After diner, Dakota was kind enough to offer to help with the dishes. So we teamed up. I washed and he dried. In no time at all we had taken care of all the dirty dishes and had cleaned up the stove, counter, and table.
Because we had to get up early the next morning and make it to class on time, we didn’t linger around in the house, talking as much as I would have wanted. Instead, I drove him home, watching my speed as I traveled the few miles that would take us from my place to his. When we finally arrived and I parked my car just outside the apartment building he lived in, Dakota unbuckled his seatbelt and shifted on the seat so that he faced me.
“Are you sure you want to be seen around with me?” he asked with a smile.
“What’s wrong with you?” I asked him for the second time since we started talking to each other.
He laughed. “People will wonder if we’re just trying to get even.”
“We are,” I said. “So what if they do anyway? I’m not going to say anything about us just pretending to be together. Are you?”
He shook his head. “As far as everyone else is concerned, you and I are together.”
I beamed. “See, we’re a team already.”
Although the car’s windows were rolled up, a distinctive male voice carried Dakota’s name being called to us and we both glanced up at the same time to spot Uziel and Demarco standing on the second floor terrace, looking down at us and grinning.
“We’ve been spotted.” Dakota glanced forward and frowned.
“Looks like you have some explaining to do.” I laughed at the sight of Uziel giving us the two-thumbs-up move.
“Yeah, he’ll be all over my case now.” He looked at me and smiled.
“Well, we have to start fully convincing everyone at some point.” Fisting my hand in Dakota’s shirt, I pulled him toward me and planted a quick kiss on his soft lips. I only did it for the benefit of those watching us, but I never expected the tightening in the pit of my stomach nor the hot flashes that suddenly coursed through my body as our lips came in contact.
Totally confused, I drew back and glanced up to look at his face.
He had not been expecting the kiss and the surprise was clearly visible in his face.
“I’ll see you tomorrow around campus,” I said, hoping to distract myself from the electrifying atmosphere inside the car. Though it had been only a quick peck, it affected me more than I ever thought a simple gesture like that ever could. “How about we meet up for lunch tomorrow.”
He nodded. “Lunch sounds good.”
Releasing his shirt, I glanced up as Uziel’s excited cheers carried over toward us.
“Someone’s happy,” I commented.
“Yeah, he has no life.” Dakota reached for the door handle but stopped short of opening the door. “Thanks for diner. It was delicious.”
“It felt good to cook again. It’s been a while.” I smiled at him. “I was almost afraid I’d lost my touch.”
He looked on at me with surprise. “You mean, you never cooked for Kirk?”
I shook my head. “No. Never. It was always take out or he’d make us something. I never bothered with him.”
The reality of what came out of my mouth hit me full force. I’d just cooked a meal for a virtual stranger but never bothered to do that for Kirk. I had never felt compelled or inspired to share that part of me with him. And my mind quickly scrambled for an explanation as to why but found no answers.
“It’s the first time since I left for college that anyone’s cooked for me,” he said, snapping me out of my thoughts. “We usually take care of ourselves.” He pointed to where Demarco and Uziel were standing, punching each other on the arms.
“Well, what can I say, you inspired me,” I admitted aloud, blushing as soon as I realized just how much I was giving away.
What the hell is wrong with me? I’m like a freaking open book all of a sudden?
Chuckling softly, he said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I nodded. “Tomorrow.”
Opening the car door, he climbed out, and stood to one side of the car as I shifted the car to reverse, and waived before driving off.
***
The next day held a hint of promise as I readied myself for another long day of classes. Since my first year of college, I had not felt such enthusiasm over getting up and going to campus. The week before I’d dreaded even making it there, but my high spirits had returned. I now had a purpose for being present—aside from finishing my major of course.
Dakota would be waiting for me and in spite of how much I tried to deny it; I was looking forward to seeing him again. During the entire drive to campus, my mind kept drifting back to him and our plan. To most it would sound crazy, but to us, somehow it made sense. Maybe Dakota and I had a lot more in common than we knew.
Even though Delilah and Audrey were engrossed in a deep conversation as I drove us to campus, I paid no attention to their rambling whatsoever. It wasn’t until we arrived that I finally snapped out of my wandering thoughts and finally fixated my gaze on them as they excitedly exited the car and started for where Michaela and Delilah’s brother, Kevin, were standing, waiting for us.
Shaking my head, I quickly climbed out of the car and hurried toward them.
“Hey, girls,” Kevin greeted us. “You’re almost late,” he teased.
Delilah shoved him playfully. “So what?”
“You keeping tabs now?” Audrey asked.
Kevin shook his head. “Nah, I’m just messing with you girls.”
Michaela looked up at me and smiled. Something was up.
“Hey, you,” I said, my eyes flickering down to their joined hands, recognition dawning at once. They were official now. Michaela had had a thing for Kevin for a while, but he had always played hard to get. Since they were holding hands, I came to the realization that they both wanted everybody else to know they were now dating.
“Hey, Janessa.” Kevin grinned as he added, “I heard you have a new boyfriend.”
Michaela tossed me a knowing look.
Fidgeting with the strap of my messenger bag, I said, “He’s just a friend.”
“That’s not what it looked like to me,” he continued.
“What are you talking about?” I asked intrigued.
“Michaela and I were at the mall yesterday and we saw you leaving together.”
Ah, so that’s where he was taking his assumptions from. Right, as if Michaela’s influence had nothing to do with that.
“His name is Dakota,” I replied.
“So, are you two dating?” he asked, arching one eyebrow.
I smiled. “We’re…” I paused for emphasis. All eyes were on me and I wanted to make them anticipate my answer. “Getting to know each other.”
Kevin laughed. “It sure took you long enough to dump Kirk.”
I rolled my eyes. Was there someone, aside from his best friends, who even liked Kirk? I mean, seriously. For the past two days I’d heard that one sentence three times.
“So I’ve heard.”
“I, for one, am so happy he’s out of the picture,” Delilah, who wore a vintage 1940’s aplomb dress with a layered, red-trimmed collar, low cut V-neckline, and a triad of round scarlet buttons at the bodice, said. She really looked as if she’d just walked out of a movie set.
“We all are,” Audrey added.
Kevin nodded. “You’ll have to introduce us to the new guy some time.”
“I will.” I smiled, loving that my friends were so supportive. If only they knew this whole dating thing was a big fake. Well, Delilah and Audrey knew, but they had promised not to tell anyone else and I knew I could count on them to keep the secret.
“Well, here’s your chance.” Michaela gestured behind me and I spun around just in time to see Dakota walking toward us with his cousin, Uziel.
My heart immediately picked up pace at the sight of him, but I ignored it. Tried to convince myself I was just nervous, but the thump, thump, thump of my beating heart did not lie.
“Who’s that with him?” Audrey asked, interrupting my brain’s denial tantrum.
“His cousin, Uziel,” I replied, keeping my eyes locked on my partner in crime.
He looked positively appealing with his hair braided and tied at the nape of his neck. The t-shirt he wore outlined his broad shoulders and biceps perfectly. His long legs were encased in a pair of jeans that really made it hard for me to stop staring. He was muscular and I loved scrutinizing him.
“I’ll be right back.” I started for him, ignoring the sly comments and school girl giggles coming from my friends as I moved along.
The moment Dakota spotted me moving toward him, he smiled, meeting me half way as I walked the short distance that would bring us face to face.
“Hey,” I said, straining my neck to look up at him. He was a good foot taller than me, which I happened to think was sexy. I had a thing for tall, good looking guys and Dakota sure fit the bill.
“Hey,” he replied. “It’s nice to see you first thing in the morning.”
“Right back at ya,” I said with an enthusiasm I actually felt.
“So what’s up?”
I was about to respond to that when I spotted Kirk exiting his car a short distance away and my impulses kicked in. Without giving much thought to my actions, I closed the gap keeping us apart and wrapped my arms around Dakota’s midsection, burying my face in his chest.
He tensed up a little, but then wrapped his arms around my shoulders, holding me close as he whispered in my left ear, “I’m glad to see you too.”
My action had been deliberate, because I knew there was no way Kirk could miss it from where he stood, but the effects coming in close contact with Dakota had on my body was definitely not planned. The way I shivered when his breath feathered over my earlobe was not something I could have possibly calculated. Not in the least.
How I reacted to him definitely shocked me. Because I’m a little conceited, it’s easy for me to admit that boys had always fanned over me. And in some level, I had enjoyed the attention. But I’d never gone boy crazy. In my twenty one years of life—soon to be twenty two—I’d only had two serious boyfriends. Both relationships had ended badly.
However, even when I’d felt in love with them both, my physical response to them had been moderate at best. With Dakota, I was very much confused. I could not understand why my body was acting as if it had a mind of its own. He wasn’t even my type. I’d never had a thing for geeky looking guys, but damn. This was very confusing for me. I had no idea if being celibate for the past month and a half had something to do with my hormones running wild, but it was the only explanation I would accept under the circumstances.
“Do you two need to be alone?” Uziel’s voice shattered the magic of the moment.
We both drew back a bit and stared into each other’s eyes.
“My friends want to meet you,” I said, hoping to sound as if his warm hands centered on my lower back were not driving me crazy. Fucking hormones.
“Sure.” He pulled back all the way, dropping his arms to the sides.
Uziel laughed next to us. “Boy, you two are really obvious.”
My attention snapped to Dakota’s cousin. “Obvious?” I asked, eyebrows arching as I gaped at him.
He nodded. “You two have the hots for each other.”
Fighting the urge to roll my eyes, I folded my arms over my breasts. How could Uziel assume so much over such a simple gesture? It was only a hug. Nothing more.
“We’re just friends,” Dakota added, mirroring my exact words from moments before.
“Whatever you say.” Uziel shrugged.
I looked away, slightly embarrassed. There was no denying how fast my blood pumped through my body, or how, even though Dakota had already released me, I could still feel the warmth from his skin on my back, reminding me over and over again where he’d touched me.
“Uh, would you mind following me?” Grabbing Dakota’s wrist, I pulled him along as I made my way toward my grinning friends. “There are a few people I want you to meet.”
“So who are they?” Uziel asked as he followed Dakota and me. “I mean, I already know Delilah, but I’m not really familiar with all of them. At least not by name.”
Dakota knowing Delilah should not have been such a surprise to me. She socialized with many people from campus, but for some reason I felt as if there was something about being more than just passing acquaintances that put me on high alert for some reason. She had certainly never mentioned either of them before and I wondered at that. What was she trying to hide? Why had she said everything she knew about Dakota had been passed down to her when it was obvious the guys knew her—or seemed to know her better than I originally thought?
“Some friends I want to introduce you to,” I replied.
Both guys said nothing else until we reached the area where my good friends were still waiting. Once we were within earshot, I introduced everyone.
“Michaela you already know.” I pointed to her with my index finger. “This is her boyfriend, Kevin, and my best friend, Audrey.” I pointed to each and every one of them, who in turn, acknowledge Dakota with a quick bow of the head. “Guys, this is Dakota, and his cousin, Uziel.”
Dakota extended one hand for Kevin, who shook it briefly before releasing it.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Kevin said, holding his hand out for Uziel. “And you too.”
“Thanks.” Uziel shook Kevin’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you all.” Releasing Kevin’s hand, he took a step back.
“I suspect we’re going to see a lot more of each other from now on,” Delilah commented as she eyed Dakota. He shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other as they exchanged looks.
“I think so too.” I leaned against Dakota and he surprised us all by draping one arm over my shoulders and pulling me to him. Even Kevin seemed a little stunned. I glanced up at those dark round orbs he had for eyes and smiled contently, openly showing off my gladness and he quickly returned the gesture.
Dakota was playing his part well and I was thoroughly satisfied with that. As long as he had no problem spending time with me, we’d have no problem convincing others of our supposed relationship. Maybe this strangely concocted plan of mine would work out well for the both of us. Maybe by the time we went our separate ways he’d be happily over Margaret or would have the satisfaction of seeing her beg for his forgiveness—whichever he preferred—and I would have the pleasure of letting Kirk know he wasn’t the only one that could play mind games.
Content with how well things were working out, I turned my attention back to my entourage, but quickly noted their attention was centered elsewhere. Any concerns I had over how well we were handling things vanished the second I realized we were no longer the center of attention.
Since no one stared directly at us but off into the distance, I followed the direction of their gazes and realized why they had suddenly gotten so quiet.
Kirk stood to one side a few feet from us, glowering as he eyed first Dakota, and then me. I had no idea what was going through his head, but he definitely looked furious. My inner demon rose, tossed a sombrero on the floor, and danced around it in celebration of the perfect timing. There was no doubt in my mind that Kirk was simmering with jealousy and that suited me more than he’d ever know. Just as I had predicted, he could not stand the sight of me with someone else and it clearly showed in his expression.
I wanted to openly gloat. I wanted to laugh in his face. Hell, I even wanted to stick my tongue out at him, but decided against it. Appearing as if I could care less of him or what he thought of us was the better option. His ego would receive a double strike by not only having to see me with someone else, but because my behavior showed him that he was nothing to me anymore and that he, too, could be easily replaced.
Dakota stared right back, as if challenging Kirk to say something. But Kirk did not utter a single word, he just stood there and glared until one of his friends grabbed a hold of his arm and pulled him away.
“Somebody’s upset.” Delilah stifled a laugh with the back of her hand.
I shrugged. “I don’t think anyone present right now cares.”
Though watching Kirk’s reaction really did it for me, I felt slightly cheated over the fact that Margaret was nowhere within sight. I would have loved to see her reaction, especially if it turned out to be anything like Kirk’s, but the girl was noticeably absent.
I had no clue whether she had seen us and had decided to avoid an awkward situation by sneaking into the building by means of another entrance, but I figured it didn’t matter. Many had seen us together and even if none were her friends, the rumors would start to spread soon enough.
Margaret’s reasons for skipping out eluded me. So far Dakota appeared to be a fairly decent guy, but looks could be deceiving. On the other hand she could have just gotten bored of the monotonous relationship and decided to open her legs for someone else’s significant other, which, under normal circumstances, would have gone on without much of a problem. But as luck would have it, she just happened to mess with the wrong guy—mine.
“Still meeting me for lunch?” I asked Dakota, pushing all thoughts of Kirk and his mistress aside.
Nodding, he replied with, “Yep.”
“We better get going people or we’ll be late for classes.” Michaela tugged on Kevin’s hand as she started for the front entrance. Delilah and Audrey soon followed and although I noted the moment Uziel stepped in next to Audrey and struck a conversation with her, I didn’t put mind to it.
With Dakota’s arm still draped over my shoulders, we started toward the entrance.
“The game is on,” he said. “But I’m not sure where it’s going though.”
I laughed. “I don’t know either, but whatever happens happens.”
He nodded. “You’re not easily dissuaded, are you?”
I shook my head. “No. When I want something, I don’t stop until I get it.”
He didn’t look the least bit surprised. “Yeah, I can already tell that much.”
Glancing up at him, I added, “I’m pretty sure that by the time this is all over with, we will know a lot more about each other.”
He didn’t argue with me. “I believe that.”
“On a more positive note, you’ll be spending a lot more time with me,” I teased, knowing deep down that I was probably digging a hole I wouldn’t be able to climb out of. Our pretense could either work greatly to our advantage or end up screwing us more than what we’d already been.
Dakota didn’t seem all that concerned though because he looked at me and flashed his pearly whites in my direction. That simple gesture I found to be absolutely captivating. He may not have been drop dead gorgeous but he definitely had his charms. And his smile was sexy as hell.
We continued on into the building as if nothing was amiss. The barrage of people who stopped, stared, and murmured did not escape my notice. Even when I couldn’t make out what they were saying I had a pretty good idea what the fuss was about.
Rumors had already begun to spread like wildfire. Those who knew me were surprised to see me with someone other than Kirk. And I could only speculate as to how shocking it was for everyone to see me trade down—as some would put it—but since no one knew the real reasons or the motives behind the huge change I didn’t care. It felt good to walk down the hall with Dakota, knowing that soon others would be talking about it and Kirk would be the butt of their jokes.
Phase one had been set up, and the only thing I needed to do was wait and see what fruits I’d be able to gather on my way to phase two.