The Scheme

True, I didn’t know him, but I didn’t like that he was still somehow the center of her world. I told myself that I’d promised her we were only ‘FTF-ing’, though I’d grown to hate that word. It seemed like weeks ago I’d promised myself all I needed was a little excitement, some fun, and a break from my day-to-day stress.

I had thoroughly screwed myself. I knew this, because I watched her every move, and as she looked in the mirror and held up two different pairs of earrings, I thought it was the cutest thing. Everything she did was damn adorable.

I wanted to tell her we should forego the movie and make a movie of our own. Or just rent one instead and make a point not to watch it.

She finally decided on a pair and looked at me for approval. “Beautiful,” I said, but I wasn’t talking about the earrings. Damn me and my inability to keep our relationship purely platonic.

I was screwed. I should cut myself off because the more we prolonged this relationship, the harder it was going to be on me. But I knew I wouldn’t. I just couldn’t. I knew myself. So I needed to formulate a plan.

I would have to convince her to pick me over Stiff. As irritating as it was that I even needed to prove myself over the prick, I knew that’s what I would have to do.

Smiling to myself, a thought pushed to the surface. Going forward, I’d break every FTF rule there was in that damn handbook of hers. Every single one.

***

I pulled her to the elevator and pressed the down button. As we stepped onto the main floor, I held her hand and opened every door that led us to the outside without breaking contact.

We hailed a cab, and I kissed our locked fingers, making sure I was breaking some unspoken rule. She had this look in her eyes, like she was quietly questioning my affection, yet she didn’t stop me.

I opened the door as we stepped into the cab, and she babbled on about how she hadn’t seen a scary movie in forever, since she’d left Bowlesville. I wondered if she knew she had repeated herself three times.

“Are you scared of zombies?” she asked, lowering her tone in a scary way, which had the opposite effect on me.

“There’s nothing I’m scared of, Kendy,” I told her with confidence.

She laughed and flipped her blonde locks over her shoulder. “Silly me. Thinking this blue-eyed bad boy was scared of anything.” She pushed at my chest with her index finger.

I laughed and pulled her in closer, taking in her intoxicating scent. I hadn’t felt like this in a long time—fully content, like nothing was missing—and I couldn’t help but feel as though it had everything to do with her.

I didn’t tell her that I was lying. Instead, I released a shallow breath and remained quiet. Because the truth was, there was only one thing that scared me . . . losing her to Stiff.

Losing her to anyone who wasn’t me.

***

KENDY

We were still holding hands as we strolled down the street. I’d never mentioned holding hands was against the rules, but really, I should’ve added that to my made up list. If we were going to keep our relationship strictly platonic, there didn’t need to be any handholding business.

I didn’t want to lead him on, but he knew what our relationship was. I glanced at his profile, wondering what he was thinking. A little stubble had grown on his chin, and I wanted to run my fingers down his face—better yet, my tongue. But then we’d never make the movie.

As we stepped in front of the attendant, I pulled out my wallet. I had to pay for my own ticket. I needed to make sure this wasn’t a full on date and keep the friendship lines clear.

“What’re you doing?” he asked incredulously.

“Paying for my movie.”

He moved my hand away from the window. “No, you’re not.”

I leaned in so no one could hear me. “We’re already boom-booming, and you’re taking me to the movies? Nope. I’m paying for my own. FTF handbook.” I winked at him to soften the blow.

A muscle moved in his jaw, but his face remained unaffected. “You and your damn make-the-rules-as-I-go handbook.”

Giving him a satisfied smile, I shoved my money toward the attendant through the small window. “One for Zombies Take Over.” I flashed a flirty smile, causing the teenage boy to blush, but then Brian blocked my path and moved my money to the side.

“Here, I have this. Two for the eight o’clock showing.” He reached for my hand and held it tight.

I squeezed his harder, surprising him, and threw the ten through the window. But Brian reached for it and shoved the cash in between my cleavage. My jaw dropped as I stared at him.

Unbelievable.

The teenage boy, no more than sixteen, laughed at our interaction.

I went in to reach for it, but Brian took my free hand captive. “Don’t.” His eyes were stern, and I gave it right back to him, jutting out my chin.

“You don’t tell me what to do.”

“You’re not paying,” he said with finality, his voice hard, causing a havoc on my pulse. “I was raised better than that. It’s what we do. Just let it happen.”

I rubbed my thighs together, getting heated at the look in his eyes. There was something about his stance that demanded authority, and it was a total turn on. I’d only seen him act like that in the bedroom.

A second later, his eyes softened as he bent down to peck my lips then

his finger dipped into the span of perky cleavage peeking out of my black shirt, leaving goose bumps prickling my skin. He took the money out and placed it in my hands. “Thank you, Princess.” He winked and nodded to the attendant.

I decided to let things be. I’d make it a point to get the next movie we saw together. “Chivalry is not dead after all. I’m telling your mama she raised a good boy.”

I was awarded with his sexy-ass smile.

***

BRIAN

Once we stepped into the theatre, Kendy tugged us up the stairs toward the back row. I noticed the bounce in her step. I loved her aura, the energy that surrounded her. She always seemed to have it, even after her long shifts at work.

“When was the last time you watched a scary movie?” I asked, trying to keep her pace.

She glanced over her shoulder. “Right before I left Bowlesville.”

“Are you leading us to the very top, so we can make out?” My eyes focused on her perfect apple ass, admiring the sexy sway as we made our way up.

“But of course,” she said, twirling her thumb up and down the inside of my palm, making my cock twitch. She turned toward me and raised her shoulder to her chin flirtatiously.

She chose the center of the top row. “Best seats in the house are at the very tippy top. Plus,” she angled herself in my direction, “if the movie gets boring, maybe I’ll let you take advantage of me.” Her devilish smile lit up the room like a meteor shower in a dark sky. Hell, I couldn’t breathe. There was no way I could not be affected by this woman, even if I tried. She was seeping into every part of my life, and I had to admit I was enjoying it.

When her stomach growled, she laughed and curled in. “Me needs food.”

Since we were cutting it close to show time, we had decided I’d get snacks after we’d claimed our seats. “Okay, I’m going to grab us some grub.”

Her nose wrinkled in the cutest way when she was confused. “I’ll go get it. I can’t live without popcorn, and of course butter, lots of it. And I have to have my cherry Slurpee.” She raised a finger for an exaggerated effect. “Let’s not forget the hotdog.”

She stood to leave, but I placed my hand on her arm. “It’s okay. I told you I’d grab it. I promised you a meal.”

She leaned down quickly, pecking me on the lips. “I’ll do it, babe.” Then she winked and skittered down the aisle, skipping down the steps.

I blinked at her retreating back.

She’d just called me babe.

And I swear I just died a little, because she just broke her own rule, and was so damn sexy doing it, too.