Chapter 7—Heather

I clenched my jaw as I followed Darian upstairs to his loft. Who the hell did he think he was dragging me out of the bar like that? I was having fun! And that guy I’d been dancing with was hot. Not as hot as Darian, but he would’ve done the job. I hadn’t been with anyone since Bryan, and that was weeks ago. My entire body was wound tight, and I needed to find some sort of release. Sadly, I didn’t have my vibrator with me, and it was weird to even think about using my fingers while sleeping in Nathan’s bed. I could always get myself off in the shower… But now that I knew Darian wanted me and how it felt to kiss him, I craved a man’s touch. I wanted someone to kiss me and hold me while I got off. And not just any random guy. I wanted Darian.

Even though I knew it was wrong, even though I knew I shouldn’t want him, I did. He was so unlike any guy my age. Darian was older, mature, more experienced. He had his own business, his own home…he was settled and secure in his life. And that’s what I wanted. I wanted to be with someone who was all those things, who wouldn’t play games with my heart while he tried to figure out what to do with his life, which is exactly what guys my age did.

He unlocked the door, and I stepped inside. Kicking off my shoes, I dropped my purse on the entryway table and headed into the living room. I made it exactly four steps before the rain started. It was harder than the last rainstorm, more violent. I looked out the window and noticed tree branches whipping around in the wind.

“Seriously, Heather. What the hell were you thinking? You’re not old enough to drink. And did you even know that guy? What if he tried something with you?”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I pointed at him. “Newsflash, Darian. You are not my father. You don’t get to tell me what to do and who to do it with. Maybe I liked that guy. Ever think of that?”

He snorted. “Yeah, right. He looked like a rich prick. He’s probably still sucking on mommy’s tit while counting the millions in his trust fund.”

I threw my hands up in frustration. “What the hell is your problem?” I poked his chest. “You were so nice to me when I got here. Hugging me and comforting me and letting me stay here. We kiss one time, and then you do everything in your power to avoid me.” My voice cracked. “I lost one best friend, and my other one hasn’t even bothered to call me back. You can’t stand to be in the same room with me. Ever think maybe I’m just bored? And lonely?”

He stared at me a moment before his shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry, Heather. I didn’t think about it that way, but getting drunk and hooking up with some random guy is not the answer.”

I grunted and crossed my arms. “I’m not drunk.”

“You’re slurring your words.”

“Whatever.” Okay, so maybe I was a little tipsy, but I knew what I was saying and doing, and I knew I’d remember everything in the morning.

“You should drink some water. It will help lessen your hangover in the morning.” He moved around me and headed to the kitchen.

I followed. He turned on the lights and they flickered. Outside, the rain came down harder, pelting the windows. “And for the record, I wasn’t going to sleep with that guy. I’ve never done anything like that.”

“Anything like what? Have a one-night stand?” He handed me a bottle of water.

“Yeah.” I shrugged. “Or had sex.”

He froze. “Are you telling me…?”

“I’m a virgin.” I had no idea why I told him that right now, like this, but the idea that he thought I was some slut who would hook up with random guys really bugged me. I wasn’t that kind of girl, and I didn’t want him to think I was. Sure, I’d done other things—oral and fingers—but I was still a virgin in the sense that I’d never had a cock inside of me. But I was ready to change that. Not that I wanted to have sex with some random guy just so I could say I was no longer a virgin, but I did want to know what it was like to give myself to someone like that.

“And you were going to give that fucking shithead your virginity?” His tone bordered on deadly, and his eyes were just as lethal.

“No. I told you I wasn’t going to sleep with him.” I had said that aloud, hadn’t I? Okay, maybe I was drunker than I realized.

“What did you think was going to happen? That he’d take you home and cuddle? Or you’d spend all night talking?” He pushed away from the fridge and stalked toward me. “I don’t think so, sweetheart. He was expecting a hell of lot more, and he would’ve gotten it one way or another.”

Icy cold tendrils of fear coiled around my stomach and squeezed. I swallowed hard. “Guess it’s a good thing you showed up then, huh?”

“If he so much as messed up a hair on your head, I would’ve fucking killed him, Heather. He’s lucky I didn’t cold cock him when I had the chance.”

His words stunned me, but the emotion behind them rocked me to my core. “Why?” I whispered.

“What?”

“It’s my body. My virginity. I can do whatever I want with it. Why do you even care?”

He scowled. “Why do I care?” His words were slow and calculated. “The fact you had to ask me that shows exactly how little you know about men and the effect you have on them. You’re a walking fucking temptation, Heather, and I wish I could say I was immune. But I’m not. You know damn well I’m not.” He took a small step back and tilted his head. “What about me?”

“What about you?”

“If I hadn’t put my foot down and stopped things from going further…” He swallowed hard enough for me to see the bob of his Adam’s apple.

I took a drink of water to cool the heat rising in me. I knew damn well where he was going with this question, and I wasn’t sure what to say, so I remained silent, forcing him to actually ask.

“Does that mean…?”

“You would’ve been my first,” I admitted.

“Fuck! Seriously, Heather? Your first?” He walked out of the kitchen, and it sounded like he kicked something, but I couldn’t be sure that was him and not the storm. “Fuck.” That was definitely him.

I remained where I was, sipping my water, knowing he needed a minute to process what I’d just told him. I was sure it wasn’t every day he had a younger woman offering up her virginity like it was no big deal. A dull ached throbbed in my temples. I searched the cabinets for aspirin and took two before following him into the living room. He stood in front of the window, hands on top of his head.

“You won’t have to deal with me much longer. Jessa will be home tomorrow. I’ve already arranged for her to pick me up in the morning, then I’ll be out of your hair.”

He turned to look at me but didn’t say anything.

“Let me know when my car’s done, and I’ll come back to pick it up.”

“This storm has stranded a lot of people.” He turned back to stare out the window. “Nathan is stuck in Phoenix until it passes. Our deliveries are delayed, too, which means it’s going to take longer to get your car fixed.”

“That’s okay.” Hesitantly, I went to stand next to him. The sky was pitch black, except for when lightning sliced through the darkness. Thunder cracked and boomed so hard and loud, it felt like it was shaking the entire building. “Is Nathan safe?”

Darian nodded. “I talked to him earlier. He’s riding out the storm in a hotel.”

A stab of jealousy punched my chest. Darian had talked to Nathan? Why hadn’t Nathan returned any of my calls or texts? I was starting to think my “best friends” weren’t so great after all. I crossed my arms and shivered. “That’s good,” I muttered.

“Heather.” He sighed. “Look, I’m…honored you wanted me to be your first, but I’m not the right choice for something like that.”

“Why not?” To me, it was a perfect scenario. I knew him, trusted him. He was older, experienced, and caring. He wouldn’t be the type to take my virginity then never speak to me again. I knew, with him, my first time would be amazing, and isn’t that what every girl dreamed of?

Before he could answer, the power went out. “Shit,” he mumbled. A bolt of lightning flashed too closely to the window, illuminating his face just enough for me to see the pain and indecision in his eyes. Hope ignited in my chest. Maybe there was still a chance for us. Granted, there was still the risk of hurting Nathan, but if he never found out…

Thunder rattled the sky, and another strike of lightning sliced through the dark. And then there was a deafening crash seconds before I felt Darian’s arms around me as we hit the floor. I screamed as glass and rain and twigs fell on top of us. Intense, piercing pain shot from my left shoulder down to my arm. I cried out in agony and bucked Darian off me. Rolling onto my back, I clutched my shoulder. And that’s when I saw the massive tree sticking through the window. Exactly where my head had been moments ago.

“Oh, God,” I said, my eyes widening. My heart raced, and my ears rang.

“C’mon, get up.” Darian wrapped his arm around my waist and hauled me to my feet.

My left arm hung limply by my side, and with each step, the pain became worse. I couldn’t even lift my hand to brush the hair from my face. Fear gripped me. Was my arm broken? I took several deep breaths, which only made me dizzy and panicky.

Darian ushered me toward the door and down to the garage. I had no idea where he was taking me, but my steps were heavy. Bile rose in the back of my throat, and I gagged. Tears streaked my face. What was going on?

He stopped in front of a large toolbox. He pushed it aside to reveal a metal door. Pulling it open, he motioned for me to go in. “It’s a storm shelter,” he said, yanking the door closed with a grunt.

I glanced around. There was one twin-sized bed, a couch, a two-person table with mismatched chairs, a mini-fridge, a small counter, and an according-style door that was half open, revealing what appeared to be a bathroom. Overall, it was sparse but had all the necessities. And there were lights. How was that possible when the power was out? I blinked and tried to wrap my mind around what was happening.

“Heather? Are you okay?” Darian was now standing in front of me. He put his hands on my shoulders, and I let out a piercing scream.

I jumped back. “Don’t.” I shook my head and whimpered. “I landed on my shoulder when we fell. I think it might be broken.” My lips trembled, and I couldn’t stop shaking.

“Okay, come here.” He guided me to the bed. “Can you lift your arm?”

I shook my head.

He frowned. “I need to touch it so I can see what’s wrong.”

“No!”

“Heather, honey, I know it hurts, but I can’t make it better if you won’t let me look.”

Biting hard on my bottom lip, I nodded and took a deep breath. I squeezed my eyes shut and fought against the urge to scream as he poked and prodded at my shoulder.

“I don’t think it’s broken,” he said.

I let out a breath.

“But it is dislocated, and I’m going to have to pop it back into place.”

“No… Just call nine-one-one. I can deal with the pain until I get to the hospital. Please, Darian. Just call an ambulance. Please,” I begged.

He cupped the side of my face. “Neither of us have our phones, and even if we did, we probably wouldn’t have any service. And with this storm, it’s not safe to travel.” He wiped my tears with his thumbs. “It’ll hurt for a minute, but I promise it will feel better once I do it.”

“I can’t…” I was the biggest baby when it came to pain. But my entire arm was numb, my fingers were ice cold, and the side of my face was starting to tingle, too, which couldn’t be a good sign.

“Do you trust me?”

I nodded.

“Sit back against the wall.” He helped me move until my back was flat against the wall, and then he kneeled beside me. “Focus on me, okay?”

I nodded again.

“Good.” He took my left hand into his. “I’ll make this as quick as possible.” His eyes were dark and intense.

He moved like he was going to ram my shoulder against the wall. “Stop!” He froze, and my breath stuttered. “I can’t do this. I can’t.” Every nerve ending in my body was on edge, and I felt like I wanted to jump out of my skin.

“Yes, you can.” He slipped his hand around to the back of my neck, lowering his face until our mouths were a breath’s width apart, and my heart raced for an entirely different reason. “Focus on me, Heather.” He brushed his lips over mine, his tongue easing into my mouth, exploring, teasing.

I sighed and closed my eyes, focusing on the feel of his lips instead of the constant, sharp ache in my shoulder. He deepened the kiss, pressing my head against the wall. I knew he was only trying to distract me, but I was going to pretend he was kissing me because he actually wanted to, because he wanted to be with me like I wanted to be with him.

He nipped at my bottom lip before his tongue slipped back into my mouth, gliding over mine. I reached up with my good arm and speared my fingers into his hair, loving how soft and thick his locks were. His soft groan had me whimpering for more. And then… He grabbed my shoulder and popped it back in place. I released his mouth with a scream.