Page 1 of Between Never and Forever

PART ONE

ChapterOne

KEELANI

“I’m not screwingyou against a tree in the woods, Kee.” Dex Hardy’s voice was restrained as he pulled back to glare at me. His piercing green gaze didn’t waver even when I frowned at him.

“Live a little, Dex.” I ran a hand through my tousled waves and pouted in the moonlight. The cool breeze whipped between us, and he tightened his jacket over my long-sleeved dress.

“Live a little? You dragged me to this underage party in a dress that’s two sizes too small for you—”

I looked down at the stretchy violet fabric that hugged every one of my curves. “You don’t like it?”

“You know I like it. Too much. It’s the only reason I’m here tonight.” He grunted. “I don’t need twenty guys also liking it and taking advantage of you when I’m not around.”

I leaned against the trunk of the tree to stare up at him. “Then take advantage of me instead.”

“Kee, I’m not indulging in your recklessness tonight. It’s not happening here.” His eyes were determined now, hardened dark emeralds shining brightly in his decision. Dex never wavered once he made up his mind.

“It’s better out here than somewhere someone might catch us.”

He sighed, and I saw how his muscles relaxed a bit under his dark T-shirt. “I don’t really give a fuck if someone sees me with my girlfriend.”

The way he emphasized the label made the butterflies in my stomach flutter and then immediately scatter from thewhooshof fear I felt. “Don’t call me that when you know we can’t be together.”

He shook his head, his dark hair long enough that it fell over his forehead before he combed it back. “Then we shouldn’t be out here in the woods.”

I crossed my arms. “You agreed to keep us a secret while I figure things out with the record label, Dex.”

“It’s been a whole damn year, Kee. A year of me loving you, and a year of you wanting me to keep it a secret. For what?” The question flew from his mouth just as thunder rumbled in the distance. The clouds were rolling in for the night just as clouds were rolling in for our relationship too.

“Trinity Enterprises wants me to look like that all-American girl, okay?” Even as I said it, I hated the reason.

“Is Ethan the all-American guy?” He lifted a brow as he threw Ethan’s name in my face.

“He’s…” I didn’t know what to say, honestly. Trinity Enterprises definitely wanted us to date. They had us perform together every chance they got. We attended award shows together, galas, magazine cover shoots, everything. “We don’t want each other. It’s just for the press.”

His jaw ticked. “Imagine seeing another woman on my arm.”

“I already have. Gabriella was all over you tonight.” My stomach twisted in knots, the butterflies in it now curdling with the acid of jealousy flowing through my veins.

“Kee.” He turned away from me and stormed off. Then he spun back and strode up to me to point his finger in my face. “You set us up. You wanted me to date her.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying so hard to find the strength to keep this charade up. “You’re right. And you should be with her. She’s great.” She had long auburn hair, a nice smile, and she was a good friend to all of us. She wasn’t messy like me, didn’t come with a million pieces of baggage that Dex shouldn’t have to deal with.

“I don’t want anybody but you.” His dark eyebrows dipped low as he tipped my chin up and rubbed it with his thumb, back and forth, back and forth.

“You can have me here,” I whispered. “Just not out there.”

“I want youevery-fucking-where.”

“You have me. Here. In private. It’s just for now. We’ll have each other forever soon enough.”

He just shook his head at me and tucked his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “In private. How is that supposed to be good enough? Especially when in public you’ll have another man all over you?”

I took a shaky breath. “It’s only for a while.”

“Remind me. How long is your contract with Trinity, Kee?” He crossed his arms.