Page 50 of Infatuated
I roll my eyes. “We’re just friends, Mom. Nothing is going on.” Lies. So much has happened between us, and fast. I’m really falling for this girl, and she’s leaving in a couple of days. It can’t work out between us—we’re too different. I should really end it now while I still have a chance of keeping our friendship.
Then I think about how she felt under me—her nails and heels digging into me as I pushed into her the first time. It was like pure heaven—or hell, knowing I can’t keep her. It felt so different with her than with Kasey. Maybe that’s because we were both inexperienced, and this time I could take control, but I doubt it. It was her.
Kasey has sent me a few texts, apologizing for the way she acted at the dance, and while I’m pissed she did it, I’m inclined to accept her apology. Honestly, I want to see her happy. I’m not that person for her anymore, and I’ve accepted it. She needs to as well. No matter what, we’ll always have a tie to one another. I can thank our parents for that. We need to find a way to move past whatever animosity it is we harbor toward one another.
Mom says something I don’t catch and walks away to help a family with small children. The Carringtons come into view then, and Russ and Lana are trailing a few paces behind, carrying on a conversation. I put my empty mug down with a little too much force; I’m surprised I didn’t crack it.Chill, man.
“Morning. How’s everyone feeling?” I ask, stepping off the porch, forcing a smile to my face. When I look into Lana’s eyes, my expression softens and I smile for real.
“A little tired, but nothing a little hike won’t fix,” Mr. Carrington states.
“Great, well, the trail we’re going to hike this morning is about two miles round trip and offers a great view of the ranch and pond. Do you want to grab a few snacks before we head out?”
They agree and walk over to the table with snacks laid out, Lana joining them. Russ stops next to me though, so I wait for him to speak.
“What’s going on with you and Lana?” he asks, keeping his gaze on her.
I glance over, and it’s like she knows I’m looking at her. Almost like she can feel it. I smile and she smiles back, waving at me. “We’re just friends. She’s a great girl.”
“She seems pretty amazing. If there’s nothing going on between you two, I’d like the chance to get to know her better while I’m here.”
I clench my teeth. I have a big fucking problem with that. She’s mine. Not yours. Except I don’t say any of that. Instead, I tell him, “Like I said, just friends.”
He claps me on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze before striding over to load up his bag with snacks. It kills me a little to tell him that lie. I want to be so much more than friends with her, but now’s not the right time. I watch the two of them interact as she grabs a few items, laughing as he tells her a joke.
Her laugh is so wonderful. It sends a warm tingle down my spine to settle in the pit of my stomach. I want to make her laugh like that. I want to be the one to put a smile on her face. Did I mess it all up by saying that to Russ? I sure as hell hope not.
* * *
The hike has been easy so far. I lead the way, and while Lana started off walking beside me, after a few minutes, she fell behind and is now walking with Russ. I’m not sure if it’s because she wants to hang with him, or if it’s because of the cold shoulder I’ve given her.Okay, fine. It’s the cold shoulder.I know I’m creating my own misery here.
When we reach the top, we take a breather as the guests take pictures and look around, spending some time asking me questions about the ranch and land. I usually love talking about the ranch, but today, my heart isn’t in it. I give my standard answers but don’t share any additional information.
“Take a few more minutes to look around and snap some pictures, and then we’ll head back. There should be some snacks available when we get there. There’s also some lawn games set up if you’re interested in getting to know some of the other guests,” I say.
Lana excuses herself from Russ and comes up to me, a smile on her face. “Hey, cowboy, what’s wrong? You okay today?”
I want to take her hand and drag her somewhere secluded to have my way with her. At this point, I’d settle for some cuddling time and kisses. Yesterday wasn’t enough. I wanted to have the time to lay with her, make sure she was okay, but we couldn’t.
“Hey, beautiful,” I whisper to her. “Yeah, I’m all right. Just wish I could spend more time with you alone.”
Her face softens. “I really wish we could, too. It drove me crazy last night that I couldn’t do anything but sit next to you.”
I jut my chin toward Russ. “What do you think of him?”
“Russ?” I nod. “He’s all right. Seems to be trying too hard to get me to like him. He has a sexy accent though.” She blushes and looks to her feet.
I feign hurt and put my hand over my heart. “Sexier than mine?”
She pulls me down, her lips grazing my ear. “He may have the sexier accent, but he can’t make me feel the way you do.”
“And how’s that?” I ask, a smile bright on my face.
“Needy and wanted, all at the same time.”
She pulls back to look at me, and it takes everything in me not to pull her to me and crash my lips down on hers. For being inexperienced, she’s sinful. I swallow hard and look at the other four people we’re with. Russ is watching with a curious expression. He’s trying to make heads or tails of us.
“Lana, what if I want more with you? What if I don’t want this time between us to end?”