Only For You Page 9

  After a couple of songs, we established a rhythm and got lost in the music. He placed his hands on my hips guiding me closer, rolling his hips to meet mine as I followed. We danced as one, slithering and sliding—it was give and take, push and pull. He positioned his right thigh between my legs and we rocked lower, bending our knees while pressing against one another. He used his left hand to grab mine and raised his arm, gently guiding me with one hand on my hip, causing me to twirl until my back was securely against his front. He lowered his arm, still holding my hand across my body and gripped my hip. I wound my free arm around his back and hooked my finger through his belt loop. Following the waving motion of his core with my own, I drowned in sensations. He rolled his hips and I pressed my rump harder against his groin to maintain contact as we moved.

  Oscar Wilde said, “Dancing is a vertical expression of a horizontal desire.” I know Hunter was not expressing his desire to get me horizontally, but he was certainly ratcheting up mine for him. When his hand drifted from my hip up to my ribcage, I knew it was time to take a break before I embarrassed myself by doing something stupid and uninvited.

  I looked over my shoulder to catch his eye and our gazes locked. We stared at each other as we moved under a spell. Everything else fell away except for the sensation of his body against mine moving sinuously, tempting me. I leaned my head in, closing the gap between our faces. We were inches apart and I was seconds from making a fool of myself—saving me from myself, Hunter tilted his head to the left and suggested we get a drink. I nodded my agreement and followed, allowing him to clear a path as I traveled in his wake.

  I requested water, there was no way I was adding alcohol to the hormones ravaging me. As he turned to order our drinks, Lincoln returned.

  “Hey hot mamma. You looked good out there.”

  “Thanks Linc. Where have you been? How’s your semester going?”

  “Just catching up with friends.” He gestured to the opposite side of the bar where a group of students had gathered. “I have an easy semester, which is a nice way to end my college years.”

  “Aren’t you going to grad school?” I recalled him telling me he planned to get his masters in economics.

  “Yeah, don’t remind me. I choose to pretend I’m done with school after this—at least until after graduation.” Linc laughed.

  “I hear you. I was debating a master’s of business administration, but with my additional responsibilities at Higher Yearning following graduation, I’m not sure if I can manage both. I’m going to take a year to decide.”

  “Good idea. By the way, you still owe me a lunch. Text me when you know which day you’re free this week.”

  As Linc razzed me about our missed lunch date, Hunter turned back from the bar and extended my water, sliding his free arm around my waist—the universal male sign of claiming his property. Linc abruptly said goodnight, placing a friendly kiss on my cheek, which I returned. Hunter pulled me further into his side in response. Linc raised an eyebrow to me but said nothing more.

  “What was that?” I questioned Hunter, confused by his possessiveness.

  “Nothing. I wasn’t sure if his attentions were welcomed, I was acting as a barrier. You need to be careful; this is a breeding ground for predators.”

  “That’s Lincoln, my friend for the last four years, you dolt. He is also usually my dance partner when I’m not on a date. Don’t try and intimidate him,” I scolded.

  “Sorry, I misunderstood. It sounded like he was pressuring you for a date. He mentioned you blew him off and I didn’t know if you had done so purposefully. I was trying to protect you.”

  “Thanks for your concern but I don’t need to be protected from Linc. He’s a good friend, that’s all.”

  “Is he straight?”

  “Yes.”

  “He may respect that you aren’t interested in more than friendship but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be interested in more if you were willing,” he shared sagely.

  “No way, Linc is not interested in me like that.”

  “You’re too smart to believe that. I saw how that boy was looking at you and his reaction when I put my arm around you. He wants you.”

  “You’re way off base.”

  “Everleigh, you’re a stunning, sultry, sensuous woman; there isn’t a man in this room who doesn’t desire you—who wouldn’t bring you home at the slightest indication of your interest.”

  “You mean there isn’t a straight man in this room that doesn’t desire me.”

  “Of course. I thought that was assumed.”

  “I believe you’re overstating my appeal but thank you, nonetheless.” I wanted to change the topic from desire because I was feeling it like a battering ram. It was depressing that the object of my yearning was not attainable.

  “Everleigh, you need to be inordinately careful. Listen to everything Crystal said at the seminar and take it to heart. I’m not an alarmist; this is a uniquely dangerous time to be at Hensley. The police still haven’t apprehended the assailant. It could be anyone—stranger, student, or teacher. It could be someone you have been friends with for years or dated in the past. You can’t assume anyone is safe.”

  “I know, I know. I’m already paranoid without you adding to my worries. You know, I nearly had a heart attack the other night when Linc surprised me as I was leaving work. I practically accused him of intending me harm. I was afraid of Linc, someone I’ve been friends with for almost four years. I’m lucky he was even talking to me tonight after the way I reacted.”

  Hunter’s emotions were shuttered as he asked, “Why was he there, Ev? Were you alone?”

  I sighed, embarrassed once again. “Yes, I was alone. He was coming to make sure I was safe, and I freaked out and screamed like a banshee, a paranoid nutjob.”

  “Does he meet you after work often?”

  “No, it was the first time, I felt someone watching me, and when he came up behind me…”

  “I’m not comfortable with what you’re telling me. His sudden change in behavior, your instinctive fear. Don’t give him your unguarded trust. Don’t allow yourself to be in a position where you’re alone with him.”

  “Hunter, you’re overreacting. Linc is safe, he’s a friend.”

  “No one is safe right now. You can’t trust anyone. And no more leaving work alone at night,” he ordered, clearly accustom to having his dictates followed.

  “How do I know you aren’t the bad guy?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

  “The only person you’re indisputably safe with is me. I promised you, Everleigh. I have and will never lie to you—you can depend on it, if nothing else.” Hunter stared into my eyes, willing me to see his earnestness, then he smiled.

  “And you can definitely include Sam on the safe list. She does not have the body mass to overpower most fifth graders.”

  “Thank you Hunter. I will be cautious, I promise,” I vowed to him. “I should find Sam and save her from getting arrested for public indecency.”

  He chuckled, knowing I was right.

  When we were all ready to leave, Sam and I had a silent conversation that confirmed Hunter and I had made amends. She mutely asked if Robbie could sleep over, to which I consented. Robbie seemed trustworthy, but after my conversation with Hunter, I decided to forgo my usual headphones to tune out the headboard thumping. I wanted to ensure I could hear if Sam cried for help. I also decided to lock my bedroom door and keep my cell near the bed.

  Hunter walked with us to Robbie’s car and gave me a bear hug, lifting my feet off the ground before carefully setting me back down. Before he released me, he whispered in my ear, “Remember your promise to be cautious.”

  After offering his goodbye, he turned to leave. After several steps, he returned and caught my arm as I was climbing in the backseat.

  “Where’s your phone?”

  I pulled it out of my clutch and handed it to him.

  “I want to give you my phone number in case you’re ever in trouble or if y
ou just need a friend.”

  “You two seem to have made up nicely,” Sam said from the front, after I climbed into the backseat. I could hear the smirk in her voice.

  “Yeah, he apologized and explained. I forgave him with a stern warning not to let it happen again.”

  “Yes, I noticed how stern you were on the dance floor. I needed a drink to cool off after watching you two.”

  “Oh, you’re one to talk. You and Robbie were in jeopardy of arrest for public indecency on the floor.”

  “Robbie and I were hot, I’ll give you that, but you and Hunter set the building on fire. Anyone standing in a five foot radius had spontaneous orgasms by proxy.”

  Robbie made a choking sound; I guess he had not heard Sam unfiltered before now.

  “Don’t be ridiculous, we were just dancing. There were other people being far more explicit than us.”

  It was true. Many couples flaunted their sexuality on the dance floor. Women bending over while men stood behind them, pumping their hips forward and back. I’m still unconvinced actual copulation wasn’t occurring in some cases.

  “Yes, others may have been more explicit, but your chemistry was scorching.”

  “We may have friendly chemistry but not sexual chemistry. Hunter doesn’t…” I trailed off not feeling comfortable outing Hunter to Robbie.

  Sam understood and dropped it. She had seen me through every crush, boyfriend, and lover I ever had. She probably recognized how close I had come to proving myself an unadulterated imbecile by kissing Hunter.

  “Sorry Ev, Sam is right,” Robbie joined in.

  “You have to say that. It’s your obligation to agree with Sam during the preliminary courtship phase.”

  “True as that may be, she is right. I would still agree even if I wasn’t her boyfriend.”

  “You’re my boyfriend?” Sam asked, sounding surprised and pleased.

  “Of course I am,” Robbie confirmed, before doubting himself. “Aren’t I?”

  “Of course you are,” Sam made it official.

  I remained quiet, letting them have their moment. They gazed into each other’s eyes at the stop light. It was sweet, but it was making me mildly queasy and envious. I missed that part of early relationships. I hadn’t had a serious relationship since Drew, sophomore year. There was no dramatic scene, it just fizzled out as our lives and schedules lead us in different directions. He was nice and I cared about him, but it never went deeper. We ended as casual friends with no awkward residual effects from our parting. Each semester we would find time to share a cup of coffee and catch up. Drew was a good guy, just not the guy for me.

  I was ready to meet someone new, someone to share my life with, warts and all. I just hadn’t met the right man. I needed someone intelligent, motivated, funny, caring, strong, tolerant—because let’s face it, I was no picnic. Someone who could stand up to me when I was wrong, would admit when he was, and would stand beside me when needed. Of course, I had to be attracted to him and it would not hurt if he could ‘wow’ me with his mattress prowess. I realized it was a tall order—I didn’t want to settle and regret time spent with the wrong man—instead I was waiting patiently. In the meantime I casually dated several nice guys, occasionally enjoying one all night. If I could find a guy like Hunter—a hetero-Hunter—with his characteristics and our chemistry, who could love my brand of crazy, and looked like him—that would be a winning combination.

  Chapter Eight

  * * *

  "The one who can’t restrain their anger will wish undone, what their temper and irritation prompted them to do.” -Horace

  My truce with Hunter held strong after our reunion at The Stop. We resumed our repartee and friendship, which was a welcomed return. I was careful to respect Hunter’s need for professionalism during the sessions and he refrained from treating me like a leper. My days were far more interesting with Hunter in my life. He had become a part of my daily routine, an expected component to my happiness. I could hardly remember what it was like before he shoved his way in.

  Valentine’s Day arrived the next week and Sam was excited. It was the first time she had a serious boyfriend during the holiday since freshman year. Robbie went overboard with flowers, chocolates, stuffed animals, and a lavish dinner followed by an evening at the best hotel in the area. He gave her a beautiful pair of diamond and ruby earrings, which Sam adored. My day was not a romantic celebration, but at least I wasn’t alone. I worked the night shift, allowing those with significant others to enjoy a night of romance. Hunter showed up at closing with a single yellow rose and a bottle of wine. We locked the doors and he helped me finish cleaning up. Hunter and I sat for hours sipping wine and chatting about nothing and everything. He walked me to my car at the end of the night and gave me a warm hug. Having a friend to spend the night with took the sting out of my single status during the most romantic day of the year.

  Hunter became a regular part of our crew. Over the next two weeks we fell into a routine. Mondays and Wednesdays we would all meet for lunch on-campus. Thursday nights we would usually grab dinner before enjoying performers at The Stop. Fridays were christened Sam and Robbie’s date night. I would meet up with other friends to enjoy a movie or drinks. Saturdays, Hunter would come to Higher Yearning at closing and we would hangout. Sundays, were reserved for homework and girlie time—chick-flicks, painting nails, junk food binges, or shopping.

  Sam and Robbie’s relationship was progressing well. I got to know Robbie during our dinners and lunches, he was a good guy who treated Sam well and appreciated the person she was. Sam was comfortable being herself around Robbie and enjoyed his company. During one of our Sunday chats, Sam confided that she was falling for him. She was not ready to say the words, but I felt it was imminent. I could see a future for the two of them, maybe even marriage. Sam’s family was sure to approve given the stature of Robbie’s familial connections, which was not a requirement for Sam but it would make her life easier.

  Life was good, except the attacks on Hensley’s female population continued on a weekly basis. A distinct pattern was emerging; assaults usually occurred over the weekend and news coverage would begin Monday morning. The atmosphere on campus was deteriorating as the number of victims increased. Details leaked through the campus grapevine were tremendously disturbing. The modus operandi was consistent with the attack on the Beta Gamma Gamma sister, but with every incident the severity of the assaults escalated, if rumors were to be believed. Hensley administrators issued warnings for all female students to practice circumspection and requested vigilance from all students, encouraging us to report suspicious circumstances to campus security. Reporters indicated the police were struggling to identify the assailant due to a lack of DNA evidence and conflicting physical evidence at the crime scenes. The community was crying for further intervention from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, but FBI assistance was reportedly restricted to consultations with their behavioral science unit.

  Robbie and Sam went skiing in Vermont at his family’s chalet during Spring break, while I worked extra shifts and enjoyed my class-free week; Hunter kept me company when available, and the week sped by. When Sam returned she told me Robbie had dropped the “L-bomb” and she had returned it. They stopped for lunch with his family on the way home and then shared dinner with Sam’s family that same evening. The family meet-and-greets went well, which was another obstacle overcome. She confessed to envisioning herself marrying him one day.

  We broke tradition the first Saturday of March when Kappa Sigma Tau hosted its annual house party, a requirement for all brothers to attend. It wasn’t clear what distinguished this fraternity party from the many others they held, but Robbie insisted there was no way for him to skip it. He invited Sam and me, but his lack of enthusiasm was obvious. Robbie did his best to avoid his frat brothers, but when forced to interact with them in our presence, he tried to shield Sam and I from their attention. I assumed he still feared Sam would lose interest if she saw him in that environment.
Determined to reassure him, Sam decided to attend and I agreed to join when Hunter committed to tag along. Robbie was blatantly relieved Hunter would be present to shelter Sam and me from unwanted drunken advances—Kappa brothers were notorious playboys.

  As we entered the house it was clear Sam and I would be winning an award for the most modest attire. I felt Amish compared to the girls walking around, most of whom had just seen their eighteenth birthday. Hunter grunted his disgust as Robbie led us through the house. Once we had settled into a remote corner, Robbie excused himself to make his attendance known. Hunter opened two beers and distributed them to us.

  “Don’t drink anything other than the beers I brought and only if one of us opens it. If you put it down, don’t drink it. You have three each, so make them last for however long we are trapped in this God forsaken shithole,” Hunter ordered with non-negotiable authority.

  “You don’t want any?” I asked, understanding his concerns regarding our safety. It explained why he brought a blueberry microbrew that would likely never be found at a frat party—it would be easy for us to identify and protect. It was not lost on me that he brought a limited quantity to ensure our sobriety. He needn’t worry, there was no way I would risk intoxication in this environment.

  “No, I’m not drinking tonight. Besides, that beer is too fruity for me, but I thought you would enjoy it. I know you don’t like real beer. I would have brought a pot of coffee if I’d had an easy way to ensure it couldn’t be tampered with.”

  “Are you our guard dog for the evening, Mr. Charles?” I asked with mock innocence.

  “Yes, tonight I’m your pit bull.”

  “Sam, should I scratch him behind the ears?”

  “I don’t know, Ev, he might try to hump your leg.”

  We both laughed while Hunter shook his head at our antics. I wouldn’t object if Hunter humped me, but it seemed best to keep that inclination to myself.