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  "Is he new? I've just never heard you mention him before."

  I smiled and shrugged. "He's new to me."

  She laughed at that.

  Kyle shuffled into the kitchen to open the refrigerator door. "What's funny?"

  Mom shook her head. "Nothing."

  He looked from her to me, and then put his head back into the fridge. "What's for supper?"

  "I'm ordering Chinese. It'll just be me and you tonight, buddy. Salem has a date."

  Kyle bumped his head as he pulled it out to gawk at me. "You have a date?"

  I sneered at him. "Yes, I have a date. So what?"

  "It's just weird, is all. I didn't think you dated."

  "I've had boyfriends before."

  "I know, I just don't ever remember any of them taking you out on a ‘date' before." He shrugged, then went back to inspect the contents of the refrigerator.

  "What time are you going out?" Mom asked.

  "At six."

  She glanced at the clock on the wall. "That's in an hour." She frowned at me. "You're not wearing that are you?"

  I glanced down at my plain white t-shirt and dark wash jeans—about the only pair I owned that didn't have holes in them—and nodded. "Yeah. Why?"

  Without a word, she grabbed my arm and pulled me down the hall to her bedroom. When I saw where she was going, I started to back peddle.

  "Mom, nothing you own is going to look good on me. I hate pink. Unless its neon and has skulls on it." I collapsed on her bed and covered my face in her pillow.

  "Not everything I own is pink. I was cool once too, you know."

  I heard her as she opened her closet door and started to rummage through the hangers. The snap of plastic hangers being pushed to the side one by one echoed around the room.

  Finally, she must've found something decent, because it landed on my back. She must've thrown it at me.

  "Try that on."

  Reaching around, I pulled the silky blouse off my back and held it up to my eyes. It was a dainty baby-doll camisole with spaghetti straps in a pretty teal color. Frowning, I slid off the bed, stripped off my t-shirt and slid the thing over my head. Pouting, I allowed my mom to direct me to her floor length mirror on the back of her bedroom door to see what it looked like on.

  I was pleasantly surprised.

  "That color is radiant against your skin, Salem." My mom beamed behind me, as if I'd just taken my first steps all over again.

  But she was right. The teal color looked really good on me. It brought out the green in my eyes.

  Getting into the spirit of the occasion, she tucked the hair behind my ears and smoothed out my bangs so they hung over only one eye. She smiled at me in the mirror. "You're gorgeous, honey."

  I smiled back. Although gorgeous might've been a strong word, I did look pretty damn good. Uber fine, would be my choice of words. I even was able to fill out the chemise pretty well considering I was barely pushing a B cup. Everything hung just right emphasizing my attributes, my pale skin, the slim line of my flat waist. I'd even date me.

  I smoothed my hands down the silk of the blouse. "Thanks, Mom. It's perfect."

  She beamed at me again, and then pressed a kiss to my cheek. "You're welcome."

  ***

  Josh arrived at exactly six o'clock. Which I found extremely odd for a guy. I'd never met one in my life who'd ever been on time.

  I didn't know what to expect when I opened the door, but it definitely wasn't the clutch of white daises he held in his hand.

  I looked at them, unsure of exactly what to do. Thankfully, Mom came to the rescue again and saved my ass from looking too dorky.

  She took them from my hand. "These are lovely. I'll put them in a vase for you, Salem."

  "Okay." I smiled nervously at Josh. "Thank you for the flowers."

  "You're welcome." He held out his hand for me. "Shall we go?"

  Everything felt so surreal I was unsure of what to do. I'd never had a normal guy come to my home to take me out, or bring me flowers, or be nice and polite to my mom when she introduced herself. It was uber strange. Weirdly enough, I really liked it. It made me feel special. I hadn't felt special since my tenth birthday party where I begged my mom for a Disney Princess party. I'd dressed up as Snow White and had my pictures taken. An 8X10 framed picture still hung on my mom's bedroom wall.

  My mom handed me my white jean jacket and my bag before Josh could pull me out of the house. I smiled at her, and then followed him down the walkway to the sleek-looking, black, sports car parked along the curb.

  He opened the passenger door for me, and I slid into the butter soft leather seat. The inside of the car even smelled nice—that spicy mouth-watering scent that clung to Josh.

  When he slid into the car and started the engine, I asked, "So, where are we going?"

  He just smiled, pushed in a JT CD—yes, God forbid, Justin Timberlake—and gunned it. I laughed despite myself and settled in for the ride.

  Chapter 12

  The first place Josh took me was the movie theater which was okay with me. It would provide a couple of hours where I didn't have to say anything coherent. It was hard being witty all the time. It was exhausting actually to have to think of every little thing that came out of my mouth.

  Josh wanted to see some raunchy teen comedy, with too much sex, drug and alcohol usage, and wall to wall f-bombs. I agreed, although I wasn't too thrilled to see it. I'd rather have seen the newest horror flick. By the end of the movie though, after the popcorn, pop, candy, and an hour and a half of belly-busting laughter, I was enjoying myself.

  Back in the car, I tried to relax more. Josh was just a guy. And he'd shown an interest in me, so obviously I had something going on. I didn't usually have esteem issues, but being with the golden boy in his hot expensive car made me feel a bit self-conscious.

  "Did you like the movie?" he asked.

  I nodded. "Yeah, it was funnier than I expected."

  "You were laughing pretty good." He smiled. "I heard you snort a couple of times."

  "I did not snort."

  He chuckled. "Yeah, you did." He held up two fingers. "Twice."

  I laughed but I could feel my cheeks redden. I dipped my head trying to hide my embarrassment.

  "I thought it was very cute." Josh reached across the front seat and played with the tip of my hair hanging just above my breast. "I liked it."

  I wasn't sure what to say after that. Nerves were zinging through me like electricity. There were butterflies in my stomach doing some cheesy break dancing. So I just blurted out the first thing that came to my mind.

  "You're like the most popular guy in school, why in hell did you ask me out?"

  His hand dropped from my hair and he put it back onto the steering wheel. "Because I like you."

  "You don't even know me, Josh."

  "Well, I'd like to get to know you."

  I shook my head at the circle in his logic. "But why? I'm not Miss Popular. I'm not even close to being popular and I don't look anything like Heather or her set."

  "To be honest, Salem. I don't know." He chewed on his lower lip for a second then continued. "When I saw you on the steps in front of school, it just hit me, like a baseball bat to the head. I had to talk to you. I had to get to know you."

  "That's kind of weird." I glanced out the side window. I didn't want him to see the look in my eyes. The one that said I knew what had happened to him. Why he had to all of a sudden get to know me. It was the changes inside me. They somehow made me more attractive. It was like having super-powered pheromones.

  "You don't sound too happy about it."

  I glanced at him and smiled. "I'm still in shock."

  "I'm actually surprised you agreed to go out with me."

  "You were?"

  He nodded. "Yeah, I mean, I'm not really your type of guy."

  "And what is my type of guy?"

  "Dark, brooding, tattoos, piercings, and a bad haircut." He chuckled.

  "Well, I'm not rea
lly your type of girl, either. I have a brain instead of silicone implants."

  He laughed, and then said, "No, I suppose you're not my usual interest." He looked at me, and his gaze was penetrating. Even through the twilight of the vehicle I could see the spark in his deep blue eyes. "But that's what makes it fun, don't you think?"

  I just smiled, unsure of how to respond to that. He was right in a way. The fact that we weren't a match made in heaven made the whole experience different. Naughty. Like we were doing something very wrong. I liked it. And by the way Josh kept eyeing me, with a dangerous glint in his gaze; he was enjoying the sensation as well.

  For the rest of the drive, we didn't talk much. Once in awhile he'd ask me a question about things I liked. Music, movies, school subjects. The usual.

  It wasn't until Josh drove the car into a big parking lot that I perked up. I didn't recognize the park he'd pulled up to.

  "Where are we?"

  "Camel's Back Park."

  He turned off the engine and got out of the car. He walked around the vehicle to open my door. I slid out, glancing around the area wondering why he brought me here.

  "Do you bring all your dates here?"

  He shook his head. "I used to come here all the time with my mom before she died."

  Now, I felt like a big old piece of crap for asking. "Oh. I'm sorry."

  He shrugged. "Don't sweat it. It was years ago." He was looking down at the ground, kicking at the gravel. Then he glanced up at me. "Do you like to swing?" He took my hand and pulled me toward the big, green-painted playground.

  Intrigued, I followed him to the swing set. I had to admit, swinging was one of my favorite things to do on a playground. Sometimes at night, I would go for a walk near my house and stop at the playground for a swing. I never told anyone that though, it struck me as sounding sort of childish.

  But now, I allowed that inner child free and positioned my butt into one of the rubber swings. Josh didn't settle beside me in the next swing but stood behind me, intent on pushing.

  I smiled as he settled his hands around my waist. "Hang on," he murmured into my ear. A shiver raced down my spine as he pulled me backwards then let me go.

  His hands started on my back as he pushed me, but eventually they ended up on the curve of my butt. I thought it was an ingenious way to cop a few feels. I didn't mind though. Every touch sent a new wave of heat rushing through my body.

  After a few more good pushes, I was soaring high. My stomach crested and dipped every time I went up, my feet nearly in line with my head. At one point, I thought I was going to go all the way over. Giggling, I kicked my legs, enjoying every minute of the sensation. It was like flying.

  Eventually, I had enough. So did my stomach. "No more!" I yelped to Josh. He stopped pushing and I let myself slow enough that he could get a handle on the swing chains to bring me to a complete stop.

  His hands moved over to my waist and he leaned down to my ear again. "How was that?"

  "Awesome," I breathed just a little too heavy. His scent was enticing me just a bit too much. Saliva actually pooled in my mouth.

  I pushed out of the swing. "Let's go on the slide."

  He grinned. "Race you." He charged toward the long spiral slide. I was right on his heels. When he reached the metal steps, he said, "You go first."

  When we reached the bottom, Josh didn't make any indication that he was letting go of me. I couldn't complain. I liked being held close against him.

  "You smell really good."

  "I do?"

  "Uhuh," he murmured against my neck, brushing his lips against my pulse point just under my ear.

  It tickled but also felt really good. Licking my lips, I titled my head up giving him easier access to my neck. I clutched at his thighs as he nibbled on my skin, his lips moving down along the slope between my neck and shoulder. Then his hand spread out along my belly, holding me tighter, his fingers coming too close to my crotch. That was when I stood up out of his embrace. Too much, too soon.

  Clearing my throat, I kicked at the pebbles on the ground and looked at Josh to see if he was angry. Smiling sheepishly, he stood, putting his hands in his pockets. "Sorry. You just, ah, smell really good, and I really like you."

  I returned his smile. "I like you too, but it doesn't mean I'm going to sleep with you."

  "I know." He held out his hand to me. "Come on. Let's sit and get to know each other."

  I took his hand and followed him to a cute little plastic bench hidden under one of the slides in the playground. As we settled onto it, I imagined two or three eight-year old best girlfriends huddling there sharing secrets or talking about one of the cute boys on the swing. It had that kind of ambiance. One of privacy. A place to be able to tell all or explore all. It was a perfect place to make out.

  Which I was sure was Josh's intent.

  Anxiety skittered through my body. My hands were clammy with sweat which I was sure Josh could feel since he was still holding my hand. Swallowing, I glanced at him, trying to figure out what he was thinking. He looked at me but didn't smile. And that's when it felt like I was going to puke. He looked so fierce, and determined as he leaned into me.

  He brought his hand up to my face and cupped my cheek. Moving my chin, he angled it up to meet his. My lips parted on a sigh when he brushed his lips once, then twice against mine. At first his kiss was gentle, and sweet, but quickly turned into something hot and frantic, as if he couldn't get enough of me.

  Nerves settled in. Images of my time in the hotel room with Thane flashed through my mind. I didn't want to go through that again. Although I knew that Josh couldn't hurt me like that. He wasn't strong enough. He was merely human.

  Although I was scared, the fear wasn't enough for me to make him stop. I liked him. I liked that he liked me.

  My hands fisted in the cloth of his shirt. I kissed him back, giving as good as I was getting. His moans of appreciation sparked another wave of heat to surge through me. I became high from kissing Josh. My head was spinning and my belly flipped over again and again.

  As his lips continued to nibble and caress mine, his hands became bolder. He moved them from my shoulder, one slid down my back to pull me tighter and the other inched its way to my breast. I didn't jerk away this time. I liked his touch; I liked how it made me feel. Beautiful. Wanted. Powerful, even.

  Josh moved his mouth from mine down to my chin, pressing blistering, wet kisses along the way. I let my head drop back as he nibbled and nipped at my throat. He molded and squeezed my breast then slowly trailed his hand down to the hem of my shirt. I sucked in a breath as he quickly slipped under the edge and started to move his way back up, his fingertips lightly brushing against my skin.

  My eyes snapped open when his palm covered me. That was when I realized I'd changed; that something had shifted inside of me, catapulting me into the dark place. Red as dark and rich as blood circled Josh's form. I licked my lips, feeling strange inside. A hunger so deep so intense clawed at my insides, I had to bite back a groan of agony.

  He groaned into my ear, "Oh, man, I'm so hard."

  A sharp unpleasant pinch on my flesh drove me from my foggy euphoria. Gone were Josh's subtle seductions, his flare for flirting. Instead of a smooth ladies' man, a pawing slurping animal lapped at my skin and groped my body. The thought I had of wanting to feast on him made me sick.

  I pushed him away, but he didn't budge, too busy sucking on my neck and squeezing my boob to pay attention.

  "Stop, Josh."

  Again, he didn't listen. Instead his hand snaked down my torso to the zipper on my jeans. I grabbed his hand, squeezed, and pushed it away, but he was insistent and managed to pull the metal tab down halfway before I could knee him. I didn't hit him where I wanted to, between the legs, but on the thigh. It must've hurt anyway, because he let out a yelp.

  "What's the matter with you?" He sounded angry, indignant.

  "I told you to stop," I breathed, my heart racing, my throat tight with anxiety.


  "I thought you were enjoying it. I thought you wanted it."

  "Not like this. Not here. Not now." After I pulled up my zipper and adjusted my camisole, I stood and stepped out of the little hidden alcove.

  Sighing heavily, Josh followed me. I glanced over my shoulder at him and saw him adjust his jeans. Obviously he was sporting a major boner. I shuddered suddenly repulsed by him.

  "Can you just take me home, now, please?"

  He sighed again, and then nodded. "Sure." He moved up beside me and we starting walking back to the car. I wrapped my arms around my body. I couldn't stop shaking. Something horrible had almost happened, by either Josh or me, and I couldn't tell which would've been worse.

  When we reached the car, Josh stopped and turned toward me, touching my arm. "Look, I'm sorry, okay. I didn't mean to push you. It's just you're, I don't know, kind of irresistible."

  I smiled a little at his last words. "It's fine." But I still couldn't stop the shivers racking my body.

  "Can I have a hug?" He opened his arms to me. "You don't hate me right?"

  "No, I don't hate you." I went into his open arms and sighed when he hugged me close. The warmth from his body enveloped me. He sighed into my neck, blowing hot air over my skin, and pressed me even tighter.

  After a minute, I tried to move out of his embrace, but he kept me still. I could feel his heart thumping like a tribal drum, and the way he was panting told me he was having difficulty releasing me. I found I was having a hard time breathing.

  "Josh, you're crushing me."

  "I'm sorry, Salem, but I can't seem to let you go." I could hear an unusual quiver in his voice. As if he was surprised, scared even.

  I struggled against him, but he held on and proceeded to back me up into the vehicle. I hit the side door with an audible thump. "Let me go, Josh," I bit out between chattering teeth.

  He shook his head back and forth. "I can't," he whined. "I have to have you. I have to, or I'll die. I know it."

  Oh God, this couldn't be happening. Not again. And this time I'd be awake and aware for it. I couldn't let this happen; I couldn't let Josh do this. Especially when I suspected he wasn't quite himself. That something I was doing was amplifying whatever had been in his mind to begin with.