’t fluid. A few people had stopped what they were doing to pay attention to the embarrassing scene unfolding.
Aiden shrugged. “Stacy, you can see who you want to see. It doesn’t matter.”
With Aiden’s hand applying a small bit of pressure, I walked forward again. Stacy drunkenly spat, “She’s gutter trash, Aiden.”
My step faltered, but I kept moving. Humiliation brimmed at the surface and I refused to give her the satisfaction. Aiden paused, causing me to jolt to a stop. Take the high road, Kenzie.
The last thing I wanted was a scene. “Don’t, Aiden. Let’s go.”
Trent was wasted as he muttered, “I’d bang the gutter trash.”
Stacy slapped Trent who fell over, obviously more incoherent than he’d been at the other party.
Aiden’s eyes were livid. Quickly, I put my hands on his stomach. “Please, don’t. Let’s go. I want to see my surprise.”
The party had grown silent. All eyes were on us. I pleaded again, “Please. They’re drunk.”
Without a word, Aiden grabbed my hand and briskly pulled me. I had to jog to keep up as people watched us. At the door, he stopped and spoke to Bradley. It was too low for me to hear. The party resumed again as I felt the vibe returning. I was glad that it hadn’t ended like last time with Aiden throwing a punch.
Leaving the party, cups were strewn across the yard as we made it to the car. A few people meandered about clearly having a good time and in their own little world. The place reeked of alcohol. Whoever had to clean this up had a huge job ahead of them tomorrow.
Aiden still hadn’t spoken a word when we made it to his vehicle. I’m sure he needed time to cool off. As we drove off, I watched the firm line of his jaw working. The steering wheel was griped tight. Reaching my hand out, I touched his blue superman tights. Aiden was muscular and I hoped we were alone tonight wherever we were going for the surprise.
My body craved his. Intimately, we hadn’t progressed much further. Aiden would touch me with his fingers in new ways. And I would give him hand jobs watching him come. My touch affected him. That was a heady feeling.
More miles passed and Aiden relaxed. His right hand came down on mine. “I’m sorry, Kenzie. Trent and Stacy should have been put in their place. I will not accept people treating you like that . . . ever.”
Sprinkles dotted the windshield. “They were drunk. Stacy was upset and Trent is repulsive. But you know, I would never cheat on you.”
For a second, Aiden turned my way and arched an eyebrow. “Yes, I know you wouldn’t cheat. I don’t want Trent near you.”
We needed a subject change. Aiden began to get worked up.
“Where are we going?”
Brooklyn knew what the plans were, but had been all secretive. Even under a girl code I learned about, she still refused to spill. I tried to cajole either sibling into giving a hint, but so far, I’d come up empty handed.
Giving me that carefree smile I loved, Aiden replied, “You’ll see. We’re driving about an hour and a half and we’ll be there.”
“We’re going somewhere away from Fayetteville! I’m so excited.” The elation in my voice couldn’t be hidden.
Since I’d arrived, Fayetteville was the only place I’d seen. I was ready to see something else.
Aiden squeezed my hand. “We are. I know you haven’t seen much of the area. It’s going to be me and you for the weekend.”
That sounded heavenly. I’d used all my free time to get ahead on homework so I wouldn’t have to do any this week.
“Wait. Weekend? I don’t have a bag.” There was no way I could afford to buy new clothes for the weekend. I was saving everything I had to buy a laptop after Thanksgiving. Brooklyn and Aiden needed theirs even though they offered. Writing papers and preparing presentations would be easier to do at the apartment and keep my late night walks home from the library to a minimum. Another reason why Aiden wanted me to have a cell phone. That one made sense, but so far, campus had been safe.
The slow stroke of Aiden’s thumb had goose bumps forming. “Brooklyn packed you a bag.”
Warm tingles spread through me. Turning on the music low, we talked about all that had happened this past week. Excited nerves bubbled in my stomach. Tonight was going to be special. I knew it.
IT NEARED ELEVEN when we arrived at a place that read The Tree Houses of Eureka Springs. Not stopping to change, we were still in our costumes. I was ready to not be Lois anymore. With the car in park, Aiden got out and grabbed two duffel bags which I assumed had our clothes. Grabbing my hand, we walked down the gravel drive toward the front desk.
A receptionist greeted us. “How may I help you?”
“Reservation is under Mathas.”
The woman wearing a green uniform typed some things into the computer. “I have you staying here for two nights.”
Sliding a credit card to the woman, Aiden confirmed, “Yes.”
On numerous occasions, I’d tried to pay my way, but Aiden would never let me. Brooklyn said Mike did the same thing every time they went out.
Handing us our room key, and giving us the directions we made our way to our tree house. The place had trees and limbs coming out of the floor and intricately entwined into the walls. The colors were warm and inviting. A fire crackled in the sitting area while a couple sat there, drinking coffee under a blanket. It was romantic.
Up ahead, there was a sign that read Tree House Number 6. That was us. Walking out onto a walkway, I saw that we had somehow made it higher in the trees. A small cabin was at the end. Aiden slipped the key card in and the door opened.
Signaling for me to go ahead, I entered the room and flipped on the light. It was beautiful and rustic. Slowly spinning around the room to take it all in a giggle escaped. I was alone . . . with Aiden . . . in a romantic place. Tree limbs were incorporated into the room like the main part of the hotel. I couldn’t stop smiling. Aiden treated me as something precious to him every single day. I loved it.
Hearing the lock click on the door, I turned and jumped into Aiden’s arms. The duffel bag dropped to the floor.
I kissed him hard. “Thank you! I love it!”
“I’m glad you like it, sweetheart.”
He put me down and I continued exploring. Warm rustic colors with wooden furniture filled the room. Coming up from behind me, Aiden wrapped his hands around my waist while nuzzling my neck. “Are you hungry?”
I turned in his embrace. “No, not right now.”
Grazing his nose against mine, he asked, “Do you want to get out of your Lois Lane outfit?”
There was something else brewing behind those gorgeous blue eyes, but I couldn’t tell what was going on.
Running my hands along the S of Aiden’s costume, I replied, “Yes, this wig is starting to itch.”
Brooklyn insisted that I had to change my hair color somehow. At first she’d thought it would be fun to dye it. That was definitely not an option, so I’d settled for a wig. Apparently my light red hair did not give a Lois Lane vibe. The whole costume had cost forty-three dollars. It was expensive, but it had been worth the experience.
“Your wig is sexy, but I like your red hair.” Aiden’s finger flicked the end of the dark hair of the wig.
Bending, Aiden picked up my bag. I followed. I took off my wig and ran my fingers through my hair, loosening it from its compacted state. “Brooklyn had tried to talk me into dying my hair so good thing I didn’t.”
A look of horror passed over Aiden’s face as he set my bag down on the bathroom counter. “I’d have killed her.” I attempted to suppress a laugh. A feather light kiss grazed my jawbone.
Our eyes were locked in our reflection. Aiden’s hand reached to touch me, but he pulled back at the last second, leaving. Need roared to the surface. After the door closed, I laid my hands on the counter.
Did Aiden want to have sex? Of course, he did. Did I want to have sex?
My reflection looked back at me. I knew what I wanted, but was it okay to want it? That struggle was what had been holding me back, keeping me from going any further with Aiden. He never pushed. I knew if we didn’t do anything but be with each other this weekend, he’d be okay with it.
Over the past few months my face had gained a healthy glow about it, my eyes gleamed with joy, my hair took on a more natural shine . . . I was happy.
Was I ready to have sex with Aiden?
The answer was a resounding yes. I was not at The Society. I was in charge of my own life. It was okay to want things.
The scarier realization I had come to was that I was falling in love with Aiden. Mike and Brooklyn hadn’t used the love word yet, so that had to be the next step after sex.
Opening the duffel bag, there was a note from Brooklyn. There was no telling what she had done.
I smiled at Brooklyn’s note. When we talked there were no hidden agendas. Brooklyn was simply . . . my friend.
Underneath the note was an emerald-green silk dress. I held it up and my eyes sparkled with the color. Taking off my reporter’s outfit, I slipped it on. The dress hit me mid-thigh. The top came down in a V that was lower than my bra. From there, it flowed out. The bra undernea
th the dress seemed out of place. If this was to take things further, I probably didn’t need a bra.
Why didn’t this thing come with a manual?
If I got it wrong, I’d die of embarrassment, but I’d live. My face heated at what I was doing. It would be obvious I wanted more. Maybe that was the point. I took off my bra, slipping it underneath the spaghetti straps. The green enriched my pale skin.
There was a knock.
“Is everything okay in there, sweetheart?”
The pulse of my heart reverberated through my entire body. I swallowed hard, trying to squelch the excited nervousness that overtook me when I heard Aiden’s voice. “Yes, yes, I’m okay. I’ll be right out.”
Taking a brush through my hair, I tried to make myself look presentable. I changed out my cotton panties for green elegant matching ones. With a fortifying breath, I opened the door and took a step outside. In case Aiden didn’t like it, I kept my eyes cast slightly downward. Coming out here, like this, took courage. But, it also helped give me confidence.
I heard his breath catch and I glanced toward Aiden. Wearing a white cotton T-shirt and black lounge pants, he muttered, “Oh, fuck. I—you—”
Not being able to finish, Aiden came up to me. He brought his hands to my face and kissed me. I pressed myself against him as the need to be with him—in every possible way—intensified. Between my legs, a quiver began.
As the kiss slowed, Aiden’s tongue languorously explored my mouth. He pulled back. “You’re beautiful. I couldn’t think and had to touch you.”
“Aiden.” My voice came out breathless, needy, wanting.
His thumb stroked my lower lip. “Yes, sweetheart?”
Here I go. I was about to put it all out there. “I want more. I’m ready for more.”
“How much more?”
Not breaking eye contact and grabbing both of his hands, I answered, “I want to give myself to you—completely.”
He crushed his mouth to mine again as we walked backward. Reaching the bed, Aiden picked me up and laid me down. The covers had already been turned down upon our arrival. The mattress wrapped around my body as if I was on a cloud. As he trailed a finger down the middle of my body, I arched my back.