Temporary

 

I emerged from the bathroom and found Knox leaning against the back of the couch, arms crossed and a scowl on his face. When he noticed me, his face lit up, and he immediately stalked toward me.

“Let’s stay in.”

“You know we can’t.” Maybe I would have agreed, and endured the wrath of Theo, if it was an ordinary night out, but it was his birthday.

“Come to my room after we get home, then.”

It wasn’t a question, and I bit my lip, debating the best way to phrase my next statement. “I can’t,” I said simply, not wanting to tell him the real reason—I had already promised Theo I’d stay in his room, sleep in his bed.

Knox’s lips hovered next to mine. “Can’t or won’t?”

“I, um . . .” I lost my train of thought as he ran his hands along my sides, then cupped my backside, pulling me flush against him. The temptation to kiss him was overwhelming until I heard footsteps and pushed myself away just in time to meet Theo at the bottom of the stairs.

“Ta-da,” he announced. I gave him a once-over, taking in the fedora, button-down shirt, black slim-fit slacks, and unique shoes. He was even more retro than usual, and the look suited him to a T.

“Mmm, love the shoes,” he said appreciatively, admiring the high, black peep-toe heels with an ankle strap. His eyes traveled up my body, lingering on the sweetheart neckline of the vintage-style dress I’d also purchased for the occasion. It was black and flirty, with a cross-neck halter and skirt that flared when I twirled. “And the dress.”

Theo turned my hand over to reveal my forearm, trailing a finger down the sensitive skin and grazing over a temporary tattoo of a bicycle. “Nice touch. Are there more?”

“Maybe,” I said coyly. After the practice one, I got carried away and ended up with several retro tattoos scattered in various places on my body.

He leaned closer, but before he could utter the words on his lips, Knox asked, “Are you finally ready?”

“Yes.” Theo turned to his brother. “I’m glad you can’t wait to get to the club.”

“I can’t wait to get this evening over with.”

Theo ignored Knox’s comment and offered me his arm. “You look incredible.”

“Of course she does. And, it took her half the time it took you to get ready.”

“Whatever, brother. You’re just jealous that Haley’s my date.”

Knox grunted his agreement but said no more as we followed him out to the truck. Twenty minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot of the jazz club and paused before shutting off the engine. “Theo,” he said with a tone that hinted at an oncoming lecture.

“You do remember I’m turning twenty-two, right?”

“I don’t care if you’re turning twenty-two or eighty-two, you’ll always be my little brother. And, when it comes to your birthday, things have a habit of getting out of hand.”

“Psh. You need to let loose, live a little.”

Theo opened the car door, quickly slipping his hand into mine, and I glanced back at Knox to find his face an unreadable mask. When we walked past the bar, he stayed behind to order a drink, and I withdrew my hand from Theo’s and proceeded to dig in my purse, feigning a desperate need for lip gloss. Theo may have been happy to broadcast to his friends that we were together, but I didn’t feel comfortable doing so while dating four other guys.

A group of Theo’s friends were waiting for us at one of the large tables in the back, including Drew, Max and her boyfriend, and a few other faces I recognized. Logan hovered near Kara, who smiled when she noticed our arrival. Liam and Chase were in Dallas, again, but I was surprised Jackson wasn’t already here.

And, then, I spotted Tyler. His arm was draped over a petite girl with caramel-colored skin and glasses, and a look of surprise flickered over his face when he noticed me. This could get awkward.

Theo greeted his guests, his hand on the small of my back. Tyler shook Theo’s hand and smiled warmly at me, then introduced me to his girlfriend, Megan. Theo and Megan debated the merits of various vintage cocktails before wandering to the bar, leaving me alone with Tyler.

“It’s good to see you, Haley.”

“You too.”

“I’m glad you’re back. I hope everything’s okay.”

“Thanks,” I said, unwilling to explain my reasons for leaving. “Megan seems nice. How did you two meet?”

He smiled fondly at her, then turned back to me. “Don’t laugh, but we met on this dating app, Strike.”

“That’s great. My best friend tried a dating app, but most of her dates have been duds. I’ll have to tell her about it.”

“You and Theo, huh?”

I glanced around nervously, hoping for an out, and discovered Jackson sitting at the bar with Knox, drink in hand. When did he sneak in?

“Can I steal Haley for a minute?” Kara placed her hand on my arm and tugged me away without giving Tyler a chance to respond.

“Thanks for rescuing me. He was starting to ask about me and Theo.”

“Hmm, Theo. Is that who you’re dating now?” she teased, knowing full well I was dating all of Team Jaguar. She had yet to push for answers, and I knew I couldn’t put off that discussion much longer.

“For tonight.”

“I probably should have warned you that Tyler might be here. I know he had a thing for you in the past, but he’s head over heels for Megan.”

“I wish Theo had thought to mention it,” I grumbled.

“Boys.” We shared a knowing look.

“Speaking of boys, what’s up with Logan? He’s watching you like a sad puppy dog.”

“Ugh.” She rolled her eyes. “He wants to go public with our relationship. He said he’s, and I quote, ‘tired of feeling like my dirty little secret.’”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah, whatever. I can’t deal with his drama right now.”

“I’m happy to listen, if you want to talk about it.”

“I’ll think about it. What I really want to talk about is your love triangle. Wait, there are six of you, a love . . . hexagon. Damn.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s ridiculous.”

“I need a refill, and this isn’t the best place to talk. Hang out tomorrow?”

“I’d love to.”

“Love to what?” Theo slipped his arm around my waist. “Dance with me?”

“Of course,” I answered quickly, hoping he hadn’t overheard me and Kara.

As he led me to the dance floor, the song changed to a slow, seductive tune. There were a number of other couples dancing, including Tyler and Megan and Drew and another of Theo’s friends. Logan soon joined us, dancing with a girl I’d never seen before.

I spotted Kara sipping a cocktail and standing at the edge of the dance floor. Although I was curious to see her reaction, I was too busy trying to spy on Knox and Jackson without being obvious. Two girls had approached them, and one of them was touching Jackson’s forearm while the other had a wide smile aimed at Knox. I was on the verge of marching over there and telling the girls to back off when Theo pulled me closer and slid his hands down to my butt. I placed my hands over his and guided them back up to my waist.

“Haley, you seem tense. Does this have something to do with the incident that occurred the last time we were here?”

“What?” I tore my eyes away from Jackson and the brunette chatting with him. “No.” My unfortunate encounter with the drunk guy in the hallway near the bathrooms hadn’t even crossed my mind.

“I know what will help.” His head dipped, and I quickly turned mine so his lips landed next to my mouth. “You know, kissing is naturally relaxing. It increases oxytocin levels as well as endorphins, making you feel calm and happy.”

“Is that so? When did you become Bill Nye the Science Guy?”

“Since I started taking human sexuality this semester.”

I cocked my head, knowing I would have remembered if he was taking a class on sex.

“It’s the psychology class I mentioned.”

Not prepared for him to go into the details of the class, I asked, “What does it have to do with your major?”

“I needed a psychology credit, and it sounded interesting. Although, it’s not quite what I expected.”

Afraid to inquire further, and risk embarrassment, I remained silent. Theo opened his mouth, as if to say something, but held me closer instead, and we spent the next few songs dancing and enjoying the music. When I glanced back at the bar, Knox and Jackson were nowhere to be seen. I tried not to panic at what that meant, surprised when a throat cleared behind me.

“My turn.” Knox plucked me out of Theo’s arms and into his.

He clasped my hand and placed it over his heart. With the other draped around my waist, he pulled me close, swaying slowly to the music. I was tempted to rest my head against his muscular chest, but I resisted. I didn’t want any of Theo’s friends who assumed we were together to think I was cheating on him with Knox. Why was this so complicated?

“Are you having a good time?”

“Are you?” I couldn’t mask the accusatory tone in my voice.

He looked down at me, his eyes searching mine, and waited until he had my full attention. “If you’re referring to the girls who hit on me and Jax, we shut them down. So, to answer your question, I’m having a good time now.”

I softened and allowed myself to relax in his arms, finally able to breathe again with the confirmation that he was mine.

When the song ended, we reluctantly returned to the group. Theo was sipping a cocktail and talking to Max and her boyfriend, so I slid into a nearby booth where Jackson sat alone. Knox followed, sandwiching me between them.

“Hi.” Jackson’s voice was low.

“Hi.” I smiled, feeling my cheeks heat under his intense gaze.

His pinky touched mine before straying to my knee. I tried to converse as if nothing was happening, but he slowly inched his hand up my thigh, and I found it incredibly difficult to focus on the conversation as his thumb stroked my skin.

“Haley, good to see you. Your hair looks fantastic!”

My knee hit the underside of the table. I was so absorbed with Jackson that I hadn’t even noticed Max and her boyfriend until they were sliding into the booth across from us.

“Max, hi. Thanks. YouTube.”

“Awesome. I keep thinking about filming some tutorials.”

“You should.”

Theo approached, drink in hand. “I’d like to sit next to my date.”

I could feel a wave of tension roll off Knox as he rose to give Theo his seat. He left us to talk with Tyler, and Theo wrapped an arm around my shoulder, drawing me in and placing a kiss in my hair.

Max grinned. “I always said that you and Theo would be cute together.”

I laughed nervously and racked my brain for a different topic, one that didn’t involve my rather complicated love life. Max was on the verge of asking another question when Jackson came to my rescue.

“What have you been reading these days?” he asked, coaxing me into conversation with him instead.

We discussed books and their film versions, and I lost track of time as Theo’s friends came and went. As much as I was enjoying talking with Jackson, it had been a long day, and I failed to stifle a huge yawn.

Theo gulped down the rest of his drink. “I need to get Haley to bed, so we’re going to head out.”

I coughed loudly, choking on nothing but air.

Drew gave me an assessing look before grinning at Theo. “So, you finally did it, huh? I was starting to think you were obsessed with the only girl you couldn’t get.”

My embarrassment gone for the moment, my head spun to stare at Theo. He’d been . . . obsessed with me? How had I not realized?

Without looking away from me, Theo answered Drew. “Yeah, I finally did it.” Then, he leaned forward and fused his mouth to mine. Too shocked to do anything but kiss him back, I tried to ignore the fact that Jackson was sitting on my other side and at least three other people were watching.

When he released me after several long moments, the first thing I saw was Knox’s stormy face. He stalked out of the club, and I nudged Theo, desperately needing to escape as well.

“I’ll meet you outside,” I said to Theo, before turning to the other occupants of the booth and forcing a smile. “It was good to see you all again.”

I glanced at Jackson as I darted toward the door, surprised to see him give me a smile and nod of his head. Was he okay with the fact that Theo claimed me in front of his friends?

When I reached the parking lot, I slowed and put my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath. Knox’s boots stopped in front of me, and I braced myself for a lecture.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know Theo was going to—”

“Haley, stop.” He pulled me into a hug. “I’m not mad at you.”

“But, you looked so angry.”

“Yes, at Theo. He never should have mauled you like that in public. He knows better.”

When we returned to the loft, Knox disappeared to his room without another word, leaving me and Theo alone. Before he could jog up the stairs, I asked, “Why did you kiss me in front of everyone?”

“Because I wanted to.”

“So, it had nothing to do with Drew?”

“Okay, yeah, maybe a little.”

I stared at him, unimpressed. “Why do you care what he thinks?”

“I don’t, but after his comment about finally convincing you to date me, I couldn’t resist showing off. I’m sorry.”

“Did your friends really think you were into me this entire time?” I avoided repeating the term obsessed.

He chuckled. “I can’t believe you have to ask that question. You’re beautiful, kind, smart, fun, sexy . . . the whole package. You’re my dream girl,” he added in a softer voice. “Have been since the day I met you.” His gaze drifted to the floor. “I don’t deserve you.”

My heart plummeted into my stomach. “Theo,” I said, inching closer. “How can you say that? You’re amazing—I’ve never met anyone like you. Don’t sell yourself short, okay?”

He nodded, and my earlier anger vanished. Despite all of Theo’s confidence, he had his doubts, too. And, considering it was his birthday, I decided to give him a pass. “Just don’t put me in that position again.”

His hazel eyes met mine. “I won’t. You are more important to me than anyone, anything, else.”

I pressed my lips to his. “I’m going to change. I’ll be up in a minute.”

“You’re still going to spend the night with me?”

“Of course.”

I got ready for bed while Theo headed upstairs to do the same. Knowing he liked my short shorts, I put a pair on, along with his vintage Coca-Cola T-shirt, and crept upstairs.

His door was mostly closed, but through the opening I saw him unbutton his shirt. I couldn’t look away, even though I knew I should. When he removed his pants and turned to the side, I could see his defined abdominals, as well as the bulge in his boxer briefs. On the verge of sneaking back downstairs and hiding in my room, the sound of Theo’s voice stopped me in my tracks. “Enjoying the show?” he asked, pulling on pajama pants.

Intending to make a smart comeback, the words died on my lips when he turned to face me. Still shirtless, his pants hung low on his hips, and the dim lighting in his room made shadows dance across the lean muscles of his chest. I caught sight of the elusive tattoo he attempted to show off in the hot tub, but only the top of it was visible, and I couldn’t make it out without closer inspection.

He pulled me inside, shutting the door behind us. I’d been in his room a million times, but tonight was different somehow, and I twirled the drawstring on my shorts, unsure where to sit or what to do with myself. Spotting a book on his nightstand, I picked it up, busying myself with the synopsis. Although I felt Theo watching me, I couldn’t force myself to meet his eyes, and I waited anxiously as he moved to stand behind me.

“You’re very quiet. Are you still upset about what happened earlier?” He pulled my hair to the side and kissed my neck.

I shook my head firmly, allowing him to lead me to the bed. He pushed me back gently so that he was leaning partially over me, then pressed his lips to mine. I curled my hand around his neck and held him to me, opening my mouth to let him in. I felt my body relax, despite the excitement coursing through me.

He kissed my lips, then moved to my cheek before proceeding to tease the edge of my ear with his tongue. “So, where are the rest of those tattoos?”

I sucked in a breath, imagining him discovering the one on my side, the one at the top of my thigh.

“Hmm. Is there one here?” He kissed his way down my neck until he reached the barrier of my T-shirt. “Nope. Guess I’ll have to keep looking.”

“I guess so,” I said lazily, feeling pleasantly dazed.

He planted kisses down my shoulder to my forearm, and it tickled when his lips brushed against the delicate skin. “Found one,” he said triumphantly when he rediscovered the bike tattoo. “I wonder what else I’ll find.” He lifted my other hand to his mouth, kissing my palm before working his way up that arm.

Moving to my legs, he started with my right foot and progressed slowly, inch by inch. The anticipation was killing me, and I had forgotten about his quest for my tattoos until he said, “Aha.” He ran his finger over my skin, slowly circling the tattoo on my upper thigh. “A camera. I love it.”

I raised my head and found him poised at the hem of my shirt, his expression questioning. I nodded my consent and felt breathless with anticipation as he lifted my, well his, shirt, his lips trailing behind. They were soft against my skin, and his breath was hot, turning me into an inferno.

Suddenly, he stopped and asked, “Do you think I should grow a mustache?”

I stared at him, flustered by his seemingly random question. “Why do you ask?”

“I discovered a mustache tattoo on your side. How do you think I’d look?”

“You can pull off any look.”

“Thank you! You didn’t really answer my question, but I think I’ll pass, anyway. I hear it’s not very pleasurable.”

“Not very pleasurable?”

“Umm, well, for certain activities.”

“Like kissing?” I was curious now, despite his abashed demeanor. “Because I can imagine it would either tickle like crazy or hurt.”

He buried his face in my stomach, and his voice was muffled when he spoke. “Yeah. Like kissing, just kissing a different body part. A more, um, intimate body part.”

Oh. Oh.

He resumed kissing me, and I wanted to give in to the feeling of his lips on my stomach, but I was turning into a ball of worry. I saw the way Theo, and the other guys, looked at me, and while I was sheltered, I wasn’t clueless. Plus, he was taking a class on sex, and he knew, well, stuff.

“Does my lack of experience bother you?” I blurted, regretting my words almost immediately.

“What?” Theo shook his head, lifting it to look at me. “Jiminy Christmas, why would you think that?”

I wished I could duck my head beneath the covers. “I don’t know.”

“If anything, it makes you even more desirable, at least to me. Where’s this coming from?” He tipped my chin up to meet his eyes. “Hmm?”

“I guess seeing your friends tonight, being at the jazz club, reminded me of Kenzi.”

He groaned.

“Let’s take her as an example. I mean, she was sending you suggestive photos, and I’m sure that could’ve been just the beginning, if you wanted.”

“Where are you going with this, songbird?”

“I’m trying to acknowledge that there are a million girls out there who you wouldn’t have to go slow with, you wouldn’t have to . . .”

“Share?” he offered.

“Yes,” I whispered, thankful he could say the word I couldn’t.

“I don’t want to rush through these moments.” He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, cupping my face and forcing my eyes to meet his. “It’s my first time to experience everything with you—kissing you, touching you, pleasuring you.”

My heart fluttered madly beneath my ribs. “But, what about . . .”

“The others?” He finished my sentence again. “It doesn’t bother me.”

“How?” I thought again of the two girls talking with Knox and Jackson at the bar and how I wanted to rip off their heads.

“I don’t know, it just doesn’t. And, no matter what you eventually decide, I’ll always adore you,” he said simply, as if it was the easiest thing in the world to remain friends with someone after breaking up. Somehow, I believed him.

“Come here.” He lay on his side and pulled me into his arms. Facing each other, we fell asleep intertwined.