Chapter 8

I was mildly surprised when Collin called me Thursday night and suggested we drive up to my father’s house together. I had assumed that he’d ride with Morgan – even though Morgan hadn’t made any indications that she’d hooked up with him.

Maybe it hadn’t happened yet. I fought off the hope and agreed to Collin's plan.

Irelyn and Lucas were indeed driving up Saturday afternoon as well as Spencer. He’d already had plans to hang out with creepy Owen Friday night.

Collin picked me up Friday afternoon in a rented van and we set off with the windows down.

He’d left Milo with Tori, the cat lover, and I’d left Otis with my neighbor, the elderly Mrs. Wesley, who’d fallen in love with him the first time she saw him.

I avoided mentioning Morgan – quite frankly, I didn’t want to hear about it – and kept the conversation casual. We mostly talked about the puppies – just like proud parents. Once we grew bored with that, I filled him in on my dad and Steffi before giving him a brief description of my old high school friends.

“So, who is this enemy of yours that you got into a, and I quote, ‘pissing match’ with last time you were home?” he asked, amused.

I snorted. “She’s a spiteful bitch. I don’t think Steffi is friendly with her family so I don’t know if they’ll be at the party. But, who knows – if Daddy set up this party, then your guess is as good as mine who’ll show up there.”

He grinned his sexy smile and my heart flew out the window. “Well, it will be fun, I’m sure.”

“It won’t be boring,” I mused as I glanced out the window.

When I directed him to my father’s house, he let out a low whistle. I gave him a puzzled look which made him laugh.

“You live in Dalefield when you could live here?”

“It’s not all that you would think,” I said as he parked in the horseshoe drive.

I got out of the van and waited for him to join me before I walked into the house. Tilda embraced me as if she hadn't seen me in ages before I introduced her to Collin. He greeted her warmly as I scouted out the living room for signs of Steffi. I was eager for her to meet Collin but she was nowhere to be seen.

“Mrs. Foxworth is out on the deck, on the phone,” Tilda said. “And I have the guest rooms ready if you’d like to take your stuff upstairs.”

“Thank you so much,” I said and gestured for Collin to follow. He admired the tasteful art Steffi had purchased and listened as I explained each piece. I showed him to the guest room right across the hall from my room and stood in the doorway as he dropped his bag, his eyes sweeping the room.

“Damn, Bailey, this is nicer than my whole apartment,” he said.

“Come see my room,” I said as I grabbed his hand and dragged him across the hall. My room was large with French doors that opened onto a deck with a wonderful view of the lake. A set of steps led to the main deck directly below on the walkout level.

“This is beautiful,” he said as he stepped out on the deck. I followed him and stood at the rail, watching a sailboat graze the water. “Do you sail?”

“Yeah, right,” I scoffed. “I do have a jet ski, though. Want to try it?”

He grinned at me. “Hell yeah.”

I returned his grin and grabbed his hand. “Let’s go see Steffi first then I’ll take you out on the lake.”

I could see the approval in Steffi’s eyes as soon as she shook Collin’s hand and it meant more to me than I could ever explain. Too bad it would never happen between Collin and me, but I respected her approval nonetheless.

After we changed into bathing suits, we hit the lake. He helped me drag the jet ski to the water and I climbed on front, making him perch behind me and wrap his arms around my waist. It took all my concentration to maneuver the damn thing through the waters but I managed. And once I was sure he could handle it, I switched places and let him drive.

By the time we got back to the house and showered, Daddy was home. He greeted Collin as warmly as Steffi had, shooting me a discreet wink of approval.

We dined out on the deck and it just felt so natural – like everything was right. I was beginning to feel all warm and fuzzy and let me tell you, it was a strange concept.

Daddy and Collin talked about the band and Steffi quizzed Collin about what songs they’d play. She made several requests in which Collin informed her they could do if she wanted. His approval rating rose and I had to suppress my laughter.

After dinner, Daddy and Collin enjoyed a glass of scotch and a cigar.

“Hey, Steffi,” I asked as I sipped a glass of wine. “Any parties going on tonight that Collin and I can crash?”

Daddy chuckled and gazed upon me fondly. “Pumpkin, don’t you want to show Collin the town?”

“Not really,” I snorted. “I would rather find a good party.”

“I think Janie Baker is having a party tonight,” Steffi said. “I heard her mother say something about it at the salon today.”

“Excellent,” I grinned, eyeing Collin. “That’s just down the beach. We don’t have to drive and Janie is intimidated enough by me that she won’t say a word if we show up.”

“Oh, Bailey,” Daddy groaned.

“Grant,” Steffi gently chastised. “They’re young. Let them go. Bailey is smart enough not to get in any trouble, you know that.”

I got up and kissed my daddy’s cheek. “We won’t be terribly late but don’t wait up.” I kissed him again. “I love you, Daddy.”

“I know,” he sighed. “I love you, too.”

“Thanks for dinner,” Collin said. “And the scotch. Excellent, by the way.”

“You’re very welcome. Take care of my little girl,” Daddy said.

“Always,” Collin said with a smile.

Taking Collin's arm, I dragged him down the deck steps to the beach. We walked a short way in silence but I knew it wouldn’t last.

“Okay, Bailey – fess up. What kind of trouble are you walking me into?”

I stopped to laugh – even wiping the tears from my eyes. “Geez, Collin, it’s not that bad. Janie doesn’t hate me, per se, but she’s not what I’d call a good friend.” I tucked my hand in his arm. “But some people who do actually like me will be there so all is good.”

He patted my hand dubiously. “I’ll take your word for it.” When I grinned, he untucked my hand and laced his fingers through mine. “Let’s go.”

We hadn't walked far when we spotted the bonfire and heard the music. I tensed a little, knowing that Veronica more than likely would be there, and he felt it.

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing,” I shrugged. “We’re almost there.”

My apprehension increased as we neared the crowd and that was puzzling in itself. These people never, ever scared me before and I knew I could handle them. I had to chalk it up to Collin’s presence.

Once we reached the others, it didn’t take me long to find my old high school gang – including Kora.

“Bailey!” Kora exclaimed. “I thought you wouldn’t be back until tomorrow!”

She hugged me and I endured it briefly until I drew back to stand next to Collin. “This is Collin. Collin – Kora.”

“Oh, hi,” she said coyly, her eyes appraising him. “Um, Janie’s around somewhere. I’m sure she’d like to see you.”

“I bet,” I said. I glanced at Collin. “Let’s find something to drink.”

It wasn’t hard to find the alcohol stash and I supplied both of us with a cold beer. As we stood near the coolers, surveying the party, I pointed people out and made him laugh at my narrations.

“Why is this Janie intimidated by you?” he asked.

I barked out a hollow laugh. “That’s probably Veronica’s fault. Veronica likes to run her mouth and I guess she doesn’t paint the greatest picture of me. Janie’s like a little mouse. If she only had a spine she’d be all right.”

“This Veronica sounds intriguing,” he said as he sipped his beer. “I’d love to meet her.”

I lifted a shoulder. “Okay.”

He reached out to grab my arm. “I’m joking, Bailey. Don’t approach her – she’ll just think you’re looking for trouble.”

“Maybe I am,” I whispered as I looked into his eyes.

“Then we can find it elsewhere,” he said as he stared unblinkingly at me.

My heart stammered as it pondered his words. Was he suggesting we slip away and…well, repeat our last performance?

He moved closer so that he towered over me and I had to crane my neck to see his face. He lifted a hand to trace my jaw with his index finger and I had to lock my knees to keep from collapsing.

I thought about the tall beach grass that grew on the dunes and how wonderfully concealing it could be. My cheeks burned and I was sure Collin could feel the heat but I didn’t move away from him. I couldn’t.

“Who invited the whore?” a nasty voice called and broke me out of my trance.

I stiffened and turned, angry not only at the words but for them interrupting what could have been an awesome moment.

“Don’t you ever get tired of running your mouth?” I asked as I stepped away from Collin and approached Veronica. “Because everyone sure gets tired of hearing it.”

“I really doubt that,” she scoffed. “And I know that you were trying to find out about my boyfriend so you could try to seduce him. Everyone told me.”

Laughing, I inched closer, my hands fisted at my side. “Scared? Think he’ll dump you for the chance to be with me?”

“No,” she snorted, nose scrunched up in disgust. “He’d rather be with a classy woman than a tramp.”

“Then what the hell is he doing with you?” I asked, brow raised. I took another step toward her and gently patted her cheek. “Don’t worry – I don’t want your boyfriend.”

“Good,” she said smugly, pulling her head away from me. “Because I was about to show you what it’s like to have someone go after your boyfriend – but wait – you don’t have one! That’s right – boys don’t want you for a girlfriend. They just want you for sex.”

“That’s not entirely true,” Collin said as he stepped behind me and wound his arms around my waist. “Not true at all.”

“Who the hell are you?” Veronica asked.

“Collin Newton,” he said as he pecked the top of my hair. “Bailey’s boyfriend. And I guarantee that I’m not just using her for sex.”

My heart shot out of my chest and danced across the lake like a stone skipping the water. I shifted so I could wrap an arm around his waist as a victorious smirk slipped across my lips.

“If you’d like to show me what it’s like to have someone try to sleep with your boyfriend, go ahead,” I challenged.

Collin shot me a reproachful look. “I think not.” He bent his head and kissed me softly, causing my stomach to twist. “I have everything I want here.”

I rolled my eyes at him and earned a grin but inside I was melting. Oh, I knew he was just putting on a show but it didn’t matter at that moment. I’d play along for as long as I could.

“He’s a little cheesy but he’s all man and all mine,” I said. His grin widened and his face brightened. “Let’s get another drink and mingle.”

“Let’s,” he said, laughter rolling in his eyes. Lacing his fingers through min, he dragged me away from Veronica and back to the drink table. He snagged a couple beers, twisted the top off of one and handed it to me.

“Thank you,” I whispered, meaning for more than just the beer. He nodded, understanding in his eyes. I took a drink. “That was Veronica, by the way. My biggest fan.”

“I could tell,” he said with a laugh as he glanced over my shoulder. “And she’s watching us like a hawk.” He took my beer out of my hands and set it down along with his. “It’s show time, Bailey – don’t let your fans down.”

He wound one arm around my waist and cupped my cheek with his other hand. Drawing me closer, he pressed his lips lightly to mine. My hands flew to his shoulders and slowly snaked around his neck as his lips grew more demanding. I melded my body to his, eager to erase any space between us, and he held me tighter. I could feel his arousal against my leg and it made my desire shoot up off the charts.

He pulled back only slightly and didn’t let go of me. “Damn, Bailey, you don’t know what you do to me."

With a tiny smirk still on my lips, I kissed him chastely. I nodded down at our flush bodies. “I think I have an idea.”

He laughed and hugged me to his chest – I suspected so he could hide the light flush of his cheeks. “They’re playing our song – let’s dance,” he whispered in my ear.

I shuddered and moved my hands to grip his shoulders. “You dance?” I asked.

He lifted a shoulder and watched the group of kids dancing on the packed sand near a portable CD player.

“Not a whole lot,” he said. His eyes were full of mischief. “But I’d do it for my girlfriend if she really wanted me to.”

“Okay but it has to be a slow one,” I said.

“You got it,” he said as he handed me my drink and latched onto my hand. He eased us toward the dancing group and tapped the shoulder of a girl sitting by the CD player. “Play something slow, would you?”

She shrugged, her body slightly swaying. I wondered if she’d be able to find something slow in her state. But she did – pushing the skip button until she found a laid-back tempo.

Collin’s sexy smile melted my heart – again. He took me in his arms and I rested my cheek against his chest as my body moved in perfect harmony with his. Every so often, he’d drop a kiss on the top of my head.

When the song ended, he waved at the inebriated DJ girl who gave him a thumbs up. He lifted my chin, pecked my lips, and then raised a brow.

“Now what?”

“Well,” I said slowly, pressing my body into his. “We can either make out here in front of everyone or we can go make out in the beach grass.”

A slow smile spread across his mouth and my pulse picked up speed. “Think you can score a blanket? I’d hate for you to get full of sand.”

Excitement shot through me like electricity. I reluctantly ripped my body away from his and my heart cried out in protest. I stood on my toes and kissed the corner of his mouth.

“Let me see what I can do.”

It wasn’t hard to find Janie and even easier to convince her to give me a blanket from the deck. I thanked her, promising to get it back to her someday, and hunted for Collin. He was talking to Guy and a couple other boys I didn’t know so I grabbed his arm and pulled him away.

“Sorry fellows,” I said, not the least bit apologetic. “But he has places to go and people to do.”

Collin shrugged at the guys and wrapped his hand around mine. He allowed me to drag him away from the group and remained silent until we were out of earshot of the party.

“People to do?” he asked.

I squeezed his hand. “Let them think what they want – they will anyway.”

He didn’t say anything else. When we neared my house, I stopped and turned to him. “This is Daddy’s property. Well, not the beach, but all that,” I said as I waved to the sandy yard near the house.

We were far enough away from the house where no one would see or hear us if they were out on the deck so I walked through the loose sand and spread out the blanket in a patch of high dune grass. I sat and patted the spot next to me. Collin dropped beside me.

“You didn’t have to do that at the party, you know,” I said as I plucked a piece of grass and began shredding it.

He propped an arm behind me and cupped my cheek with his other hand. “Yes, I did. I didn’t like what they were saying about you.”

“I’m used to it,” I whispered. “It doesn’t bother me anymore.”

He inched his face closer. “It bothers me.”

I clutched a fist full of his shirt and eased us both to the blanket. He hovered over me briefly before brushing his lips softly over my mouth. My eyes fluttered shut as my arms wound around his neck. He applied a little more pressure and outlined my mouth with his tongue. I moaned and parted my lips. He shifted his body slightly over mine and trailed his fingers down my side as he continued to kiss me. I twined my fingers in his hair and pulled him closer even though it was no easy feat – there wasn’t much space left between us.

His fingers found the hem of my shirt and ducked underneath it. They worked their way slowly up my skin, drawing tiny moans of pleasure from me, until they found my bra. I lifted slightly so he could unhook it and he grinned in my mouth.

It was his turn to moan when his hand slipped under my loosened bra and found my breasts. He ripped his mouth from mine and pushed my shirt up so he could kiss them. I squirmed underneath him as lust blazed through my veins.

“They are so spectacular,” he whispered.

“So you’ve mentioned,” I said, my voice hoarse.

He dragged his lips away from my breasts and up my throat and back to my mouth. His arousal was evident once more and pressing into my leg. And, damn, did I want him.

I swept a hand down his back and over his side to brush the lump in his shorts. He moaned in my mouth and I broke the kiss to smile.

“What’s this? Is someone a little excited?”

His breath was uneven and his eyes chock full of desire. “Maybe a bit. Do you want to take care of that for me?”

I yanked his mouth back to mine, squeezed my eyes shut, and sent out a telepathic message: I’m so, so sorry, Morgan. I really am. But I’m only human and so very weak.

I kept my mouth firmly on his as I answered: “Most definitely.”

I tugged his shirt over his head and before I could find his lips again, he did the same with mine and my bra. He kissed me quickly and then moved his mouth to my throat and my chest and my breasts. I wiggled in anticipation and reached for his shorts.

“Anxious, are we?” he grinned as he made his way back to my face. He brushed my hair behind my ear then worked my shorts off my hips and helped me remove the rest of his clothes.

Then he swore rather loudly.

“Yeah, we’re getting there,” I said, smiling.

He tried to laugh but couldn’t muster one. He kissed my forehead, his naked body covering mine. “I don’t have a condom, Bailey.”

“You never were a boy scout, were you?” I rolled my eyes and swiped at the sand on his shoulder. “I’m clean and on the pill. It’s your choice.”

A slow smile spread across his face as he kissed me again. “Oh, I’m clean.”

I hooked a leg around his waist and he shuddered. “Then what are you waiting for?”

He captured my lips with his and eased into me slowly. Both of us sighed and the desire level rose. I arched into him but he took his time and I could only cling to him and kiss him and writhe in ecstasy.

When he finally picked up the pace, I was nearing the edge and so desperate to take the plunge. I could tell he was, too. I buried my face in the crook of his neck and bit down on his shoulder. He held me as close to his body as possible as we finished and shuddered in each others’ arms. He lowered me to the blanket and rested his forehead on mine, panting heavily.

“Damn, Bailey,” he huffed. “You are unbelievable.”

I yanked his face to mine. “You aren’t so bad yourself, stud.”

He smiled as he dropped next to me, wrapping me in his arms. We stayed still as our bodies settled and when they did, he kissed me tenderly, helped me find my clothes, and brushed the sand off my body. Once we dressed, he shook out the blanket and draped it over his arm. He held my hand all the back to the house.

When we entered through the French doors to my room, the bed loomed before us. I stepped into him.

“Do you want to stay here tonight?” I asked.

I could see the indecision and torment in his eyes. He kissed me softly. “I better not. It is your dad’s house.”

I snorted. “They’re on the top floor – they won’t know.”

He kissed me again. “I don’t think I should.” He held me tightly against him and stroked my hair. “Get some sleep.”

I nodded and stood on my toes to press a quick kiss to his lips. “Good night.”

After he left, I hurried to my bathroom to shower and remove all the sand. When I finished, I curled in my bed, allowing my mind to think about what had just happened and what it meant. I just didn’t have a clue.