Page 3 of King of Hearts

The sun warmed the floors and walls, revealing two open windows, their lacy curtains billowing in the light breeze, and it shouldn’t have bothered me…but it did. Having windows open meant they weren’t closed and locked. Mentally I chided myself for caring whether or not she was safe; it really shouldn’t have fucking mattered. She was just a job, a favor texted in by my best friend on my way to practice. Like watering a plant.

“You’re here again.” A soft voice spoke up from behind me, and that jolt of energy pummeled through me once more.

Turning on my heel, I mentally readied myself for seeing her, for feeling her indifference.

“You’re sleeping in again.” I clicked my tongue in reproach.

That pouty mouth of hers turned into a frown while those blue eyes rolled. Sunshine, silk, and sadness—that was what this girl was made of, and for some fucked reason, it called to me. Sang like a song, thrumming in my blood, pounding in my ears and inside my chest to get closer to her, hold on to her…keep her. Except I never would. She was a door that occasionally needed to be opened but required being slammed shut within seconds. Open too long and she’d sink her hooks in, likely aiming for my heart this time. Last time it had just been a case of blue balls she caused…I’d never let her any closer than that.

“Why are you an asshole every time you come to my house?” She picked up the coffee I had brought myself and sipped it. Of course she’d think it was for her. She was selfish enough to assume me coming here was for her sake.

It was only for my best friend who worried about her little sister so fucking much that I agreed to come over once in a while. My best friend cared too damn much, enough to give herself an ulcer, or worse, a heart attack. Meanwhile, Taylor didn’t give a single fuck if Mal was okay or taking over a job she didn’t want. I resented her for it; Mal didn’t know that I did, but I was angry that my best friend had given up so much and her sister couldn’t seem to lift a goddamn finger.

I walked toward the kitchen, too angry to notice that she was wearing mere scraps of clothing. The way her tank top pressed against her bare breasts clearly showed her pert nipples and the fact that she wasn’t wearing a bra. Then there were the shorts that rode up so high her ass cheeks were on display. I’d never deny that Taylor Beck had a body made for sin; I’d just follow that up with the fact that I’d rather become a Catholic priest and take a vow of abstinence before ever indulging again. One kiss was enough.

“Am I the only asshole you’ve encountered in your precious, sheltered life?” I peered over my shoulder while tackling the dishes in the sink. Don’t ask me why I was suddenly washing dishes, except that it bugged the hell out of me that there were dirty ones in the sink. That paired with a myriad of takeout boxes on the counter…the place was a mess. Taylor was supposed to have moved out since she was done with school, but every few days I’d check and, sure enough, she was still here.

“You don’t know anything about my life,” she stated, her voice wavering just the smallest bit.

I knew enough of her life to know she wasn’t worth the time I spent checking on her. I knew she was selfish and self-centered. I knew she was stuck in my head, and I didn’t understand why. Whether I was skating, fighting, or fucking, there she was: blonde hair the color of sunshine on a cloudless day, her blue eyes glittering with unshed tears—the ones she thought no one ever saw—and that skin.

I turned my head, ignoring her tan, smooth skin. I’d touched it, and it was stuck in my head too. Occasionally that image would guide my hand while I fisted my cock in an attempt to get her out of my system.

“I know your gold-digging mother found herself a winning lottery ticket in the form of her magical cunt, married Charles Shaw, and became a millionaire’s wife overnight. I know you’ve been spoiled for the past six years, making your stepsister’s life a living hell. I know you’re selfish, conceited, and an easy lay.”

Her blue eyes sparkled with tears, but none fell. Her chin rose, her lips thinned, and I noticed her fists clench at her sides.Yes. Get angry, baby girl. Fight me. Fuck me. Put me out of my misery.

Suddenly she laughed, letting out a huff of air before pushing her silky blonde hair out of her face. It fell past her shoulders, and it had been a fantasy of mine to one day wrap it around my hand while I pounded into her from behind. A fantasy and a nightmare.

“You’re a waste of my energy. Completely forgettable.” Taylor sauntered past me, grabbed my cup of coffee, and then moved down the hall to her room.

I knew my words stung her. I wanted them to, but fuck, I didn’t want to admit how badly hers hit and landed like a missile into all my insecurities.

“You want to know why I’m an asshole to you every time I see you?” I suddenly said to her retreating form.

She paused in the middle of the hallway and spun on her heel. “Because we kissed, and I thought you were someone else?”

Fire. Ice. She made me feel too fucking much.

I took a step toward her, narrowing my eyes. “I’m an asshole because you’re selfish. You don’t deserve Mallory as your stepsister. She does everything for you, and you fucking throw it in her face. Everything you do makes her life harder, and becauseshehasmein her life, someone who actually cares about her, I’m not going to sugarcoat how badly I wish you’d just fucking disappear. Trust me, the fact that you kissed me has nothing to do with it. I just can’t stand you, but neither can anyone else, so at least I’m not alone in that.”

I had finally done it. I’d made her cry. Thick tears fell from her black lashes in little drops while her neck turned an angry red color, crawling up into her cheeks. I ignored what it did to my chest to see her react to what was likely the harshest thing I’d ever said to anyone in my life. She stood there crying while I just walked past her and out the door. I thought maybe I should just tell Mal I couldn’t come over anymore…maybe after this, she’d be out of my system for good.

* * *

June

Juan:Are you going to the wedding?

Taylor:Who is this?

Juan:Don’t play stupid.

Taylor:Juan?

Juan:Gold star.

Taylor:(Insert rolling eyes emoji) What do you want?

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