House Of Obsidian: Flawed Love Part 12

"I don't know," I breathe.

She takes my shoulders and spins me around. "Come on, your beau just got here."

My heart starts hammering. "I don't know, it's just a party and . . ."

"Trust me, you'll knock them all dead."

I swallow and take the shoes she thrusts at me. They're strappy and silver, but not too high, thankfully. I quickly put them on, then I take the purse she hands me that matches the outfit.

"Don't wreck my stuff, or I'll kick your a.s.s," she warns as I rush out.

There she is. That's my true sister.

I wave at her and rush down the stairs, trying not to trip as I go. I reach the bottom and stop dead as I see Jack, standing, looking handsome in a pair of denim jeans and a tight black tee. He's smiling big, and when he sees me, something happens in his eyes. Something amazing. They flash with shock, then surprise, then they grow warm. Really warm.

"Emalie," he breathes. "Wow. Just . . . wow."

I smile shyly for the first time in my life, and I honestly don't know what to do. I fidget and he notices, so he comes over with a warm smile and gently puts his hands on my shoulders, leaning forward and brushing his lips against my forehead. "You look amazing."

"Thank you," I whisper.

"Let's get going."

He turns me and I catch my Mom smiling at me with pride. She's never done that before. It feels good. My chest swells and I smile at her, before letting Jack lead me out. He takes me to a small, red convertible and opens the door for me. "My lady." He grins.

"Thank you, kind sir."

I climb in and he goes around, jumping in his side. He pulls out onto the road and I laugh with joy as the wind blows through my hair. Jack laughs and reaches over, taking my hand. My chest swells with happiness and I have decided this just might be the best moment of my life. We ride, talking and laughing the entire way to the party being held at a frat house.

"You ready?" Jack asks, getting out of the car.

"Yes."

I'm nervous, so horribly nervous. What if someone teases me? What if they think I'm a big joke? G.o.d. This is scary and exhilarating all at the same time. Jack opens my door for me and then reaches in, extending his hand. "Are you ready?"

"I really don't know."

He smiles. "Stick with me. I'll take care of you."

G.o.d, I hope so.

"This frat house is huge," I say to Jack, keeping hold of his hand as we walk through.

"Yeah. I can't wait for college for this."

"Me too." I smile, sipping the beer from the plastic red cup he got me.

"Hey," he says, turning and placing his hands on my hips. "Thanks for coming tonight."

"Thanks for inviting me," I say, staring into his eyes.

"I like you, Emalie," he says, his voice husky.

"I like you too."

"I know we've only been on a few dates, but there's something about you . . . I was wondering if . . . I dunno . . . you might consider being my girlfriend?"

Oh. My. G.o.d. Jack wants me to be his girlfriend.

"I might consider it." I grin.

"You know," he says, stepping closer. "I never got that kiss the other night."

"So you didn't," I breathe.

My heart stammers. Mostly because he's going to kiss me, but also because Rainer took the kiss Jack never got to give me. Still, I want to kiss Jack. A lot. His fingers go from my hips to slide up my sides and I shiver. I'm not used to this kind of attention and it freaks me out in a thrilling way.

"Can I give it to you now?" he whispers, reaching up and stroking his finger down my cheek.

"S-s-s-s-sure."

He steps closer until his body is flush against mine and his fingers are splayed out over my hips. I tremble in his arms and I raise my hands to tangle in his shirt. As he tilts his head, I let my eyes flutter closed.

At the first touch of his lips, I'm . . . disappointed. The build-up to this moment has been intense, but there's something missing in his kiss. My heart isn't racing. He doesn't have that intense smell that heightens all my senses like . . .

Oh G.o.d.

Like Rainer.

Jack's tongue slides out and tangles with mine, and I kiss him back. But I know it's not the same. If Rainer had never kissed me, this would probably be an incredible moment, but instead I had expectations, and they're not being met. It's not that Jack can't kiss. He can. His lips are soft. His tongue is gentle. He's doing everything right, but the most important thing is missing.

The spark.

Maybe I just need to give it time. I like Jack. Really, I do. He wants me to be his girlfriend and I want that. The kissing will get more intense the more time I spend with him, I'm sure of it.

"Hey, f.u.c.ker!"

Jack is torn out of my arms before I know what's happening, and I turn quickly to see Rainer driving a fist into his mouth. Whoa. Hang on.

"What the f.u.c.k are you doin' here, kissing some chick when you're supposed to be dating Emalie?"

Oh. My. Lord.

He doesn't know Jack was kissing me.

"Rainer," I say, my voice shaky.

He stops mid-punch and his body freezes. He drops Jack, who is now bleeding from the lip and panting with rage, and turns to me. His entire body freezes as his gaze moves over me. He doesn't have the same gentle look Jack had; instead, he's . . . horrified. He hates it. He's looking at me as if he doesn't know me.

"Emalie?"

I swallow.

"What the f.u.c.k did you do to your face?"

My eyes flash with pain, I know they do, but he doesn't see it. He's too angry.

"I'm on a date," I whisper, trying to suck back my rage.

"A date?" He barks a laugh. "Looking like a cheaper version of your s.l.u.tty sister? What the f.u.c.k has gotten into you?"

I can't take it.

I just . . . can't.

I step forward, raise my hand and slap him. His head swings to the side and he hisses in pain. "f.u.c.k you, Rainer," I spit. "f.u.c.k you and your s.h.i.t. How dare you? How . . ." My voice breaks off and tears burst forth. Rainer's eyes widen. "Tonight," I croak. "Tonight my mom was proud of me, my sister spoke with me, and that man"-I point to Jack-"thought I looked great. Then you, always you, come in here and ruin it all. You and your stupid, blond girlfriend. I'm done."

I turn and run out, hearing him call my name.

I run through the crowd and onto the street, tears flowing down my cheeks. Rainer catches me just as I cross the road to the big, green park over from the frat house. Couple are lazing about, kissing and talking.

"Stop, Emy," he says, spinning me around.

"f.u.c.k off," I scream.

People stop what they're doing and turn to watch us.

"Hey, let her the f.u.c.k go," Jack bellows, running after us.

Rainer turns to him. "Unless you want a broken nose, you will back the f.u.c.k off."

"Let her go, you psycho f.u.c.king d.i.c.k!"

"Back off!" Rainer roars, pulling me closer to him.

Jack looks to me. "Emalie, you don't need to let him handle you like this."

"What we're doin' is none of your business. Now f.u.c.k off."

Jack shakes his head, and then looks to me. I'm stunned, gone far on beyond having anything to say. I want to run to Jack, I want to beat Rainer, but all I can do is stand there, so sick of everything in my life.

"I'll see you later then," Jack spits at me, and turns, storming off.

G.o.d dammit, I've hurt him. I jerk my hand from Rainer's grip and go to chase him, but Rainer curls an arm around my waist and hauls me back. "Don't," he warns, his voice close to my ear. "You need to hear me out."

"No," I say, my voice dead. "I don't. Let me go, Rainer. I'm done with you."

He ignores me and literally lifts me into his arms and carries me into the security and darkness of the trees, where no one can hear us. He puts me down but keeps his hand around my wrist, so I can't pull back.

"We need to talk, Emy, right now."

"No," I say, shoving him back. "I'm done f.u.c.king talking."

"It was Missy, wasn't it? Who hit you?"

"No, Rai," I spit. "It was her butch f.u.c.king friend while she stood back threatening me to stay away from you. Next question."

I shouldn't be blurting this right now, but I'm angry and tired of everything. He growls low under his breath, but keeps going.

"Why did you do this? Why are you letting that a.s.shole change you?"

"Change me?" I laugh bitterly. "Oh, you mean the fact that I took care in my appearance tonight?"

"It's not you."

"No," I snort. "Of course it isn't, Rainer. You want me to stay a boyish-looking woman who f.u.c.ks nerds because that's the best you think I can do."

"Come off it," he growls. "I don't think that at all."

"They made me feel beautiful, tonight," I say and my voice wavers. "They made me feel like I've never felt in my entire life and you . . . you came in and just . . ."

"Just what?"

"Made me feel ugly."

He sucks in a hiss of breath. "You know I don't think that."

"You basically called me a s.l.u.t."

He doesn't answer.

"Does it really bother you so much that I'm changing?"

He still doesn't answer.

"Is it a control issue, Rainer? Do you like having a person you can boss around?"

"f.u.c.k, Emalie, you know that's not the case."

"Then what the f.u.c.k is the problem? You're acting like a psycho father."

He goes silent.

"Jesus, Rainer, if you're going to pull me back, make me feel ugly, then at least f.u.c.king tell me what the h.e.l.l is the problem!"

"I'm losing you," he roars, shocking me.