Love vs. Payne (8 page)

He purposely dropped his pen, when it rolled over and hit her foot, she tightly squeezed her eyes closed. She could feel him as he got close, the heat from his body, the smell of his cologne, she opened her eyes just in time to see his strong hand picking up the pen. She was an instant mess, blushing, lightly sweating, and shaking. That glimpse was almost her undoing, his skilled fingers reminding her of all the mind-blowing pleasure they had brought to her.

She had to force herself not to think of those fingers all over her body, playing with her breasts, sliding inside of her. She gasped aloud, and then cringed when she realized that half of the class was staring at her. The always-entertaining Mr. Kruger was also looking at her and his irritation was quickly overpowering his boredom. Of course, he had already made a few choice comments about her lack of focus today. If he only knew the extreme amount of concentration and focus she was using not to look at Maddox, he would take back his words. Besides, she was paying enough attention to know Mr. Kruger had not said a damn thing to Maddox, who was looking at her hard, the heat from his untamed stare almost igniting her clothing. If Maddox would just look away from her, she would be able to cope a little better.

It was prom night, a night for celebration, a night of accomplishment and pride, but two of the seniors at Nevermore High School were absolutely miserable.

Alice was wearing a blood red gown that went perfectly with her newly enhanced hair color and accented her pale skin. She also made sure that her gown matched her prom dates outfit and the ’artistic’ albeit strange looking, metal-enhanced corsage he had handmade for her. Zombie, the prom date that had become Alice’s soul mate after only three days, was adorned in a multitude of clashing colors. His fire red Mohawk accented Alice’s flame red hair, but his dirty, ripped t-shirt and cut off dress pants did not go with the elegant theme. Nor did his heavy black leather jacket that was decorated with obscene albeit highly artistic graffiti, that Zombie was happy to brag he created himself.

Gwen, always the stunner, wore a milk-chocolate silk, low cut gown that accented her curves and made her appear taller than her five-foot frame. Gwen, being typical Gwen had decided to go to the prom alone, she had a couple boys ask, but she refused them. "Boys" she had called them in disgust with her nose up. Somehow, her opinion had managed to change drastically when Marko, asked her to the prom while they were waiting in the lunch line. Without any consideration to her sudden change in attitude involving high school “boys”, Gwen said yes.

Gia had used her mother's old sewing machine to make her prom gown and had found a pretty gold material while searching through her mother's things. No way could her father afford a new gown right now, lot rent had gone up at the trailer park and they were barely making ends meet as it was. So she took her time and spent the whole week making her prom dress.

It was a simple, strapless gown that she had tailored to accent her small waist and enhance her full breasts. The corseted top of the dress stopped below her naval and she had gathered the remaining material to create a full skirt.

***

Frankie Floyd, the black-eyed, corduroy wearing, pockets full of pens, king of the nerds, was head geek of the Math Club and proud of it. He was five-foot-five, weighing no more than 120 pounds, but had the ruff and rugged walk of a pit bull, despite his tiny frame. He was not the strongest person, but he knew there was no other nerd around who could beat him. He had always had a high sense of self, his parents lavishing their only child in adoration over his high intelligence, he was the apple of their eye and they had spoiled him rotten.

He had noticed Gia in the 9th grade when he moved to Nevermore from out of state, automatically noticing that she was the only one who could match his superior intelligence and just happened to be the cutest girl at school. He was immediately in love! Therefore, when he asked her to the prom expecting her to say no, he nearly passed out when she said yes.

Gia accepted Frankie's invitation, because despite his puffed out chest and compulsive obsession to express how smart he was, he was harmless.

He came to her door dressed in a mint green polyester tuxedo with matching velour cummerbund and bowtie. He had the nerve to top it off with a pale yellow button up shirt and a thick gold medallion with the word ‘pimp‘ engraved on it. He pulled out a matching wrist corsage of fresh carnations and dramatically presented it to Gia, before putting it on her wrist. She smiled and took his arm, wishing her father had gotten up to see her off. In Frankie's green car, she hooked the red bow in the middle of the corsage and smiled softly.

“What is that?” Frankie asked, looking at the ratty old bow.

“My mother gave it to me.” she told him, she was not sure why she wanted it there, it just seemed like it was the right place for it to be on a night like tonight.

“But I thought you said your mother was-”

“She is,” Gia cut him off before he had a chance to finish his sentence, “this was the last thing that she gave me.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t lose it after all that time.” Frankie said insensitively.

“I wore it in my hair for years and refused to take it out,” the corners of her mouth popped up, “until this kid from my third grade class stole it from me.”

“He stole it?”

“He did more than that, he yanked it right out of my hair.”

“Well, I’m glad you got it back.” he smiled, “So what do think about my suit? I had it custom made to match my car.” he lifted his brows, trying to be seductive and Gia held back the laughter that was threatening to burst out.

***

Paige could not get a hold of Maddox and she started to panic. He had refused to ask her to the prom, no matter how much she hinted towards it. When she realized her hints were not working, she outright asked him, but he claimed he was going with his football teammates. The problem with that was she had already told everyone she knew that Maddox had practically begged her to be his date for the prom. She could not very well go to the prom solo, she would be the laughing stock of the school, so she had to do something.

Her master plan was to wait for Maddox to pull up with his friends, and then just casually walk inside with him so it looked like they had arrived together. No one would be the wiser and her friends would be consumed with jealousy. So she hid by her car until she saw him pull up, then just as she had planned, she waited for him to get close to the main door and ran up behind him.

***

Maddox was in no rush to get to the prom, in all honesty, it was the last place he wanted to be. A few of his Brother’s friends were having a huge party and Maddox would have preferred to be celebrating with them. Unfortunately, Frankie Floyd, the irritant from the science lab had asked Gia to the prom and she had accepted.

He was not impressed and decided to go to the prom.

In fact, Maddox was livid with her decision, although he understood why she accepted the offer. If things were different, if they had been born to different families, or if their ancestors had not made that life altering business deal, he would be the one taking her to the prom. In his mind, he was the only one who should be allowed to take her to the prom and he was furious about a situation he had no control over. He knew he had no right to be upset, but his logic was not strong enough to overpower the intensity of his possessiveness. If he could not touch her or even hold her on his one and only prom night, he would make damn sure that no one else did.

***

Gia was standing by the buffet table, talking to Gwen and Alice, while drinking a hot pink, fizzy concoction out of a clear plastic cup.

“What is it?” Gwen frowned as she drank the syrupy liquid that felt like live sparklers sliding down her throat.

“It’s like a liquid version of that popping candy.” Gia sat her glass down.

“Well I have the perfect thing to take that fizz away.” Alice smiled, pulling out her chrome flask with the fuchsia, rhinestone-skull appliqué.

“You’re such a smart girl.” Gwen smiled at her friend.

“Count me out.” Gia shook her head.

“You don’t have to get drunk or anything, just take a little sip, it is our prom night.”

“Yeah live a little, G.” Gwen wrapped her arm around Gia’s shoulders.

“Just a tiny sip.” Gia smiled and her friends cheered as she took the glass.

“Let’s get drunk!” all three girls turned to see Frankie Floyd opening his mint green jacket to show them a large bottle of liquor.

“Down boy.” Gwen shook her head.

“Yeah, you’re going to get busted waiving that thing around.” Alice chuckled then handed him a cup, “Try this.” Frankie took a little sip before looking back up at them with a huge smile on his face.

“This is good.” he smiled then quickly drank the rest. Gia shook her head at Frankie’s antics and was getting ready to say something when she felt it.

The air in the room shifted and the colors brightened before her eyes as the overwhelming smell of
him
seized her senses. She could almost see him, without even turning around to look at him and she knew instantly that Maddox had entered the prom.

She carefully turned to look at him, seeing him enter with over half of the football team. All of them wore their football jerseys and Gia tried not to notice how handsome Maddox looked in his. She could tell he had raked his fingers through his thick hair and had not even bothered to shave, but he was by far the most handsome man at the prom. She could sense him getting ready to turn his head and managed to look away from him at the very moment he turned to look at her.

Maddox saw her immediately and felt his pulse seize before accelerating, she was breathtaking. Her long beautiful hair fell in a mass of big, loose curls down her back and he was itching to run his hand through the thick mane. Her body was amazing, her large breasts were crushed against the top of the corseted gown and looked as if they would pop out with any abrupt movement. He had an overwhelming urge to take her to his car, pull down her top and cover her breasts with kisses.

"There you are." Paige came out of nowhere, planting a kiss on his lips, then she took his hand. "I got us a good seat."