Bound Together Read online

  I stood up and hugged her tightly. “Hey, careful. It took me forever to get your hair and makeup perfect. Don’t go ruining it now.”

  Patting me on the back with both hands, she gave me a gentle shove. Taking my hand, she twirled me around to admire her work. She had been rummaging through her wardrobe for some time before she finally decided on my current outfit.

  I was wearing a little black dress. It was strapless and had a sweetheart neckline. With a matching black clutch purse and some silver and diamond earrings, I looked like a model you’d see in a magazine. I’d never dressed that way for anyone or anything for that matter. Even at my prom I wore a simple long line dress that hid my curves well. Mel had called it frumpy but I didn’t care. I wasn’t willing to advertise my body to anyone. But this felt different. A knock at the door drew her attention and she shouted over her shoulder at it.

  “Come on in its open.”

  It swung open and Oliver stood in the doorway. Resting his arm on the frame he leaned into it. His eyes met mine and then made their way down my body slowly before returning to hold my gaze. “Wow.” It was barely a murmur but I’d heard him loud and clear. I was hot. Swallowing hard, Oliver gave me a seductive smile.

  “You didn’t have to get all dressed up for me but boy do I appreciate it.” My cheeks flushed as I could feel him mentally undressing me with his eyes.

  Amy gave me a nudge and glared at him. “Well, she didn’t do it for you. She’s got a date. I told you at the party Ollie, you snooze you lose emo boy. Coffee shop guy snapped her up. He’s taking her to dinner.”

  I rolled my eyes and avoided looking at him. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole. I know Oliver and I had never really got things going but I couldn’t help but remember Friday night at the bar. I had flirted with him and only moments ago I’d made plans to go to the movies with him. But that was just to hang out right? It wasn’t a date. Tonight with Jared was most certainly an official date, he’d made his intentions clear simply with the tone of his text. I prayed Ollie didn’t think less of me and that he also didn’t begin to think that I had been leading him on. It was disturbing to say the least. I was a great many things, but a tease I was not.

  When I finally plucked up the courage to face him again, I could see that he wasn’t pleased by the news. His mouth was set into a hard line and he was standing rigidly with his hands in his pockets. He shrugged and lowered his head studying the floor before raising his hand to rub the back of his head.

  “Well I just came to see if you guys wanted to order a pizza and hang out but since Layla has plans already, we can do it some other time maybe. And Amy while we’re on the subject, since when is my romantic life any of your damn business?”

  Amy stood straighter, obviously shocked by his demeanor and fisted her hands on her hips. She opened her mouth about to respond when he turned on his heel, held his hand in the air to signal a wave, walked back over to his room and slammed his door shut.

  Shit. I had definitely upset him.

  Amy turned her stare at me with her mouth still gaping open, closing it she pointed at the door “What the fuck was his problem?!”

  I rolled my eyes and cocked my head to the side. She couldn’t be that dim surely. “Oh come on Amy. Have a little respect for his privacy, whatever you two discussed about me at that party was probably not meant for me to hear. Plus, I don’t think he was that thrilled about me having a date. I did flirt with him all evening at the bar. He must think I’m a total tease or worse.”

  Amy was shaking her head at me and now she was the one rolling her eyes. “Layla he had his chance to make a move and he didn’t. He can’t be sore now just because he missed his opening.”

  I felt terrible. I couldn’t enjoy my date feeling the way I did.

  Grabbing my purse off of the bed and breezing past a stunned Amy, I walked out into the hallway, closing the door behind me. I could hear loud guitar music coming from his room. Swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat, I held my head up and knocked hard on his door. The music stopped and Nick answered. Holding the door open just enough for him to be seen he grinned widely at me.

  “Well, what are we all dressed up for?”

  A voice from behind him snapped a reply. “She’s got a date.” Oliver was still pissed at me that was for sure. Standing on my tiptoes, I yelled over Nick’s head, “Come on Ollie. Come talk to me. I won’t be able to enjoy myself at all tonight knowing you’re upset with me. Please.”

  “You’re not exactly giving me any good reason to change my mind now that I know that.” I heard him let out a long sigh and hoped he would reconsider so we could thrash this out and move on. Nick glanced back over his shoulder, obviously waiting for Oliver to give him the ok before moving aside to let me in.

  Oliver was sitting on his bed gripping a white electric guitar which was attached to a large amp. My eyes scanned the room and I realized I’d never been in there before that moment. Every available space was covered in posters of different rock groups. The Ramones, Greenday, All Time Low, Muse and Nirvana were just a few that I recognized. Nick’s side was littered with junk food wrappers and he had a drum kit set up in the corner. The room was enormous and I couldn’t quite believe that no one had complained about the noise. Nick left the room giving Oliver a quick nod as he shut the door.

  Looking up from his guitar Oliver glanced at me with a pained expression. I walked over to his bed and sat next to him. “Oliver please don’t hate me. You and Amy are the only friends I have here. I mean that’s what we are right? Friends? Can’t you be happy for me? I mean who else is going to pick me up when I’m spread eagle on a hallway floor?”

  He put his guitar down and gave me a sideways look, his long black hair hung in front of his face restricting my view of his delicious brown eyes. Tilting my head so that our eyes met, I gave him a hopeful smile. I nudged him and he draped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side. I leaned my head on his shoulder and heard him let out a long sigh. “Ok Layla. I’m happy for you if that’s what you wanna hear. So go enjoy your date. But if he tries anything or gets too heavy handed, you call me and I’ll come get you. I mean it.”

  I nodded and gave him a tight hug, wrapping my arms around his back as I rested my head on his shoulder again. “I promise I will call you Ollie.”

  He stood up and outstretched his hand. Placing my hand into his, he pulled me to my feet. As he opened the door for me to leave I gave him one last tight squeeze before planting a quick peck on his cheek. I just saw him blushing as he raised his hand, in typical Ollie fashion and closed the door. Relieved that we had now defined our relationship as friends, I could now focus on the knot of nerves beginning to form in my stomach. I cast an eye at my watch. It was almost seven. I checked myself over and straightened my dress before making my way down the hall to the exit. Taking my cell out of my purse I checked if I had any messages. There was only one.

  I’m parked right outside. Waiting with bated breath for your arrival. J

  Received: 19.00

  From: The Asshole

  * * *

  The butterflies in my stomach were in a frenzied swarm as I walked through the heavy exit doors. Jared was leaning against a beautiful, sleek black car. I didn’t have to look twice to know it was a Jaguar XK. Dad had always talked about owning one. It was his dream car. The walls of his study were papered with pictures of the car and a miniature model in silver sat on his desk. It was not a cheap machine. Jared clearly wasn’t scraping by.

  Seeing me at the top of the steps Jared started grinning as his eyes made their way down my body, slowly; as if he were willing my clothes to disappear, leaving my bare flesh for his viewing pleasure. With his eyes fixed on me, I felt naked. He was wearing dark blue denim jeans that had a slight tear design on the right knee. A blue tee was visible underneath his crisp white shirt which was unbuttoned at the top and the sleeves rolled up to rest just above his elbows. I could see the impressive size of his arms, wh
ich were practically bursting to be released from the binds of his sleeves.

  He strode over to the bottom of the steps and held out his hand. “Your carriage awaits my lady.”

  I smiled and bit my lower lip. It was something I always did when I was anxious or excited. Taking his hand but being conscious of the five inch heels on my feet, I carefully walked down the three small steps and onto the side walk. Leaning in, he opened my door and his body was so close I could smell his cologne. I inhaled the scent deeply as he pulled away. It was masculine and it suited him perfectly. Eau de Jared was a heady scent.

  I was still swooning over his delicious fragrance when he helped me into my seat. I watched his every move as he ran around to the driver’s side and jumped in. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He smiled over at me, turning on the ignition and as the engine roared to life, his smile grew wider.

  “Ready?”

  I nodded and smiled to myself. For whatever you can dish out Jared. Bring it on.

  As we drove along in silence I began to wonder how we’d gotten to this moment. It was then that I remembered an important question that needed answering. Looking straight ahead I took a deep breath and asked, “Jared. How did you get my number?”

  The corners of his mouth turned up and he gave me a quick glance before turning his eyes to the road as we sped along. “Does it matter? Or better yet. Do you actually mind that I have it?”

  Cocky Jared had made an appearance once again and surprisingly, I was pleased to see him.

  I turned in my seat so that my knees were facing him. Staring at him, I waited for an answer to my question. I wasn’t responding to his until he had explained himself. His answer would certainly influence my own.

  “I got it from Lorraine. I told her I needed to reach you and discuss financial matters with you in reference to that coffee incident the other day.”

  My mouth dropped open. I was angry at him again. Turning back to face the windshield I crossed my arms over my chest and stared out of the window. How could he invade my privacy like that? And why had Lorraine so willingly given him my details? He could have been a stalker for all she knew.

  I was suddenly aware that we were pulling over. Turning off the ignition, Jared opened his door and walked around to my side. What was he doing? I watched him curiously as he tapped on my window indicating that I should open the door. I motioned for him to stand back and did as he’d asked. Was he going to throw me out?

  I was just about to unbuckle my seatbelt when he crouched down next to me. He held onto the door with one hand and took hold of mine with the other. I couldn’t look at him. I knew if I did I would melt and my resolve would weaken. He’d done something that I was not ready to forgive so easily and he had to know it.

  “Layla. I’m truly sorry for invading your privacy like that. At the time, I wasn’t thinking clearly. I knew...” He broke off and stared at the ground below his feet. I found myself gazing at him, wondering what he was going to say. I didn’t have to wait long. Exhaling loudly he looked up and met my gaze. Taking a deep breath he continued. “I knew that after the way I’d behaved in the shop there was no way you would give me your number if I’d asked for it. But I really wanted to talk to you. I wanted to apologize and ask you out right there and then, but you made arguing with you so much fun I just couldn’t help myself. Especially when it made you blush the way you are now.”

  He was giving me that same sexy, smoldering smile I’d seen in the coffee shop. I hadn’t even felt my cheeks get warm but I was certain they were beet red by now. The touch of his hand had sent a jolt of electricity like a bolt of lightning through my chest and my heart had responded immediately. It was drumming below my now rapidly heaving chest. His eyes were burning through me almost begging for me to respond and pleading with me to forgive him. His lips were slightly parted and I had to fight my uncontrollable urge to kiss him, even though I was sure he wanted me to. His lips were simply tempting me to take them with my own. And I wanted nothing more than to oblige him, but I was determined to play it cool.

  As though he read my mind, he ran his tongue over his bottom lip and nipped it gently with his teeth. That did it. I couldn’t fight it anymore. I hurriedly unbuckled my seatbelt and cupped his face with my hands, pulling him to me. A spark of lustful excitement ignited inside my body as I pressed my lips to his. He responded with the same urgency, running his hand up my arm and around to the back of my neck as he pulled me to him with a passionate force. My hands skimmed across his face and ran freely through his golden hair. His tongue traced my bottom lip and my mouth opened, granting him access. He kissed me deeply with a hunger I’d never experienced before.

  I pulled away from him, trying to catch my breath. Our eyes met and a smile spread across his face. Running his thumb over my lips, he grinned.

  “Does that mean you forgive me?”

  I bit my lip hard. I could still taste him on my flesh. I nodded and released my lip into a smile of my own. “I think we can work something out.”

  His grin widened and almost reached his eyes. Standing up, he kissed my hand before closing the door. How the hell were we going to make it through dinner?

  We drove for what felt like forever and I wondered where we were going. Apart from the coffee shop and the college campus, I wasn't familiar with the social scene of Long Beach. I glanced over at Jared. He was concentrating intently on the road and I couldn't help but smile when I noticed him singing along to a song on the radio. He was so quiet, it was almost a whisper and he was fumbling over some of the lyrics. I couldn't help letting out a small snigger and I hastily covered my mouth. He shot me a quizzical look and raised one eyebrow.

  "Something amuses you my lady?"

  Letting my hand fall back to my lap, I shook my head and cleared my throat. "No, sir, not at all. I was just thinking that if one is going to sing, one should do so audibly and with correct lyrics."

  Now he was laughing. His eyes glimmered with mischief as he gave a nod of acknowledgement before turning the volume up.

  Beyoncé’s ‘All The Single Ladies’ echoed through the speakers. Jared began bobbing his head to the music and as the lyrics to the chorus began, he burst into song. He held up his left hand and began doing the dance, showing me his palm, then the back of his hand and repeating the movement quickly about ten times. I burst into laughter. Clutching my stomach I continued to watch him as he belted out each word. His head was bobbing left to right along with the music and his hand was now his microphone. His facial expression was that of a diva performing on stage to millions of fans. My ribs were aching and my eyes were beginning to fill with tears.

  Once the song was finished he cleared his throat, turned down the radio and glanced at me with a playful smile. He was a blurry outline as I tried to focus through the tears trickling down my face. I tried to stop the rolling laughter that was heaving inside me, but every time I looked at him I fell into hysterics again. This time he laughed with me. I took a few deep breaths and massaged my ribs.

  “Was that what you had in mind? I thought I performed rather well myself. However the audience appears to be of a different persuasion.

  ” I reached over and patted his knee. “Oh, I think you did wonderfully sir. You were extremely entertaining. Bravo. Encore.”

  He moved his hand towards the volume control slowly as if he were daring me to stop him. My stomach couldn’t take it if I were to laugh any more. Moving quickly I grabbed his hand and shook my head. “I was kidding!”

  He brought my hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss on my knuckles before returning it to my lap. I reveled in the tender moment we had just shared. He really wasn’t the man I had thought he was.

  The Jared sitting next to me right now was sweet, funny, charismatic and playful; a far cry from the sarcastic, arrogant and rude Jared I had met at the coffee shop. But somehow I found them both equally exciting.

  A ringing echoed through the car speakers and pressing his fingertip to the panel on the das
h, Jared answered, “Harrison. I’m not alone.”

  A deep voice boomed through the sound system and I sat quietly as they conducted their conversation.

  “Understood. I’m sorry to disturb you Jared but unfortunately that thing we were concerned about needs dealing with right away. Unexpected turn of events I’m afraid. I’ve set wheels in motion but I fear this may spiral faster than we’d hoped.” Jared’s mouth pressed into a hard line and he slammed his palms on the steering wheel in frustration. “Damn it! Keep me posted.”

  After he hung up, we continued the rest of the drive in silence. I didn’t want to pry into his business as I felt it was none of mine. I was still in the dark as to where exactly we were going when we turned onto a road named “Victoria Street” It appeared too long to be a simple street but I figured that maybe it had been smaller at the time it was named. Well, that really wasn’t important; the thing I was finding the most interesting was the scale of the houses. They were enormous. All lined up in a row, each house was protected by tall iron gates. Some had gravel driveways and others were paved. The houses themselves had a modern appearance and were surrounded by lawns that you’d expect to see at a garden show.