Forbidden Fruit (10 page)

“
Oh, I’m sorry,” he put on a matching puppy dog face, “I was up all last night too. I couldn’t stop thinking about you,” he teased. “Please tell me it wasn’t me who kept you awake?” he asked with a hopeful grin.

Instead of admitting that monsters were the real reason I was tired, I plastered on a mischievous, flirtatious smile, “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

“
Lily, you are driving me crazy,” he swore as he grabbed my hands and wound them through his. “You know all you have to say is the word and I’m all yours,” he winked. He was a wickedly talented flirt who I was sure won over many a girl’s heart but it wasn’t him I was looking for a reaction from.

I laughed aloud and chided him, “You are so full of yourself!” swatting at his chest.

He cupped my face between his hands and asked desperately, “Can I kiss you again?”

I was taken aback by his sudden intensity. “Now?” I asked stupidly.

“
No time like the present,” he said as he inched closer.

He moved very slowly, presumably waiting for me to protest. Right before he reached my lips, I glanced over his shoulder to Michael. The look on his face was of pure malicious intent, and it was targeted directly at the back of Jason’s head. Then, he shifted his eyes to mine. There wasn’t the same spear of fury as he looked at me, but it certainly wasn’t all roses. Those dark eyes threw daggers at Jason, yet they seemed to send accusing and warning threats toward me. What have I done, I thought, a fleeting panic dragging its nails across my spine?

I gasped and pulled away from Jason before his lips found mine. He followed my gaze and gave a little laugh, “I see we’ve pissed off your boyfriend.”

“
He’s not my boyfriend!” I protested, still feeling antsy. “And I want to know what’s going on.” I could tell he tried to look confused, but there was a little guilt in his expression, possibly even humor. That just pissed me off.

“
I don’t follow.”

“
How do you know him?” I demanded.

“
I don’t know him,” he said with complete innocence.

I glanced back at Michael who was still visibly seething. I suddenly got the urge to get as far away from Jason as I could, as if he were a bomb about to explode. I grabbed my backpack and headed out of the dining hall without another thought. I didn’t say a single word more to Jason or even say goodbye to Bailey.

I felt compelled to keep walking until I was completely out of Jason’s presence. It was like I was a robot, going through the motions until I reached my locker, and opened it with unnecessary force.

I stared into the open shelf completely dumbfounded. I didn’t understand what had just happened, and for some reason, I couldn’t go back into the dining hall even if I wanted to, not while Jason was there. Several moments later, the bell rang, stirring me out of my haze. I felt a wave of release from my body.

I walked into Art class, gathered my supplies and took my seat. Michael was already sitting next to me, watching me intently. I’m not entirely sure how I knew that because I never made eye contact with him. I couldn’t, fear still strummed through me. But I could feel his eyes, penetrating my very soul. I felt him beckoning me, inviting me to dive into the depths of his obsidian abyss. It was everything I could do not to heed the calling. I wanted to see those beautiful, impossibly deep eyes, but I was afraid. Not of him, but of the mood he was in so recently. But I no longer felt any animosity rolling off him…
Damn it!
I looked.
You are so weak!
I chastised myself.

What I found was unexpected. He was frustrated, nervous, and maybe even a little afraid too. Total confusion swept me as I recalled his seething fury just minutes ago. However, as I tumbled into his murky gaze, I no longer felt afraid. I felt exhilarated. I felt beautiful. I felt safe.

A rousing in his eyes dared me to come closer yet warned me to stay away. An impossible dichotomy. He was dangling forbidden fruit before my eyes, tempting me to take a bite, yet warning me of the consequences. Oh, how I wanted to bite.

Wow, too much.

Shaking my head, I turned to face my painting. I could only imagine the stupid look on my face while I stared at him. Hell, I was probably opening my mouth for a taste of him, watering for the prime.

Get yourself together!

I forced myself to focus on my painting that looked like paint-by-numbers compared to his masterpiece. For the next hour, I silently painted, trying to ignore the goose bumps his constant stares swept across my body.

Several times, I heard him make sounds of frustration. I didn’t look. At one point, he let out a deep breath and cracked his knuckles. Something was bothering him, and I was dying to know what but refused to ask.

“
Lily?” he said at last, not at all sounding sure of himself. The break in silence caught me off guard.

I allowed myself to face him then. How could I deny such a beautiful voice? Especially when he said my name with such a sweet tenor.

“
Lily will…” he broke off and looked down. He then took another deep breath and met my eyes, warily. Then I saw a powerful resolution settle on his features. “Lily, will you have dinner with me tonight?”

“
What?” I blurted out brilliantly. That was the last thing I expected him to say. “Why?”

“
Why not?” he countered.

Why not? That was a good question. I could give several reasons why not, first and foremost being the “mad man” look he donned recently. But, I could also think of reasons why I should, most having to do with his hotness. My resolve rested on none of the above. Instead, I decided I had to know him. I had to know who he was and what he was hiding. He was intriguing, and apparently I couldn’t resist the fruit.

After leaving him sweating for a few, I replied, “Pick me up at seven?”

He smiled and exhaled at the same time, relief lifted his shoulders as they noticeably relaxed. I couldn’t help my smile in return.

I tore through my room looking for an outfit for dinner. I was so worked up about going out with Michael that I couldn’t make a single decision. I didn’t know how to wear my hair, if I should wear a dress, or how I should do my makeup. I was completely coming apart at the seams over a guy I didn’t know the first thing about. Well, that’s not entirely true. I knew he made an amazing painting without getting his brushes wet, then somehow did a magic trick to hide that. He also hated Jason and found something interesting in me. The little I knew about him made me eager for answers, which I fully intended to pry out of him at dinner.

By six-fifty I settled for a cute, light blue summer dress and strappy shoes. I decided to let my hair fall in locks around my shoulders, and was smudging some eyeliner on when I heard the doorbell ring. I gave myself a once over and then bounced down the stairs, entirely too eager to see him.

A thought hit me right as I was opening the door. I never told him where I lived.

He was standing there in an expensive black suit sans the tie. His dark hair fell over his ears, framing his even darker eyes. That chiseled face smiled as he saw me. He was incredibly delicious, not like any guy I had ever come across. I couldn’t believe he was standing on my porch.

He inclined his head, “Lily.”

I smiled, “Michael,” a little breathless.

“Shall we?” he asked.

I locked the front door, and then followed him to an ultra sleek, black Porsche. He opened the passenger door and stood there as I slid into the soft leather seat, the smell of leather and foreign spices tickled my senses. He closed the door behind me like a gentleman. Bonus points for manners.

The engine roared to life as I clasped my seat belt.

“
I see you found my house,” I observed.

He gave me a side look and smirked.

I waited to see if he would elaborate on how he found it. He didn’t.

“
Did you ask Jason?” I guessed.

His face hardened. A muscle worked in his jaw. Okay, so he hates Jason, but why? He was tense at the mention of the name. I waited nervously for him to say something. Several moments passed before the air thinned.

“
You should stay away from him. He’s bad news,” Michael said between clenched teeth.

“
What do you mean bad news?” I pried. I felt like I was instigating a lion.

Michael took a second, clearly trying to word his response just so. “He’s not the ‘good guy’ he is pretending to be.”

“
How do you know him?” I had to get more information. I was becoming exasperated with the vague responses.

“
I don’t really, I just know of his kind,” he replied.

“
So…what, are we talking womanizer or serial killer?” I teased.

“
Take your pick,” he said in all seriousness.

“
Right,” I laughed. Like I was going to believe Jason was a serial killer, and Michael just happened to know this from his reputation.

Michael’s grip on the staring wheel tightened as his speed through the crowded downtown streets increased. I wanted to change the subject to something better, something that didn’t piss him off, which is all I seemed to be doing so far.

“
So, where are we going?”

He grinned, visibly relaxing, “It’s a surprise.”

“
I love surprises.”

“
I know,” he looked pleased with himself.

I sat there and pondered the strangeness of him knowing I like surprises. Was he just being presumptuous, or was it something more? I filed that one away for later. The more time I spent with him, the more questions I had.

We drove through the narrow streets of the peninsula and onto the connector to James Island. With a sideways glance, I attempted a covert assessment of him. He was incredibly hot. Through his suit, I could make out the outline of ripped muscles in his legs and arms. Everything from his hands to his posture to his face, screamed masculinity and dripped with power. He was like a Greek god parading around as a teenager. It was unnerving. It was exhilarating.

He glanced at me and smiled. I returned it automatically. He had just caught me gaping at him, yet he basked in it, not at all seeming to mind. Of course, a guy who looked like him should be completely used to people gawking, a constant stroke of his ego.

We drove out onto Folly Island and parked directly in front of a little restaurant called Café Suzanna. It was a small, quaint place that must have been built twenty or thirty years ago. White washed exterior and candle lit windows, it had all the charm of a beach front bistro, while maintaining the slight elegance of an evening date spot.

Michael opened my door before I had a chance and extended his hand. I took it and gave a little gasp. The moment my hand touched his, I felt a small jolt of electricity skirt up my arm. Not the kind that hurts, but rather the kind that sends pleasurable currents making you want more. He dropped my hand too soon, busying himself with closing the door. I wondered if he felt it too. Wishful thinking.

The hostess sat us immediately at a little table in the back corner, which Michael had apparently reserved. He pulled my chair out for me and pushed it in as I sat. It was as if he came directly out of the Renaissance period. I half expected him to order for me with his old-fashioned mannerisms. Thankfully he didn’t.

“
Wow, everything looks delicious,” I observed. Suddenly realizing how hungry I was. I had bolted from the dining hall before I had lunch.

“
You should try the shrimp and grits,” Michael suggested, pulling me from the thought.

“
My favorite,” I confirmed, “Have you ever had it?”

“
No, but I bet it’s great.”

“
I think I will. What are you having?”

“
I believe I will have the Crab Au Gratin,” he said.

The server came by just then and did a double take. I bet anyone who saw him would do the same, and she wasn’t blind. She stuttered a little and then said, “My name is Sara. Can I start you with a sweet tea or maybe a coke?”

Michael tentatively looked at me. “I would love a sweet tea please,” I said.

Michael grinned at me and then requested for the same. While waiting for our drinks, I tried to think of something to say. I knew there were answers that I wanted but at the moment I couldn’t think of any questions to ask. The weight of his stare blanketed my mind with a haze. I couldn’t formulate a single intelligible thing to say while I was in that embrace.

I shivered, crossing my arms as my body finally registered the temperature in the café. I was always cold natured and should have thought to bring an extra layer just in case. Michael stood up, shrugged out of his jacket, and placed it around my shoulders. I inhaled the exotically enticing aroma of him. I happily snuggled in the jacket that swallowed me, then I placed my arms in sleeves that hung a good six inches over my fingers.

“
Better?” he asked, smiling.

“
Thanks,” I grinned.

We ordered our food and then fell into a quiet lapse that consisted of him staring at me, and me making eye contact and then promptly looking away. I was blushing with what I’m sure was a childish grin. I couldn’t stop smiling around him. The way he looked at me, the way he made me feel, it was intoxicating.