“I’m still shocked he asked me out,” I mumble before adding a little lip gloss to my pink pout. I look hard into the mirror and sigh before wiping off the makeup I just applied. I glance over at my sister, who is now reading my latest library book. “You can borrow it if you want,” I tell her, with a smile.
She looks up at me with a grimace. “I don’t read. I’m not a nerd like you.”
I smile and pick up my brush, gently running it through my wavy blonde locks. The springs of my mattress creak as she climbs off my bed. “You might enjoy it. It’s full of smut and teenage drama. It would be like your usual Saturday night,” I joke. It’s true though. I am the good one. The one who studies hard and helps around the house. Nicole is the one who pushes boundaries and is always having our dad pick her up from parties.
She snorts, coming up behind me and grabbing the makeup wipe. I guess I missed a spot.
“Why did you remove your makeup? You looked pretty. In a totally innocent ‘I’m a good girl,’ way.” She takes the brush from me and finishes combing it through my blonde waves. I hand her my hair tie, and she pushes my arm away.
“You look better with it down,” she mutters before grabbing the curling iron. I watch as she turns me into a mermaid. My soft blonde hair is now in big bouncy curls. She grabs my brush and gently combs them out, giving me perfect waves.
“I never wear makeup. If I show up wearing it on our date, he’s going to know,” I whisper, and she starts to laugh.
“It’s a date. If there ever was a time to step out of your comfort zone and try something new, it would be today.” I think about what she says for a minute, then nod. She’s right. I really like Rex.
“Will you help me?”
She holds a hand to her chest and gasps dramatically. I roll my eyes just waiting for the Nicole show to start. She would seriously be an amazing actress if only she would attend the classes. At a year younger than me, she’s already experienced more life than I have.
When I was twelve my dad took us to a mall to see a movie, and a talent scout saw Nicole and fell in love. She said Nicole hadthelook and wanted to bring her in for some modeling shots. My dad laughed it off, but my grandma convinced him to give it a shot. Soon after that, she was traveling the country and leaving me behind. Well, that was until she got in with the bad crowd and had to come home.
“You want me to corrupt the good girl? What would Dad say?” I snort and nod. She wipes an imaginary tear and grabs my makeup bag. “My big sis is finally growing up.” I burst out in giggles, and she gives me a wink.
“Okay, we have thirty minutes to get you date-ready, and you are not wearing that. Just wait sis, Rex is going to cream his pants when I’m done with you.” My eyes bug, and she laughs while shaking her head.
Crap what did I get myself into?
* * *
We pull up to a carnival,and Rexley makes me wait in the car ‘til he can open my door. I was a little embarrassed to mention this was my first date, but now, I’m glad I did. He is totally pulling out all the stops.
He showed up at my house with flowers and a pack of steaks for my father, now he’s opening the doors. I feel like a princess. I take his hand and let him pull me into a kiss. He runs his hands down my back to my butt, grazing the skin on my upper thighs.
“Did I mention how much I love you in dresses?” he mumbles into my neck, and I shiver. He has about ten times now. Nicole was right to pick this short, black sundress with white flowers on it. My dad about had a fit when I came down to answer the door, but in the end, he smiled at me and hugged me goodbye. Plus, it helped that Nicole followed behind me in a short crop top and booty shorts. I’d say I owe her one, but she wears things like that all the time.
“So much easy access,” Rex continues to talk and slowly gets my blood boiling with his soft caresses. I have never had a boy touch me in the way he does. He pulls away when someone calls his name, and I sigh with relief. It’s not that I don’t like him touching me, but I needed a little air to breathe. This is all so new to me.
Rex grips my hand tight, and I wince a little at the force. Nick, Kelly, Ronnie, and his teammate Adam come closer, and Rex’s posture changes as they look me over.
“Wow, Rex I can see now why the little virgin interests you so much,” Ronnie snarks, then laughs with Kelly. Is it really common knowledge how innocent I am?
Adam moves beside her, nudging her shoulder.
“Well not everyone likes throwing a pickle down a hallway.” Everyone starts to laugh, and I scrunch my brows. I don’t get it.
Rex shakes his head and leans down to press a kiss on my cheek. I smile up at him and ignore the fake gagging.
“Come, there is so much I want to do with you, and you have a curfew.” My cheeks redden, and I avoid his gaze.
“You probably think I’m such a child. Almost eighteen and have to be home, tucked in bed before the clock even strikes twelve,” I mutter, and he laughs.
“It’s one of the things I like most about you, kitty. How sweet and pure you are. It makes me want to dig deep and get to the real Cat. The one who's hiding beneath the sheltered walls around her.” I stop next to a vendor and listen to how passionate Rex is about this.
“I don’t know what you mean, Rex. This is me. I may have been sheltered, but it was my choice. Nicole was the one who got to go off and be wild. I stayed home and cooked, cleaned, did my homework, and volunteered at the veterans hospital whenever we had one on the base where we were stationed.” He shakes his head and lifts my chin, running his thumb under my neck.
“There is so much still to be awoken in you, Cat, and I can’t wait to be here by your side when it is.” He leans down and presses his mouth to mine. I whimper and open for him, letting him take the lead.
Someone coughs next to us, and I pull back, glancing at the man, who is trying not to laugh. Rex glares and grabs a spool of cotton candy, tossing some cash at the man’s face. He takes my hand and pulls me away, muttering about something. I look back over my shoulder and give the friendly man a wave.