Keep Me (18 page)

“Good idea. My boy’s getting heavy.” With one hand, she took the towel from behind her, stood up and smoothed it down on the seat, placing Luca on top of it. She added an extra layer of protection by piling the unused life preservers around him like a fort.

“Do you
want
him to be the boy in the plastic bubble? Sheesh, he’s an inch away from you, mama bear.”

She swatted at me and just sighed, “He can never be too close.”

After kissing him atop his curly head, she sat back down and pulled her hair up in a ponytail.

“Hot, pretty girl?”

She fanned herself, but I knew of a way she could cool off.
Take off the damn cover-up, Tessa.
“A little. I hope it’s cooler tonight. The concert’s outdoors, no?”

“Yup. It’s gonna be beautiful, so don’t worry. I hope you packed a dress with all those sex toys.” I leaned back against the cushioned seat and spread my arms wide, soaking in the rays.

I didn’t have to see her face to know she was eyeing me suspiciously. “A dress?”

Sitting up again, I focused on her glistening, smooth legs, my eyes traveling higher and higher to her thighs. “Easy access, baby.”

“Aren’t you smug? You’re so sure that I’ll give it up that easily? And you promised Riley it wasn’t a date.”

I leaned in closer and then checked to see that my sister had her eyes on the lake and not me. “Oh, it’s a date, sweetheart and it’s gonna be the best damn date you’ve ever been on.”

“You’re dangerous, you know that?” Usually when someone sensed danger they did anything but smile, so her grin totally gave her away.

“And you like it.”

She arched an eyebrow. “What if I do?”

“Now who’s being dangerous? Your son is right next to you, my sister’s eyeballing me like I’m about to steal your virtue, and I’m so hard I can’t even stand.”

“Seems like you were right about the blue balls, then.”

“Yeah, maybe for now, but I will have my way with you later. Mark my words.”

Our day on the boat was perfect, regardless of the fact that I had to keep my hands to myself. Just being around Tessa made me happy. As I showered, I thought about our plans for tonight. I hummed along to one of the songs I hoped the band would play.

I heard them talking behind a closed door as I walked from the bathroom with a towel around my waist. I imagined them huddling, thinking I couldn’t hear. Eavesdropping on my sister was always one of my fortes.

“It’s not about that, Tess. I’m really not trying to be a bitch. Don’t you think I’d love for you and my brother to hit it off? But when it doesn’t work out—and it won’t—it will be that much more awkward for us. He’s hooked up with a lot of my friends—and I mean
a lot
—and every single time I’m the one left to answer their questions about why he didn’t call or ask to hang out again. You know how bad that sucks—telling your friend that someone isn’t into you for anything more than a quick lay?”

“But what if I’m not just another quick lay? What if he’s ready for more?”

Thank you, Tessa for having more faith in me than my own flesh and blood.

“I know him better than he knows himself. He’s not ready. He’s a twenty-four year old model whose ego’s gone to his head. And you, my dear, are a conquest—he’s always had something for you and after he gets you out of his system, he’ll be on to the same old shenanigans that he’s notorious for. You don’t need that right now. You need stability.”

I wondered what Tessa’s face looked like after Riley’s insulting tirade. I couldn’t wait for her to meet some guy now. I was going to air all her dirty laundry as soon as she brought him around.

“I know you’re right. Believe me I know. It’s just—”

“I get it. He’s hot, as gross as that sounds… but how can I put this? On the outside he’s perfect, the total package, right?”

More silence. Was she nodding in agreement, waiting on bated breath for her to finish like I was, or was she ignoring her ridiculousness the way I hoped she was?

“… but looks can be deceiving, Tess. He’s screwed up on the inside… women are objects to him. He’s never been in a relationship and… I just don’t want you getting hurt, again.”

My hands balled into tight fists. I wanted to bust into that room, break up their pow-wow and tell my bitchy sister how wrong she was. But I couldn’t let Tessa see me angry and I wouldn’t show Riley that she got to me. Yes, she had valid points. I
didn’t
know how to commit, but for Tessa I sure as hell wanted to try. The only thing left to do was prove Riley wrong.

Gripping the towel with one hand, the other one met the wall with a loud, crashing thud.

“What was that?” Riley shrieked from the other side of the door.

It felt so good to release my fury I didn’t care that my fist created a gaping hole in the freshly painted wall.

When the door swung open and my sister’s head peeked out, I feigned a smile and said, “Sorry, tripped on the towel. My elbow got the brunt of it. I’ll have to spackle it up tomorrow, no biggie.”

“Klutz. How much longer ‘til you’re ready? She wants to put Luca down for the night before you leave.”

“Not much longer. Tell my
conquest
not to keep me waiting too long, though. I might just move on to more shenanigans.”

I walked past her and into my room, locking the door behind me without saying another word. She needed to know I heard her and all the terrible things she said. Her words stung me and I wanted them to bite her right back.

He waited until we got in the car to say it to me. “You look gorgeous tonight, Tess.” I was happy he didn’t say it in front of Riley because, quite frankly, her chat in the guest bedroom did a number on me.

I chose to ignore the pang of worry that threatened to rain on my parade and just take the compliment. “Thank you. You clean up pretty nice yourself.” And he did, even if his T-shirt, jeans, and Converse were as casual as one could get. He looked hot and I couldn’t believe he was my escort on this so-called date. My mind was already on the wrong track.
Change the topic, Tessa!

“You know, I’m surprised Riley isn’t into Airborne too. I can’t even count how many concerts we’ve seen together. There was one summer I swear we went to one a week. We really lived it up back then.”

Marcus backed out of the driveway, looking over his shoulder. “Yeah, well, Riley’s lost her spunk in her old age.”

I eyed him with disdain. “Old age? I’m older than her by three months. Guess you’re into geriatric chicks, huh?”

“No, just you.” He winked.

Way to keep it off topic, huh? “Let’s call the opening song. I say they play
Sometime Around Midnight
.”

“You and Riley used to do this all the time—it was cute. But you’re wrong about the opener… it’s too mellow. In fact, one time when I saw them, they actually played that one sometime right around midnight. Kinda cheesy but also kinda cool.”

I smiled, excited that I was getting this chance to see them live. “Okay, so call it then. What do
you
think they’ll play first?”

“They’re opening with
The Storm
. I just have this feeling and I will not be wrong about it.”

“You think you’re always right, don’t you?”

He placed his hand on my thigh and massaged it over my jeans. “No, not always. But with certain things… I just know. By the way, good call on the tight-ass jeans. I think they’re actually hotter than the dress I pictured you wearing.”

Perfect!
And I here I was thinking I dressed modestly. “Marcus, this flattery is all so… Maybe it’s best if we heed Riley’s advice. I’m sorry if I’m sending mixed signals, but…” Should I admit that he had the power to weaken every one of my morals? Yeah, why not. “It’s hard not to fall victim to your charm, dude. You do things to me that make my head spin, even when you’re
not
touching me. But let’s face it… this isn’t going anywhere. It’s just for fun. You don’t need my baggage—I have Luca and my life’s still all messed up because of…”

His hand leaped from my thigh up to the nape of my neck. The sensation of his strong hand against my soft skin was so intimate and soothing; it did the job of quieting me. “We’re not going there tonight. Forget that jackhole Zack, my annoying sister, and all your qualms. I’m not as bad as everyone makes me out to be. Don’t you know that by now? This is different.
You
make me feel different and I might fuck up and I know for shit sure that I won’t be perfect, but can’t you just give me a shot? All I’m asking for is a chance.”

It was so honest and raw and so… not Marcus. It surprised me and everything inside told me that I should give in, except for this nagging feeling Riley had planted that just wouldn’t subside.

“God, Marcus. You’re making this so hard. Can’t we just have a good time tonight? I’m tired of drama and seriousness. I need to let loose! That’s what I lo—like most about you. You make me feel free again, like I can be
me
and not worry about who’s watching.”

His hand fell from my neck and returned to the steering wheel. “I’m happy I make you feel that way. Knowing that makes your rejection a little easier.”

It was my turn to comfort him. My hand found its way to his thigh this time and he peered down at the contact. “It’s not a rejection. Don’t be like that. Let’s just take it as it comes and worry about the rest later. Please?”

The muscles in his jaw clenched visibly under his clean-shaven face. “Pretty girl, you run a hard bargain, but I think I might just be able to comply.”

Midway through the opening act I was starting to feel a little buzzed, a lot flirty, and damn it, this was feeling more and more like a date.

“They’re good, no?” Marcus was back from the concession and handed me another beer. We clinked our bottles together and took a chug at the same time.

“Really good.” Their sound was fresh, fun; they complimented the headliners perfectly. But I wasn’t thinking about how much I liked the band at the moment, watching Marcus dance around to the music. I wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or the atmosphere, but I needed to make a confession. “Hey.” I nudged him with my butt. “I’m having a really good time.”

“I know you are.” He winked. “I am too.”

“Thank you. You know, in case I forget to tell you later or if I’m too sloshed.” I looked down at the floor, afraid his expression would tempt me to say more.

His hand was at my face, his finger under my chin, tilting my gaze in his direction. “Oh, you’re not getting sloshed. I want you to remember the
whole
night.” He wore exactly the expression I was trying to avoid—devilish, delicious, good and bad all rolled into one.

“Don’t worry. I have no doubt it will go down in my book as one of my favorites. I’m so excited to hear the band play already.” My eyes flicked to his luscious lips and I looked at my watch, trying to divert my attention. “How much longer ‘til they come on, you think?”

“Pretty girl, I wasn’t referring to the band. I have other things in store for you—stop looking at your watch. Night’s still young… let it be ours.”

His words always weakened me. So smooth. I guess it was just part of the womanizer territory. “You always know the right thing to say, like right on cue, don’t you?”