BEFORE

Chapter 15

JESS

I wanted to kill Jack.

Though I'd settle for maiming. Anything to inflict the same amount of pain he'd just put me through.

Every look, every touch, every word, implied that he liked me. Seriously liked me. As more than the 'friend' spiel he kept giving me. But he continued to push me away. And I knew why.

He had a major hang-up about our differences. To him, I was a good girl, the pristine little virgin he couldn't deflower.

Well screw that. And screw him.

If only I could...

"Hey, Jess." Chantal's heavily made-up face popped up on my laptop screen via Skype. "How's it hanging Down Under?"

"That sounds vaguely obscene," I said, an instant, vivid memory of Jack, naked, popping into my head.

My cousin waggled a finger at the screen. "Some of the hottest guys are in Australia and if you haven't had any action yet, I'll be seriously disappointed."

"You know me, Cuz. Not much to report."

Chantal wrinkled her nose. "That's what I was afraid of." She leaned closer to the screen. "Sweetie, when are you going to pop the cherry?"

I blushed. "Surely we've got more interesting things to talk about than my virginity?"

Chantal's smile faded. "Actually, there's something I want to talk to you about."

My cousin rarely looked serious. She sashayed through life, confident and bold. To see her concerned made me worry.

"What's up?"

She grimaced. "I hate to bring this up on your vacation, but you might like to know I checked with UNLV and that creep has transferred out. Already left the campus."

I sat up straighter. "That's great news."

The thought of not having to face Dave again at college was a huge relief. "Thanks for finding out and telling me."

"So you're not mad at me for poking around?"

"Mad? I'm freaking ecstatic." I blew her a kiss. "You're the best."

"I know." Chantal blew on her fingernails and polished them against her top. "So now that's out of the way, tell me if you've found a boy from OZ."

Not a boy. A man. A rugged, sexy, twenty-year-old, who wanted nothing more from me than friendship. Woop-de-freaking-do.

Chantal's eyes widened, her lash extensions almost touching her brows. "By your silence and that look, you've met someone. Tell all."

I mustered my best innocent expression. "No look here."

"There's a look." Chantal tilted her head to one side, studying me. "It's halfway between smug and excited and fearful. Which means there's a guy involved."

I sighed. Maybe articulating my confusion about Jack might help me deal with it. Because after the fun evening we'd just spent together, combined with the horse ride and bush picnic, I was confused. We clicked but was it one-sided and all in my imagination? Did he flirt like that with everyone and I'd misread it?

"There could be a guy. A guy who's freaking hot," I said in a rush. "Looks like Chris Hemsworth."

Chantal fanned her face and wolf whistled. "And?"

"And I really like him, and I think he likes me, but he keeps saying we can only be friends."

Chantal snorted. "Gay?"

"Uh...no."

"And you know this how?"

I felt the heat creeping into my cheeks. "Because I've seen the merchandise and it was pretty excited by me checking it out."

Chantal's jaw dropped. "You've seen the guy naked and he only wants to be friends? What's with that?"

"You tell me."

I valued Chantal's advice. My cousin knew guys. Could twist them around her little finger without trying. They took one look at her long legs and big boobs and shiny blonde hair and fell at her feet.

"The way I see it, the guy should be jumping your bones if he likes you. It's a perfect scenario. You're a holiday fling. Guys dig that. All the fun without the commitment."

I nodded. "That's what I thought but it's almost like..."

"What?"

At the risk of sounding like an idiot, I said, "It's like he thinks I'm too good for him or something. Like he doesn't want to take advantage of me."

Chantal's brow crinkled in consternation. "You didn't tell him you were a virgin, did you?"

I grimaced. "He kinda guessed."

"Girlfriend, there's your problem right there. You're nuts." Chantal made circular movements at her temple. "Some guys are put off by that, and maybe he spends all day in the outback breaking in horses and doesn't want to break you in."

I laughed. "He's not a horse wrangler."

"Well, it sounded nice in theory." Chantal grinned. "Honestly, Cuz? I have no idea what goes through guys' heads."

"That makes two of us."

"Maybe you should seduce him?"

I wrinkled my nose. "Not my style."

"If you want to get laid by the boy from OZ before you head home, maybe you should consider it." Chantal winked. "Always works for me."

I snorted. "Yeah, that's because you're blonde, have long legs, a great rack and dance at Burlesque Bombshells."

"You can do it, hun. I have full confidence in you." A doorbell sounded in the background and Chantal glanced over her shoulder. "Speaking of which, that's my date now." She blew me a kiss. "Later, gator."

"Have fun." I kissed my fingertips and pressed them to the screen, saddened when the screen faded to black.

I hadn't been homesick once since I'd arrived but chatting with Chantal made me yearn for the time when my life had been uncomplicated. Before Dave. Before Jack.

Though at least I could rest easy in the knowledge I wouldn't have to face that jerk Dave when next semester started. Which only left one male complication in my life.

Jack.

What the hell should I do about Jack?