Page 6 of My Heart to Keep
Oh my word.“Quinn.” My tone was more forceful, even though the feeling of her hand on me was out of this world, and something she hadn’t been brave enough to do before.
I could hear a rustling of sorts somewhere nearby, and my stomach fell to the ground. “Your dad,” I managed to say, even though I didn’t want her to stop. But if she didn’t, I was going to do something that would be extremely embarrassing.
I pictured our first time in other positions and in a quiet spot where no one was around. Not in the middle of a party with Carter nearby or a slew of high school kids who loved taking videos and pictures.
She flew back as if I’d lit a match to her skin. “Where?” Her head swiveled in all directions.
I rushed toward the darkness of the farm where no lights existed. I wasn’t trying to run from her, but I needed to compose myself and make sure that whatever I’d heard wasn’t her father lurking nearby. Then again, if it were him, he would definitely not lurk. He would pounce with an ax to my knees.
“Where are you going?” she called out.
“I need a minute. Go back to the party. I’ll meet you inside.”
She giggled. “I don’t see my dad.”
“What’s going on?” Carter asked just as I disappeared into the darkness. “Who are you talking to?”
“I thought Daddy was out here,” she said.
I kept walking across the farm, trying to get my heart to calm down and my libido under control.
And I thought I had to worry about Marcus.
Carter folded his arms over his chest as though he were some big, bad dude about to scare off a heard of boys. “Where’s your boyfriend, sis?”
I loved my brother, but I didn’t miss him ruining my life around boys. When Maiken and I first met, Carter had been a thorn in my side. He hated Maiken being near me.
Still, I couldn’t let him smell the alcohol. That would be a huge disaster. “Maiken went up to his car to get something.”Liar, liar, pants on fire.
Carter looked up at the parking lot. “I don’t see him anywhere.”
“Go back to Brianna.” I hoped I wasn’t slurring. The two shots had done a number on me. I was suddenly regretting succumbing to Celia’s peer pressure, and Jack’s too.
“Well, ladies, why don’t you start this party by having a drink with me?” Jack had asked after setting up his equipment. “Alcohol gets me in a good mood to play music.”
I’d been hesitant at first, but when I thought of Marcus and the potential disaster that might happen, I decided one drink wouldn’t hurt. As soon as the liquor seeped into my veins, a warm feeling blanketed me, and suddenly I was buzzing. After the second shot, I hadn’t cared about Marcus or anything. I felt energized, powerful, and brave.
“Sis.” Carter’s voice cut through my reverie. “Are you okay?”
Blinking, I focused on his hard features. “I’m fine. Stop playing Dad. I don’t need you to babysit me. Either go back to sucking face with Brianna or leave.”
He held up his hands, his amber eyes studying me like I was a lab specimen. “It seems you’ve changed drastically since I’ve been away at college.”
He had no idea. Heat crawled up my neck and pinched my cheeks. If he knew what I had been doing a minute or two ago, he would literally shoot Maiken even though I was the hussy, a term my granny liked to use to define fast women who threw themselves at men. Yeah, I got the first-place award for that one tonight.
I giggled, thinking about Maiken’s penis.
Carter arched a brow. “What’s so funny?”
I’d forgotten he was standing a few feet away.
Lifting my chin, I lost my smile. “You,” I lied. “Carter, I’m not a little girl anymore.”I am woman. Hear me roar.“I don’t need a big brother watching out for me.”
Note to self: Maybe I should drink more alcohol.
His lips curled at the edges. “You’re right.”
I cocked my head. “I am?”
