Page 33 of Rough Start

“It’s completely lame, but if it makes Eli happy, then it’s what I’m going to do,” Kye replied and struggled to find a way to put his helmet on without messing up his hair.

“So she wasn’t mad about the other night?”

“I don’t think mad exactly explains it,” Kye confessed as he straddled his bike that he’d recently cleaned to an immaculate sheen. “She knows there are things I can’t tell her, most of them she doesn’t want to be involved in anyway…”

“It’s unavoidable,” Grier added, and the cautionary tone of his voice wasn’t lost on him. “If you were smart, you’d initiate her as a Wall Mouse and get it over with.”

“So another guy can drool all over her? You’re crazy,” Kye scoffed. “Besides, Eli has a future planned that definitely doesn’t involve the Demons.”

“Then why are you trying so hard with her?” Grier asked with evident confusion. Kye sighed as he started up his bike.

“Because I love her and no matter what, I’m going to find a way to be with her.”

“You’re so whipped,” Grier joked, and Kye only smiled because it was true. Grier watched Kye drive off, the envy he felt for his friend welling up inside him before he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. Turning, he saw Wayne staring him down with six others standing behind him. He swallowed hard. This was going to hurt.

* * *

It was impossible for Eliana not to feel entirely radiant. She’d spent all day getting ready, and with the help of Natalie’s curling iron, she looked damned near flawless from the top of her curly-haired head to the tips of her home-manicured toes.

Usually opting for the natural look, Eliana allowed herself to explore the adventure of cosmetics and highlighted her light brown eyes with black liner and bronze shadow. Her crimson red lips couldn’t stop smiling as she slipped on her slightly heeled blue shoes. They clicked against the hardwood as she hurried downstairs.

“Wow, Liana,” Henry said from the doorway. Her jaw set more firmly. She was still angry with her father, and it showed. “You look beautiful,” he complimented.

“You shaved,” Eliana observed when he stooped to kiss her on the cheek. Henry ran a hand over his now smooth face and shrugged.

“I needed it,” he admitted, and Eliana could only nod. “I saw the moving truck,” he said softly. The small box truck was still sitting in the driveway nearly half full of her things for college.

“The landlord is letting me move my things in early since I paid up for the year. I figured it would be easier to take a couple of trips than to try to ship anything. I still have a few weeks of school, so I’ll be back before Monday,” Eliana explained. Now it was Henry’s turn to nod. They fell into silence for a brief moment before the roar of Kye’s approaching bike disrupted it. “I have to go,” she said hurriedly and made her way out the front door.

“Wow,” Kye breathed and swallowed hard as he watched Eliana race out her front door toward him. Every curve of her delicate body was enhanced by the flowing gown that sparkled in the setting sun. Her long hair was alive with curls that bounced as she walked toward him, and her apple-colored lips looked delicious as they beamed in a smile.

“Not so bad yourself,” she admired as he dismounted and took her into his arms. She kissed him firmly on the mouth and giggled when she left a trace of lipstick on his lips. Using her thumb, she wiped it off, and Kye’s eyes burned into hers. He was about to claim her in another kiss when he saw her dad standing just outside the front door. Kye gently turned her around to face her dad. “What?” she asked with vexation, and Kye’s hand on her bare back made her rethink her tone. “What is it, Dad?”

“I just thought…” He trailed off for a moment, and that was when she saw the old digital camera dangling from his wrist.

“Here,” Kye said, coming to his girlfriend’s father’s aid. “Let’s get one of you and your dad,” he offered and took the camera from Henry. They exchanged momentary glances, and Kye felt a prickling of familiarity that disturbed him.

“Let’s hurry please,” Eliana said, standing next to her dad. Kye snapped a few shots, unable to take his eyes off of her. In turn, Henry took a few pictures of Eliana and Kye, but her annoyance was clear.

“I’ll let you go,” he said quietly, and Eliana kissed him briefly on the cheek. “Have fun,” he encouraged, and she smiled softly.

“Thanks, Daddy.” Henry somberly moved inside with one spiteful glance at the moving truck. “You’re going to make me ride that?” Eliana asked with a laugh as Kye led her to his motorcycle, which she had to admit to herself was gorgeous.

“Mmhmm,” Kye replied, looking down at her with a grin as he draped his coat around her shoulders and began buckling the spare helmet on.

“I’ll probably fall off and die,” she admitted as she slipped her arms through the sleeves. His cologne was still fresh on the lapel, and the aroma made her swoon.

“I don’t know about that,” he began as he slid his arms around her, his fingers pressing into the lowest point of her back. “You might like it,” he said, barely above a whisper before he kissed her again. Eliana practically melted into his firm chest as she pressed into him. The mid-spring air was warm, but they both shivered simultaneously. “We should go,” he said after breaking the kiss. Eliana bit her lip, and Kye groaned dramatically, which in turn made her laugh.

“If you insist,” she teased, and he helped her sit onto the back of the bike. The slit in her dress opened as she did, and Kye couldn’t help but imagine how glorious it would be to slide his hand up her inner thigh… “Is this alright?” she asked innocently, and Kye nodded, not trusting his voice. He quickly put his helmet on and took his position on the front of the bike.

“Hold on to me,” he instructed as he kicked the bike to life. Silently following his instruction, Eliana pressed herself against his back, her hands wrapping around his abdomen. She didn’t see the way his eyes closed in bliss at the feel of her, and he didn’t see the way her knees gripped the seat tighter as the vibration of the bike between her legs made her squirm. What they did feel was the utter contentment of finally be together.

* * *

Kye couldn’t help his smile as he watched Eliana twirling and laughing with her friend on the dance floor. He was seated at one of the tables on the perimeter of the wood floor of the school gymnasium, nursing the obligatory glass of punch while he watched her. They’d had a relatively uneventful meal before the DJ began blasting music, and Eliana had been pulled away by her boisterous friend Natalie.

Watching her dance unashamedly, jumping up and down, and racing to grab the Mardi Gras beads the hosts at the stage occasionally threw brought joy to Kye he couldn’t fully explain. Eliana was blooming. She was no longer the shy girl in the background. There was confidence she now inhibited that made her all the more alluring.