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  “You should stay” he said with a grin.

  “Is that an order?” I retorted teasingly.

  “No, Just a request” he stated looking away. Guess he didn’t like the direction the conversation was going. Perhaps he didn’t want me to think of him as my “Master”. Before I could pounder that thought to long Bill and Tanya entered the room causing Quinn to turn on heel towards the kitchen.

  “Well Lana, we have to get back home, but we have had a great time with you” Tanya said.

  “I hope I get to see you again maybe for Christmas or something?”

  “Maybe” she said smiling at me. She really was beautiful.

  “Remember no cheating on tests” Bill said hugging me.

  “I know, I know” I said with a giggle. Bill and Tanya seemed to get me, and I loved it. I watched them leave with a heavy heart until I felt my dad come over and hug me.

  “You did well last night Lana” he said in my ear. I knew it might be a long trip home for what I was getting from his thoughts. He wanted to talk about a choices in undergarments, guess I was in trouble for that one. We said our good-byes as we stood next to the truck outside. Dad shook Quinn’s hand while giving him a pat on the back. I hugged Derek and told him I would call him sometime. When Quinn came up to me, I wasn’t sure if I should hug him or shake his hand, so I just stood there confused waiting for him to make the first move.

  “Well congratulations” I said with a smile as I extended my hand deciding standing on the safer bet. Wrapping his enormous hand around mine he pulled me into the wall he called a chest, I could smell his aftershave, and feel his hard muscle through his t-shirt. He wrapped his large arms around my waist, I feel into the hypnotic teal eyes like a moth to a flame. My heart began to beat faster, I started feeling the warmth from his touch I could feel his heat through my clothes as it soaked up into my pours. Nothing else exsisted but the two of us, in slow motion we met in the middle. His soft lips brushed mine once, twice. His tongue swept by on the next pass, causing my mouth to part slowly. My whole body felt like it was on fire from his teasing. Out of patience, I grabbed the back of his neck, to hold him still for the kiss I really wanted.

  I was a concerned that my innocence and inexperience would be discovered, but he didn’t seem concerned as our duel began. Large arms squeezed me closer as I placed both hands around his neck attempting to devour him. I was getting the feeling from him that he wanted to see me naked again and very soon with the door locked.

  Coming up for air felt dizzy, my legs were like jelly. It was a good thing that Quinn was there still holding me though we were both panting from the excitement.

  “I’ve wanted to do that since the first time I saw you” he confessed with a grin. I couldn’t speak. I tried to form words but nothing came out.

  “I’ll see you again soon babe.” he said and kissed my cheek like he didn’t just rock my world then released me. I ended up nearly falling backwards into the truck. Realizing that yes I was still outside, and yes everyone was staring . The only face I was concerned with was the one that was throwing me death glares, guess dad and I would be talking about more than my undergarments.

  As Quinn walked into the house with his head held high I fumbled to get my truck door open. When my dad opened his and frantically began fanning the interior as if an obnoxious odor had permeated the cab I began to worry.

  “My god Lana, you reek “he said still fanning. I looked through the truck window at my male cousins; they all had balled their fists up and were watching every move I made.

  “Um Dad, can we go now?” I urged as I kept my eye on the males. Dad followed my line of sight and saw them moving toward the truck with purely lustful eyes.

  “QUINN ! ! ! ” He yelled. He came running out of the house then skidded to halt.

  “STOP!” Quinn ordered the men, they all froze. Quinn took a deep sniff of air.

  “GET HER OUT OF HERE NOW MIKE ! ! ! ! ” With quick efficiency dad peeled out of the drive way leaving my uncles in a trail of dust.

  Once we reached the freeway I calmed down and let out a sigh of relief.

  “Lana you shouldn’t have kissed Quinn” I had been shielding my Dad’s thoughts so I wouldn’t have to hear about the matter.

  “Quinn likes you a little too much.” he mumbled. He continued.

  “And you like him a little too much also” his tone a little more uneasy than before but amused.

  “Well, it’s not like I have had any experience with this Dad; but for a first kiss it was ok, I guess.” I stated smiling.

  “A lot more than ok, you need to be more careful with the lusting thoughts.” he said looking at me

  “Well it doesn’t matter now since I won’t be seeing him again.”

  “No, I guess you won’t now that he is pride master he will be very busy”. My chest began to ache at the thought, rubbing away the bizzare feeling I looked out the window and watched the trees pass as we made our way home.

  Chapter 5

  I was so happy to be back to my own room, away from the forest and weird hormones. I went straight to bed after all the unpacking was done and I slept like I hadn’t in years. Dad was already at work when I awoke the next morning. Since it was Tuesday, I got dressed and went to school like any other normal day. Amber didn’t know that I was back yet so when I saw her walking to school by herself I ran up behind her and hugged her so tight I thought she might break. When she let out a painful squeak I released her, completely forgetting that yes she very well could break.

  “Wow Lana! You been working out” she commented as she rubbed her arms where my fingers probably left bruises.

  “A little bit.” I said sheepishly.

  “You changed your hair too. You look great” she was still looking at me in disbelief. I had forgotten about the change in my appearance. I looked more mature now, more like a woman than a little girl.

  “Oh yeah” I said looking in other direction a little embarrassed I had forgotten such a serious thing. Amber wasn’t the only one who thought I had changed, everyone I passed started looking at me like I was a new kid, I even caught Brad’s attention. He stared at me so long that he almost ran into a column that held up the walkway roof. I giggled as I watched.

  “Whoa!” she said, “Brad just looked at you. Like really looked at you, I’m so excited” She began jumping up and down like a school girl.

  “Actually, he really isn’t that cute” I said looking at Amber, I got to watch her mouth fall open.

  “Compared to whom?” Amber stated, recovering quickly.

  “Quinn has Brad beat in the looks department” Amber roller her eyes.

  “I just can’t picture any guy looking hotter than Brad” she said finally.

  I giggled because I knew how wrong she was. Amber wanted to know more about Quinn and since I couldn’t tell her everything, I settled for telling her about the kiss placating her. She got even more excited at that.

  I ended up shielding out everyone’s thoughts because there were to many to process. The drawback was I was having issues concentrating on work, I ended up failing a pop-quiz in biology.

  I was so mad when I got the results from the test that I hit the table I was sitting at. It split right down the middle. I was sent to the principal’s office for destruction of school property. They had to call my dad to come in to the school, I waited in the lobby holding my head in my hands when my dad he came walking in. He looked at me angrily shaking his head without breaking stride, continued past my spot in the lobby to the principle’s door.

  The end result was that he would have to pay for the damages. I had never been in trouble before so it was decided that I wouldn’t be suspended, but I was given a stern warning to control my temper in the future.

  “We will talk more about this when I get home tonight” dad warned me a
s he left the school property. I hung my head the rest of the day at the appending doom I was sure to face when I got home.

  During lunch I sat on the grass in my usual meeting spot and ate my sandwich. I waited for Amber to join me, but it was Brad who showed up first.

  “Hey Lana” he said with a smile. I was shocked he even knew my name.

  “Um… . hey Brad, what’s up?” I asked trying to keep my voice calm.

  “My friends and I are going to a party Friday and I was wondering if you would like to come?” he asked. I felt my face redden.

  “Um… I don’t know, I kind of got into some trouble today, and I will have to ask my Dad” I said looking at the ground as to not look into his beautiful eyes.

  “I would really like it if you would go” Brad said taking my hand. I resisted the urge to probe his thoughts. When he touched my hand I felt a little tingle throughout my entire body. I quickly let go of his hand and stood up. He was tall but not as tall as Quinn. Why was I thinking about Quinn at this moment? I knew then answer but avoided the truth and shook off the feeling.

  “Here’s my number, call me if you can make it, I’ll pick you up” he said

  “Ok” I said taking the paper from him just as Amber started walking toward us. Brad left with one glance over his shoulder as he headed back towards his usual spot. He didn’t even acknowledge my friend as he walked past her.

  “Oh my god” Amber said when I told her what brad wanted.

  “Are you going to go?” she asked as we sat back down.

  “I don’t think my dad will let me” I said grimly. I programmed Brad’s number into my cell and put it back into my backpack. You weren’t allowed to bring your phone with you to school. If you got caught using it, they would take it until the end of the year.

  “Your dad is too strict. He should let you have some fun in your life. After all, your birthdays is next month, so what can he do when your 18?” she said smiling.

  What could he do indeed, the thought actually scared me.

  Once school was over and I got home I went to my room and started to do my homework. It was a lot easier to concentrate now that I didn’t have to shield.

  After finishing I turned on the radio, I knew Dad wouldn’t be home for another hour or so. I turned it up a bit and danced around the house while I made a snack. When I heard my dad’s truck pull in, I turned off the radio and sat on the couch as if I had been watching TV. I forgot to bring up my shields before he so I knew he was trying to figure out how I broke the table at school. He was also was a little mad that Quinn called him to ask if he could come and visit me this weekend.

  I perked up, giving away the fact I was listening to his thoughts, the cat was out of the bag so I just started talking when he came in.

  “I didn’t mean to break the table, Dad. I just got mad because I failed a test. I was trying to concentrate on not cheating” I said looking up at him.

  “Lana, maybe you should think about home school until you get this under control” He stated as he brought both hands up to rub his face a sure sign he was agitated.

  “What? No!” I yelled.

  “Lana people are asking questions about how you cracked a table in half” he said.

  “And… Quinn wants to see you this weekend” I jerked my head up to look at him. I already knew about Quinn, but I was surprised Dad told me.

  “Why?”

  “It doesn’t matter. He is Pride master. He has asked to see you and the only way he can’t, is if you say no.” Apparently he would still respect my wishes. I had some leverage here I realized.

  “Dad, I got invited to go to a party this Friday and I really want to go. If you let me go, I will tell Quinn no and that I am busy. That way I am not lying to him” I said negotiating. My dad looked really mad at me bargaining. Eventually he took a deep breath like he was trying to get oxygen all the way to his toes. He was trying to decide which option was worse.

  “Who are you going with?”

  “You know the quarterback, Brad Wilson? He asked me today to go with him, I’ll take Amber with me, I wouldn’t go alone Dad” I said knowing full well he would worried if I went by myself. When he finally said I could go, I jumped off the couch and hugged him.

  “Thank you, thank you, thank you” I said feeling like I was glowing.

  “But Amber has to go with you.” he said prying my off him with a chuckle

  “I will” I yelled as I ran into my room. I immediately called Amber to tell her the news. She screamed the same response in a stream of thank you’s I had. “How did you talk him into it?”

  I didn’t tell her about my compromise; instead i told her my dad was starting to trust me as an adult. The conversation eased into talking about what to wear. We decided we weren’t going looking to sexy or desperate to fit in. We decided that we would both wear a nice summer dress and platform sandals. After getting off the phone with Amber, I called Brad to accept his invitation. He seemed genuinely happy that I was able to go, at least until I told him about Amber. He seemed reluctant at first, until I told him the conditions with my father

  He dropped the subject and moved on to plans for transportation. He would pick me up at seven and have me home by nine. Short party I thought to myself after I hung up.

  Dad was calling me to dinner as the doorbell rang, signaling that the pizza he had ordered had arrived.

  I was still chewing my first mouthful when Dad decided to be chatty.

  “You need to call Quinn and tell him you don’t want to see him”. I almost choked on my food as we ate. I didn’t really want to relay that message to Quinn but I knew since it was my choice and not my dad’s, I had to be the one to make that call. I excused myself from the table and dialed Quinn’s number holding my breath and hoping he wouldn’t answer. No such luck.

  “Hello” Quinn said answering the phone on the first ring.

  “Hey it’s Lana” I said and bit taken aback by his fast answering.

  “Oh hey, so your dad told you to call me huh?” I could hear the smile in his voice.

  “Yeah, he told me what you called about but I already have plans this weekend. I’m sorry.” I said holding my head in my hands. I really didn’t want to hurt him and I really did want to see him, but seeing Brad was easier and much more… normal. There was silence at the other end of the line.

  “You don’t want to see me?” he said astonished, yeah well mixed signals would do that.

  “It isn’t that I don’t want to see you Quinn, I just really want to go to this party and since I’ve never gone to one… ” I said

  “A Party” Quinn repeated, interrupting me.

  “Yes”

  “I can go with you” He said forcefully inviting himself. I thought about it for a quick second. Could I really have my cake and eat it too? Wait this would be awkward. And then I thought of Amber… .

  “Or are you going with someone else, would I be intruding?” Quinn said after hearing my hesitation.

  “Um… . Well, I was invited by a guy but I’m not with anyone, and my friend Amber would love to meet you” I said trying to sound sincere and find that loophole.

  “What time are you going?” Quinn asked after a second of contemplation.

  “I’m getting picked up at seven on Friday” I said not believing I was going along with this.

  “Friday. I thought you said you have weekend plans?” Quinn didn’t sound too happy.

  “Um… ” What the hell?. He didn’t own me, I wasn’t his daughter, sister or any other relations for him to talk this way.

  “I will be at your house on Friday” he said, hanging up. I looked at the receiver a second not believing what had just transpired. Dad was right; things would never be normal again that’s for sure. As I slowly went out into the living room pondering what my dad woul
d say about the turn of events.

  “Dad” I said clearing my throat.

  “Yes?” he said in a too calm voice. He was already preparing for damage control.

  “Quinn’s coming over Friday. He kind of invited himself to the party.” I waited, watching my dad through squinted eye lids. Instead he started laughing. Okay… . Not the reaction I was expecting but, I’d take it. Figuring to explain myself further would snap him out of it.

  “He’s going to be Ambers date”. He nearly fell out of his chair he laughed so hard. Finally having enough, I placed my hands on my hips and glared.

  “What?” I had to ask, I didn’t find any humor in Quinn coming here.

  “You are in a pickle.” he said whipping a tear from his eye. I balled my fists up as my temper hit.

  “It’s not funny dad. I didn’t want him going, he seriously invited himself”.

  “Oh I don’t doubt that” he said in passing as he made his way to his room. What the hell was going on? Did my dad just feed me to the wolves? Or in this case Tigers?

  By lunch the next day most of the school knew Brad had asked me to the party. I was getting the “I hate you” look from every girl that passed me.

  Of course to top it all off Brad’s ex-girlfriend Ashley approached me at my “kick it” spot.

  “So you’re the whore Brad’s taking to the party huh?” Charming isn’t she. Did I forget to mention she’s a bitch, of course this was the first time she had even talked to me. Taking deep breaths to control the inner part of me that wanted to rip her throat out, I decided on the verbal attack.

  “I don’t know who you are referring to as a whore, because I only see one here, and I am pretty sure Brad didn’t invite you to the party” Oops. I had slowly brought down my shields unconsciously. I found her deep dark secret all right. She thought of Brad as still hers. Interesting since he had flirted with other girls while they were together, wait why was I doubting Brad? I had to shake my head a little to clear the thought that” Quinn was better”.