Hypnotized Read online

  I guess he won the level and I could get back to this spreadsheet. I’d always been good in math, and instead of hiring an accountant for the shop, Dad used me. Which was fine, I supposed. Once a month, I spent a day filling in all the blanks, printed out a sheet of paper, and told him if things looked good or bad. Thankfully, this had been a good month for them.

  I was just about done when my phone vibrated on the table. Picking it up, I saw a text from Paisley.

  What did I tell you about parking on the sidewalk?

  I grinned and turned toward the entrance just as it opened and she came in. My gaze swept over her body. Damn, she was hot in that yellow sundress.

  I pushed back my chair and went over to greet her, placing a kiss on her cheek.

  “Is that your girlfriend?” Nate asked.

  Paisley giggled. “Is this your little brother? He’s so cute.” She left my arms and went straight over to him.

  I shook my head, my little brother was stealing my girl.

  “Yes, this is Paisley, the one I told you about.” I placed a hand on her shoulder. “Want anything?”

  “Got any muffins?”

  “I’ll go see.” My dad was behind the register. “We have muffins?”

  “Just blueberry and banana nut.”

  “Give me one of each.” I was hungry. I’d eat whatever one she didn’t want.

  My dad handed them to me the glanced past my shoulder at Paisley. “That one seems different then your usual conquest.”

  “She isn’t a conquest, for one.” I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t care less if it was disrespectful or not. When he actually started to act like a father, I might care.

  “Don’t forget, you’ve got work to do and a brother to take care of.”

  Of course, asshole was good for neither of those. “I haven’t forgotten.” I took the muffins from him and went back over to the table. “I have a blueberry and banana nut.”

  “Ooh, I want the blueberry.” Nate snatched it. Damn, he’d take my girl and my snack. Good thing I loved the little guy.

  “Thank you.” Paisley grinned sweetly as she took the only muffin left.

  “How was class?” I sat back down and stared at the computer screen.

  “Long. Lots of note taking today.”

  I typed a few things into the spreadsheet. “I’m sure your notes will come in handy on test days.”

  “I’ve got a study group tonight, actually, for math. Evan will be there, too.”

  I tried not to make a face. Hopefully the computer screen hid it. “Oh, yeah. He and Kelly still seeing one another?”

  “I don’t know.” She sighed.

  I peeked over the top of the monitor; I didn’t like the sound she’d made. “Something wrong?”

  “We had a big fight.”

  “About?” Her gaze went toward the table. I already knew the answer. They fought about me. “We can talk about it later.”

  Even though Nate looked as though he was engrossed in whatever on the tablet, he still listened.

  “What are you doing?” she asked. “Writing?”

  “I wish. Work for Dad then Nate and I are getting dinner. Want to come?”

  “Aw, I’d love to. But I have that study group, and we’re grabbing a pizza before.”

  “Can’t you meet up with them after?” Nate asked as he set the tablet down.

  Paisley set her half eaten muffin on the brown napkin. “I would if I hadn’t already agreed. I’d rather get to know you.”

  “Where are you studying?” I clicked save then told the program to print.

  “My place.” She glanced at her watch. “Crap. I need to get going.”

  I pushed back from my chair. “I’ll be right back, Nate. I’m going to walk Paisley out.”

  A moment later, we were outside in the bright sun. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I pushed her against the dark blue wood of the building. Not even giving her time to speak, I kissed her. I was greedy and didn’t care. I probed her mouth open, deepening the kiss. I’d been doing my best to be a gentleman lately, but it was getting hard. Especially when she showed up in such a sexy little dress I only wanted to remove.

  Paisley gently pushed me back, breaking the kiss. “Wow, what was that all about?”

  “I missed you.”

  She let her fingers trail down my chest then back up. “I missed you, too.”

  “Hopefully my mom’s back soon so she can take care of Nate again.”

  She stared at me quizzically. “Is she out of town?”

  I nodded, feeling guilty the moment I did. So far I’d hardly shared much about my family with her. I needed to. I took care of Nate a lot, and I needed to make sure she was okay with that. Though, Paisley was so sweet, I could hardly see how she would have a problem with it.

  She played with the hair on the back on my neck. “Let me know when you’re free. Maybe you can come over soon.”

  “Maybe. Nate’s going to my grandma’s soon. I have to work. I’ve been blowing it off too long.” I was lucky I still had it after sleeping at her place the other night and not even calling them. I wasn’t about to mention that to her.

  “Sounds good.” She stood up on her tippy toes and planted a kiss on my cheek. “Call or text me, okay?”

  Paisley left my arms and started to walk away. I watched her leave as the loosely fitting dress swayed against her body as she moved. The next time I saw her, I needed to see what was underneath.

  I was about to head back in when my dad opened the door. “Run over to the smoothie shop, will ya?”

  I shrugged. “Okay. What do you want?”

  “The manager has something for me.”

  “All right.” I didn’t really feel like it. “You watching Nate?”

  “I got him.” He went back into the store.

  Right about now, I could really use a ride on my bike, but unfortunately the smoothie place was within walking distance. The sun beat down on me. In the short walk, I broke out in a slight sweat. Sometimes I hated Georgia. But I sure as hell didn’t want to deal with the snow up north. Heck, it was bad enough here. Half an inch of snow had people skidding all over and in a panic.

  As I rounded the corner, I cursed under my breath. Evan sat on the bench outside staring at his cell phone. Maybe I could walk right past him and he wouldn’t even notice me.

  “Gabe.”

  Luck was not with me. “Hey.”

  Evan set his phone down on his leg and stared at me. I don’t think either of us really knew what to say to one another.

  “How’s Paisley?” he asked.

  I tried to contain the smirk, but couldn’t. “She’s good. Just left the coffee shop, actually, to get ready for a study group.”

  “Yeah, we’re meeting at a pizza joint soon before we head back to her place to study.”

  “All right, well, I need to get in here and get something for my dad.”

  Evan stood and shoved his phone into his pocket. “I’m doing my best to support Paisley with her infatuation with you. But I want you to know, she’s special to me. She’s not a toy.”

  “She’s special to me, too. I’m not playing with her. I really like her.”

  Evan rolled his eyes. “Yeah, whatever. I’ve heard enough about you to know you don’t fall for girls.”

  “You don’t now shit about me. You’re new to this whole grown-up thing. I’ve been around here for awhile. Pete is a moron. Getting mixed up with him is trouble.” Pete was always mixed up in something, other than women. He was known for partying with more than alcohol. Hopefully, Evan was smart enough not to get involved with that.

  “Whatever, dude. I don’t have time for this. Some of us have plans to make a living, some of us don’t.” He brushed past me.

  I turned. “Yeah, and one of us got the girl, and one of us is left on the sidelines.”

  Evan shook his head and flipped me a bird. “I’ve got a history with her. When you’re done with her, I’ll still be here waiting. The sidelines aren�
�t so bad.”

  “Fucking moron,” I said under my breath then pulled the glass door to the smoothie shop open a little too hard.

  How the hell was Paisley friends with that jerk? If it wasn’t for her, I would’ve punched the guy and put his pansy ass in his place. Who was he to say anything about me and Paisley?

  I closed my notebook that held my study notes. The session went well, but I was glad it was over. We ended up staying at the pizza place, which had been fine by me. I hadn’t really wanted to have everyone over.

  My head ached from trying to absorb all the knowledge. Going home and going to bed sounded like the best way to end this evening. Well, if Gabe was there, that would make it perfect, but he had to work. Speaking of work, I needed to check with Ms. Clara about next week’s schedule. I had a doctor’s appointment I’d forgotten to tell her about.

  “I’m so ready for this test now,” Debbie said as she zipped up her back pack.

  “I’m ready for a beer.” Even groaned.

  Evan was always ready for an adult beverage of some kind. “Well, I’m going to go.” I slipped my back pack on. “See ya in class.”

  “Wait up, Pais. I’ll walk with you.” Evan was by my side before I could even get out of the restaurant. “Getting all settled into the new place?”

  I smiled. Maybe this would be my Evan. The one who wasn’t being a jerk most of the time. “I didn’t have too much, so yeah.”

  “You have a second bedroom, if you need a roommate, let me know.”

  I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “You live with Pete. Is that not going well?”

  “He’s a horn dog. I get kind of tired of his revolving bed.”

  “And you had bad things to say about Gabe?” I lifted an eyebrow and chuckled as we crossed the street toward my apartment.

  “Gabe only wants one thing from you.”

  Here we go again. “Evan.”

  “Let’s not talk about him.”

  “Good idea.” I stopped outside the door that would take me up to my apartment. “I’d invite you up, but I’ve got a headache. So it’s probably best if we part ways.”

  “I could draw you a bath.”

  Draw me a bath? I’d never heard Evan make such a suggestion. “How is it going with Kelly?”

  He stared into my eyes. “She isn’t the one I want. You know that.”

  I didn’t want to have this conversation with him. I was tired of the circles we seemed to be going around in all the time. “I really need to get up and get some meds to stop this pounding in my head. Good luck on your test.”

  Evan opened the door for me. “Sure I can’t come up?”

  “I am.” I watched as his expression went from hopeful to sour. I hated that Evan and I had seemed to lose what we once had. But for some reason, he couldn’t except I wanted to be with Gabe. In his twisted head, he and I were suddenly a couple, which just made no sense.

  “‘Night.”

  He nodded and left in the direction I assumed he was parked.

  Once inside my home, I pulled my phone from my purse and sent Gabe a quick text.

  Hope your night goes well and you stay busy.

  Before I could even put the phone down, he responded. The night would be better if I could ditch work and spend it with you.

  I smiled then went in search of medicine to help with this headache, then wondered if I should give Gabe a key so he could spend the night whenever he wanted. This relationship was growing stronger by the day; maybe it was time to start thinking about the next steps.

  ***

  “Gabe!” I screeched as he wrapped his arms around me from behind and nuzzled his face into my neck, leaving light little kisses.

  “Did I scare you?” he whispered.

  “I just didn’t see you.” I’d stopped by the coffee shop, needing to see him after being away for him for several days. However, when I’d first come in, it looked like he hadn’t been here. His stuff wasn’t in the corner like usual.

  “I was in the back dropping a few things off, but then I’m going home.” He lightly kissed behind my ear. “Come with me.”

  I gulped. I had to work tonight, but I had a few hours to kill. “For a little while.”

  “Let’s go then. Screw the few other things Dad asked me to do.”

  He took my hand and led me out the door. I hadn’t even gotten to order my coffee, but I didn’t need it now. Gabe was better a flavored coffee.

  Outside he brought me straight to his bike and patted the seat. “Hop on.”

  Gladly. I loved riding. Which was funny, since before Gabe, I’d never been on one of these things. Now I was addicted. If things progressed, maybe I’d look into a leather jacket for the winter.

  A few minutes later, I held onto him as the breeze met my face on the open road. He didn’t live far and the ride was over much quicker than I’d wanted, but I also couldn’t wait to get inside his place. Lately, all I could think about was kissing him and other things. I wanted to play and explore. No more holding back.

  There was an urgency in his gaze as he took my hand after climbing off the bike. We walked hand in hand down the stone pathway to his front door.

  Inside his place, I took my helmet off and set it by his on the table by the front door. Rubbing my hands together, I began to worry if this had been a good idea.

  “Can I get you anything?” he asked, his dark, messy hair falling into his eyes.

  He was sexy. I shook my head. The only thing I needed stood right in front of me.

  As if speaking with our mind, we walked through the house toward his bedroom. Was I dreaming? Before I could let my mind talk me out of it, he took my hand and led me over to the bed. I sat down.

  He brushed my hair behind my shoulders then lightly tickled my neck with the tips of his fingers. I smiled.

  “I have to kiss you.” He leaned close, but hesitated.

  Licking my lips, I closed the space and kissed him. Gabe groaned and grabbed me, pushing my lips open and letting his tongue slide in. Feeling brave, I started to lay back. I wanted his body on top of mine, to feel the heaviness.

  Opening my legs, he took my hint and nuzzled between, never breaking the kiss. This was what I craved. This closeness. I needed more. I was so addicted to Gabe, I couldn’t get enough. I needed to become one with him.

  I started to grab and tug greedily at him. Wrapping a leg around his waist, I pressed my center into his hard erection. God, I wanted to feel that inside me. Lots of my friends had been intimate with guys. The stories they’d told me about the way a man could fill them. The pleasure they’d experienced. I wanted that with Gabe. No one else.

  He stopped kissing me. “We can stop whenever you want.”

  “I don’t want to.” Crap, had I said that out loud? He made me feel so confident. “Um…”

  Pressing his forehead to mine, he smiled. “Don’t be afraid to tell me what you want.”

  I wanted things. Was I ready? “I want more. But I do need to work at the book store, too. The things I want to do with you, I don’t think we have time.”

  His hand rubbed my stomach. “Then for now, let’s play. I have one thing I’ve been dying to do to you.”

  I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity peaked. “What’s that?”

  “You just lay back and find out.”

  He kissed my neck and his hands toyed with the buttons on my jeans. He began to trail a kiss down my neck, to my collar bone. Then over my shirt, he kissed and sucked my breasts. I grew wet between my legs in anticipation of what was to come. Finally, his hot breath met my lower belly, right above my jeans. I was so turned on; I wanted to cry out in pleasure. I needed to get myself together or he’d surely know how innocent I was.

  He only likes innocent girls.

  Get the fuck out of my head, Evan!

  Gabe tugged at my jeans, pulling them down my hips. I lost all train of thought when he licked right above my panty line.

  He sat up, grinning as he removed my jeans all the
way. He pushed my legs father apart. I expected his mouth to return to my belly, but it didn’t.

  “Oh!”

  His mouth was on my girl parts. Oh. My. God. Was he going to? Never, ever, ever had anyone done this to me.

  I squirmed as his tongue probed me through my panties. This was new. I’d never felt pleasure like this. I couldn’t quite wrap my head around what I was feeling.

  He pushed my panties to the side. Was he going to put his mouth—“Oh!”

  Yes, yes he was. Oh my God! His tongue lapped up and down my folds. Then it swirled around my sensitive nub.

  Gripping the sheets until my knuckles turned white, I wasn’t sure how much of this I could handle. I was on fire down there. Every nerve wanted to burst from my body. My breathing picked up. Just as I thought I could get a grip, he slid a finger into my opening, sending me over the edge.

  “Gabe!” Instinctively, my hips ground into his hand; never in my life had I wanted anything so deep inside me as I did right now. His finger just wasn’t long enough as my orgasm tore through me.

  I shook as I calmed down from the pleasure. Gabe stopped fingering me, and then slowly kissed up my stomach, until finally moving off me and lying by my side. He propped himself up on his elbow and stared at me.

  “How was it?”

  We had to talk about it? Oh, I’d enjoyed it all right. But now I felt slightly self-conscious. He’d just been down there, between my legs. Did it smell? I’d heard horror stories from girls at school and guys, too. Something about a fish…

  Did I smell? Gazing back at him, I didn’t get an odor from him, and since his face had just been down there, I’d think I’d smell something.

  “Well.”

  “Uh.” What did I say? You totally rocked my world?

  “Have you ever been pleasured like that?”

  I shook my head. That was much easier then telling him no.

  “Wow. I can’t believe no one has tasted your sweet honey yet. I plan to have seconds very soon.”

  He was going to do it again—soon?

  “Don’t look so panicked. I’m not going to right now. You’re so cute, Pais, you know that?”

  You’re so fucking sexy.

  He brushed the hair back from my forehead. “You’ve got to talk to me. I’ll never know what you like, or don’t like, if you’re quiet all the time.”