Summer Time Sweets by Alexa Riley

Chapter 2

Honor

Imake my way to my bedroom and go into the closet. It’s far too big for me, but many others wouldn’t agree. I stopped fighting the stylist long ago. Normally I wear what I’m told to. It’s chosen from a list of approved clothes and laid out for me like I’m a child. I could wear something new every day for a year and still not wear everything in here. And it’s sad because none of it is my style. It’s all so clean cut and professional, but I was raised on a ranch in Tennessee. I’m more comfortable in cut-off shorts and dirty boots, but that’s not in the dress code. Right now I’m worked up, so I’m going to wear whatever I want. Or at least something that resembles what I’d like to wear. It takes me a while, but I finally find a pair of jeans and a strappy top that is supposed to be worn under something. Not today. It’s hot out and I’m going to dress accordingly, even if I don’t go outside.

I go to my desk and dig around for a pair of scissors. I smile as I grab them and go to work on my jeans.

When I’m finished, I put the clothes on and look in the mirror. I feel more like myself right now than I have in a long time. My pink bra straps are visible under the top, but it’s cute. I turn and see that I’ve cut the jeans too short, but I don’t care. Washington will probably report this back to my dad, but he doesn’t seem like the type to take care of it himself rather than tattle on me. What could he even do? They’re shorts and my vagina is covered. Pretty much.

I slip on some flip-flops and grab my sunglasses and push them up into my hair. I grab my phone and see it’s time to meet with Chad Diamond. This was one of the reasons I’d gone to see my dad this morning. I wanted to see if I could get out of this meeting. He’s supposed to help me pick the college I’m going to attend. I wanted him to be here to help me weigh all my options and see which would fit me best.

I had thought none would suit me, but now I’m beginning to rethink things. Either I need to get away from Washington and his cold shoulder, or I need to find out if he’s so pissed off because he wants me, too. I feel the attraction between us and I watch the struggle in his eyes. I’ve watched him every day for three years, and I see that something in him has changed. Maybe he’s like me and just needs a little push.

Either way, my meeting with Chad is going to help with that. He’s going into his senior year at Brown University. He’s cute and has asked me on a date before, but I turned him down because my heart wanted Washington. Also, I think some guys show interest in me because of who my dad is. Maybe I’ll invite Chad to my birthday party. I still need to reschedule it. If I could cancel it, I would. I’d rather do something small, but Dad seems to think this is worthy of a big celebration.

I grab my messenger bag and head for the door. When I swing it open, I see Washington standing there.

“Freedom is on the move,” I chirp before he can say it into his radio.

His eyes roam down my bare legs, but I don’t stay to look at his reaction. I just keep on walking like I dress this way all the time and don’t have a care in the world. I feel him following me closely and I can’t stop myself from peeking over my shoulder. His jaw is rock solid and his lips are pressed together in a tight line.

“I don't think your outfit is appropriate,” he says as he grabs me by the arm and spins me around to face him. It doesn't hurt, but I can feel his barely controlled strength as he once again pulls me close to him. “I think you should change.”

“No,” I say, pulling my arm out of his grip, and try to keep walking. He steps into my path, and suddenly a wall of muscle is blocking the way. “You can’t tell me what to wear.” I look up at him and watch his nostrils flare.

“Didn’t you just say you aren't rebellious?”

“If you’re going to say that I am, then I might as well live up to it.” I say it in the sweetest voice I can muster.

“This isn’t like you,” he says, but his voice is softer this time.

“How do you know? Maybe this is my new and improved self as I get ready to go to college.”

He looks away and thinks for a second before he turns his dark green eyes back on me. “All right. How about we make a deal?”

“What kind of deal?” I ask as my eyes move down to his mouth. His lips look so soft.

“If you change, I’ll do something you want.”

“Like what?” I hedge. I want to know what he has that I want. Then the idea sparks and I decide to throw caution to the wind. Why not go after what I want? “How about a kiss?”

“Fucking hell,” he mutters before he clenches his teeth and closes his eyes.

If anyone walked in on us right now they’d see how tight he’s holding me, how close our bodies are pressed together. No one ever talks to me like he does, but I like that he’s not so careful. Everyone is so polite and well-mannered in front of me. I’d take Washington cursing up a storm over programmed robots any day of the week.

When he opens his eyes again, his lids are heavy and his lips part just a little. “You’re seventeen, Honor. You can’t say shit like that to me.”

“I’m eighteen tomorrow,” I remind him.

“Trust me, I know that.” He releases me and takes a step back then runs his hand through his short dark hair. “Besides, this place has too many eyes.” He looks to his left and right as if making sure we’re still alone.

“Not in my wing.” I point towards the doors that lead back into my private space.

I don’t miss the fact that he never said no. Maybe he’s considering it? Anything that has his body on mine is going to make my panties explode. I decide to tease him just a bit more and see how far he’s willing to be pushed.

“You’d be my first.” I play with the too-short hem of my shorts, and I’m not disappointed when his eyes go there. Is he thinking about all the ways he’d be my first?

“Honor,” he says in warning then lets out a string of curses. I swear he’s trying to talk himself out of it. “Go change and I’ll tell you what happened to me.” He points to his stomach where the bleeding happened earlier.

“Deal,” I agree, knowing that it’s better than nothing.

I wanted a kiss, but being able to learn something about him, anything really, is better than nothing. I’ve been around him a long time, but he’s still such a mystery to me. Does it make me a little pathetic that I’m willing to trade my protest against my normal clothes for scraps of information from him? I decide not to dwell on it right now. I’ll think about it later. Instead I focus on the fact that I’ll get to spend extra time with Washington.

When I enter, he follows me but stays in the living room while I go to my bedroom and shut the door. I pull off the shorts and flip-flops and replace them with a pair of black wide-leg pants and grab a cardigan to throw over my top. I slip into some black flats then walk into the main room. When I get there Washington is looking down at his phone. His head comes up as he slides his phone back into his pocket.

“Do you have a girlfriend?” I blurt out the question without thinking. I’ve never had the courage to ask him before, but I can’t stop myself from doing it now.

“That’s not the question I agreed to answer.” His voice is stern, but his eyes are soft.

“Fine.” I decide not to push my luck. Instead I turn around in a slow circle. “I changed. Does this meet your approval?” It’s on the tip of my tongue to call him Daddy, but I hold it back.

“I never said I didn't approve of the last one. I just don’t think others should see you in it.”

“Others besides you?”

“There you go, asking another question I didn't agree to answer.” I swear his lips are fighting a smile. His dark green eyes seem playful.

“Okay, then tell me what happened.”

“I was shot,” he says simply with a shrug of his shoulder. He says it so casually he could be talking about a paper cut. I’m shocked and unsure of what to say. “It’s fine.” He comes closer to me, and I must have a worried look on my face because he places his hands on my upper arms and leans down a little to look into my eyes. “Hey, I said it’s okay. It was a through and through. It just needs some time to heal.”

He reaches up and tucks my hair behind my ear, and the gesture is so familiar. As if we are more than what we really are—two people who barely know each other. For all the time we’ve been near one another we haven’t shared much. But it doesn’t stop me from loving his touch. Loving him. I can’t explain it. I don’t care that some would say it’s just a crush because we don’t know each other. But I do know how he makes me feel. And that isn’t something that’s ever changed. Not in three long years.

“Are you sent on top secret missions?” I don't know a ton that goes on. My dad tries to shield a lot from me, but it’s impossible to block everything from my eyes.

“Not anymore.” His hand drops away from me and he takes a step back as if realizing what he’s doing.

“So, what is it you do now?”

“I was asked to watch over you until your dad gets back.” He puts his hands in his pockets and I wonder if it’s to keep from touching me? I can see the look in his eyes and it’s not as straight-laced as he would want everyone to believe.

“I'm sorry,” I tell him as I lean against the seat closest to me and watch his eyes follow the curve of my hip.

“I’m not.” His voice is lower than before, and he clears his throat.

“I meant that you had to give up the missions. Not that you had to watch me.” I bite my lip to keep from smiling and watch as the corner of his mouth turns up.

“I see. Well, it wasn’t what I wanted to do anymore.” As if he can’t help himself, he takes a step closer. His hands are still firmly buried in his pockets, but the muscles of his arms are strained.

“So what is it you want to do?” My eyes trail down his tight black shirt to his trim waist. I begin to fantasize about what’s under there and if he’s got that sexy V on his hips that leads down to his cock. “You aren’t leaving, are you?” The thought springs into my head and I have to look up and meet his eyes. My heart begins to pound as the worry spreads.

“Why? Would you miss me?” His words are teasing, and I’m surprised how much I like the sound of it. His cocky smile makes my fingers twitch. I’d love to run my thumb over his bottom lip.

“Maybe a little,” I admit, trying to play it cool. “But you wouldn’t, would you?”

“I have no idea, sweet pea. But if it’s up to your dad, then yeah, I’m staying.”

Why do I love that he called me that? He’s not looking at me as if I’m some kid he’s having to babysit. I catch the way he’s licking his lips and the way his eyes linger on the hint of cleavage that I keep leaning forward to show him.

“What if it’s up to me?” Emboldened, I step forward, and this time I’m the one to reach out and place my hand on his chest.

His eyes darken as he looks down to where I’m touching him. He doesn’t pull away or tell me to stop. Instead, his eyes lock with mine and he cocks his head to the side.

“Can you be a good girl?”

Goosebumps break across my skin at his question. Can I be? I don’t want to. Not with him. I want to do bad things that might get us into trouble. And then I want to do them again even if we’re caught. With Washington, I want it all.

I look up at him through my lashes and shake my head slightly. Then with all the strength I have inside me, I step around him and go to the door. I’m late for my meeting with Chad. When I open it, Washington’s hand comes from behind me and he pushes the door closed. His broad chest presses into my back as his mouth comes to my ear.

“There’s no other woman in my life. There’s no one else but you.” His breath is against my bare shoulder, and I close my eyes.

What would it take to make him lose control? What would it take for me to push him there? Before I can find out, his arm snakes around my waist and he pulls me even closer to him. I feel a hard length against my ass and it surprises me. I audibly gasp at the size of it, but I don’t make a move to pull away. Instead I press my ass against it more firmly as his lips move down my neck.

“You’re seventeen for ten more hours,” he whispers as his hand moves slowly down my body. “Be careful with how you tease me until then.”

He cups my sex over my pants, and I feel the heat of his palm even through the material. My mouth falls open, but no sound comes out. Instead I feel the pressure of his possessive and intimate hold and there’s no room for discussion. It belongs to him.

“Ten more hours,” he says, before he releases me and opens the door.

I walk on shaky legs to my meeting with Chad. Washington is close behind me the whole way as the throb in my panties makes it nearly impossible to think.