Igniting Her

Chapter Fourteen

I slept like a rock after my shower, but something about napping always throws my brain for a loop. I am dazed, my brain barely able to comprehend what time it was, causing me to overlook my needs to eat and ingest coffee before leaving for class. At this point, I am lucky I remembered my damn books. Severely under caffeinated, and with a stomach that is trying to incapacitate me with cramps, I pull into Ruby's full parking lot, struggling to find an open space.

The door chimes as I walk inside, and I find Mable checking out a line of customers. Plopping down at the only empty table by the door, I wait, hoping her chatty personality doesn’t make it an eternity. My addled brain has me staring off at nothing. Its sole focus is the need for food and coffee. I am sure I look like someone coming off heavy anesthesia, vacant stare, and drool included.

At this moment I swear I am never napping again because the little rest does nothing to help me function and I am STILL fucking tired. With a deep groan I let my head flop to the table with a loud bang. Fuck, that hurt. I rub my head completely amazed at my own stupidity.

“Beating yourself, won’t make food or coffee appear Tally,” I hear Andrew snicker, before chairs are being pulled out across from me with the clatter of plates.

Energy what the hell is that? With lack luster delivery, I flip my middle finger up, not even lifting my face from the table. A soft feminine gasp has me lifting my head to see Rachel looking aghast at my communication style while Andrew chuckles and shakes his head at me.

“Natalia, that is so unladylike and uncalled for,” Rachel tuts, before taking a bite of her burger.

I eye up the fries piled on her plate, “Mr. Obvious over here completely asked for it and honestly I have never claimed to be a lady,” I grin and then proceed to procure a crispy looking fry, popping it in my mouth.

Both my friends have plates piled high with delectable fries and damn I want some. Andrew must read my intentions because he pulls his plate close. “Back off scavenger, “ he jokingly growls.

I lock eyes with Rachel, and her brown orbs betray a softening resolve, before she is pushing her plate towards me with a sigh, “Fine, take some,” she finishes before going back to her burger.

Rachel hasn’t been my friend for as long as Andrew or Ginger, but when she moved to Eastwick in my final year of high school, she became my sweetest friend. She can be a people pleaser and a bit naïve to people’s true intentions. I have seen people take her kindness as a weakness, taking advantage of her and expecting her to bend over backwards for them. It pisses me off when I see it because she is just so damn sweet and doesn’t deserve to be treated like that.

“Rachel, you are my hero,” I grin. Clearing my throat, I project my voice to the crowded diner, “Will you marry me and be my hetero life mate?”

Rachel chokes on the food in her mouth as her doe brown eyes bulge looking around to see if anyone was listening to what I said. She never knows how to take my jokes worrying too much about what other people will think. Years of bullying have luckily granted me a strong “Don’t give a fuck” attitude as a coping mechanism, so I am immune to most people’s scrutiny.

Andrew snorts, “Wow she stays at my house for days and I get flipped off. You share some fries and get a proposal. I am starting to feel like your gratitude is biased and disproportionate Tally.”

I bat my eyes at Rachel, “What can I say? She is just nicer to look at than your boring old mug.” I stick my tongue out at Andrew and continue to stuff Rachel’s fries into my ravenous mouth.

Noticing her absence, I ask, “Where is Ginger?” Andrew gives an insouciant shrug, while Rachel's eyes dart around apprehensively, obviously avoiding the subject. I refuse to let her dodge the question and lock my eyes on her, “I haven’t seen or heard from her since Saturday. What about you, Rachel? Have you talked to Ginger?”

Deep in my gut I know Ginger has talked to Rachel and the way she is avoiding eye contact, I would say Ginger did not exactly sing my praises. “Yeah, she called me Monday and we had lunch yesterday,” she answered feigning indifference, but I know she is just trying to avoid the conversation.

I could be generous and leave it at that, but that just would not be me. “And how is Ginger?”

“She was okay, I guess,” Rachel hesitantly answers, avoiding my eyes.

Keeping a secret or hiding things, any form of deception really, is not one of Rachel’s skills. “Did I happen to come up in conversation?” I hate putting Rachel on the spot, I know it makes her uncomfortable, but I need to know how pissy Ginger really is; it has to be pretty bad considering she hasn’t spoken to me in days.

Rachel fidgets and I can see the internal struggle of trying to be a good friend to Ginger and me at the same time. “Well, she did bring you up,” she finally confirms.

Mable appears at the table, interrupting, “Hey sweet pea, what can I get you?”

“Hey Mable, could you get me a sausage breakfast sandwich and a large coffee to go?”

“Coming right up hon. Should only be a few minutes.” I skeptically look around the bustling diner and give her an arched brow, questioning if she was sure about that. “Don’t give me that look,” she chides, “have some faith in old Flo and I. I may be retiring next week but I still got it.”

I cant help but chuckle at the stubborn woman “Alright, my bad,” I concede. Mable gives me a challenging glare before strolling off to the kitchen to place my order.

Being tired, I don’t have the energy to dance around the conversation anymore, so pointing with a fry, I turn my attention to my quiet friend, “Okay Rachel, spill it. How pissed off at me is Ginger, really? And what exactly was my transgression?” I huff before stuffing a couple more fries in my mouth.

Rachel opens her mouth to respond, before closing it again and really thinking about her response. “She seemed pretty upset with you, because Lucas and his brother left with you on Saturday,” she carefully answers.

Raising a skeptical brow, I can’t help my face speaking for me, showing clearly that is the stupidest thing I had heard in a while. “How exactly is it my fault they were not interested in her?”

Andrew gives a snorting laugh, “Unbelievable, seriously she is mad at Natalia because they chose to take her home?” Rachel hesitantly nods her head. Andrew gives a loud barking laugh, “Wow talk about over inflated ego. Ginger needs to get over herself and realize those guys are not the only ones who would pick Natalia over her. Not every dude wants her.”

Rachel’s eyes go big, “It’s not like she said she was better than Natalia. She just felt like Natalia was being greedy. Ginger really liked Lucas and it hurt to see Natalia get him and his brother.” Being the sweet loyal friend she is, it is no surprise she is defending Ginger. It doesn’t matter that she has thrown Rachel under the bus more than once.

I roll my eyes in exasperation, “I did nothing, so if she wants to be mad she needs to look to Lucas and Asher.”

“I didn’t say I agreed with her reasoning for being mad at you,” Rachel worriedly justifies.

“I wasn’t accusing you of anything, calm down,” I reassure.

Quiet engulfs the table as I stew over my best friend being angry with me, teetering between guilt and indignation. Ginger knows I haven’t had it easy with Jason, always spewing how I was too good for him. When two decent guys seem to take interest in me, you would think she would be happy for me. Instead she is stuck on being rejected forgetting how tons of guys fawn over her wherever we go, all the time. I love Ginger as my best friend, for being there when things were hard, but lately she has seemed more self centered than ever. Maybe I should talk with her and see what is going on to make her act so petty.

Mable comes strolling over a proud grin lifting her worn face. “Done in ten minutes,” she declares triumphantly. “Flo was extra motivated when I told her you doubted us getting your order done quickly,” she finishes putting a paper bag and to-go cup on the table.

“I didn’t doubt you ladies, it is just busy as all hell in here,” I defend. “Should I look out for spit in my food?” I half joke.

Mable gives me a playful glare as I half heartedly scrutinize the bag and cup. “No, we are professionals,” she huffs.

“Just kidding, Mable. Thank you. You and Flo are the best,” I smile grabbing my bag and coffee before standing at the table. “I am heading to the college, see you guys there?”

“Nah, our class got cancelled for tonight,” Andrew answers as he picks at his food. “I am dropping Rachel off and heading home after this.”

“Thanks for the fries Rachel,” and she smiles at me in response, still looking guilty for talking about Ginger, “see you guys around.”

“Are we on for paintball this weekend?” Andrew asks before I can leave.

“I work all weekend, so depends on what time you want to go. Shoot me a text or something tomorrow and we can figure it out.”

Andrew just nods his head in response as he takes a mouthful of his burger. Strolling to the counter Mable is waiting for me, with the debit machine in hand. I use my card and almost as soon as I hit the ‘OK’ button, the machine beeps declining. I may be fairly un-fazable but it is embarrassing to have your card decline, especially on something less than $20.

Mable gives me a concerned look laced with sympathy. “Sorry, forgot about payments coming out,” I chuckle, dismissing the older woman’s worry. I pull out $30 and hand it to her with a smile, “keep the change for you and Flo.” I casually stroll out of the diner, even though I am mortified. Usually I check my account before paying anything just to avoid these situations, but today my brain is just not functioning right.

Once I am in the car I check my account and find it is worse than I thought. I wasn’t just broke, but after my payments I owe the bank $20, which truly means $70 with the insufficient funds charge. “Fuck,” I curse feeling so defeated, only the thought that I get paid tomorrow stops me from full out crying at my pathetic monetary situation. I could sit here and wallow on the fact Richard should be helping pay for things at the house and how unfair my situation is, but after letting a few frustrated tears escape, I force the rest back. “Just going to need another job,” I assure myself, “it will work out in the end; I can do this.”

I switch the stereo to the song “Last Resort”, turning up the volume so loud the windows of my car vibrate from the deep guitar. I let the music drown out the thoughts of my shit situation, and I belt out the lyrics to my empty car. I am sure anyone driving by would think I am crazy, but I don’t care. For now, I am separate from my problems and just emerged in the pounding music, while munching back my food and coffee.

Pulling up to the college reality sinks in and I can’t hold back my groan of displeasure, wishing I could just drive and drown everything out. Avoidance is a great temporary solution for me now, but deep down I know it just means everything piling up for future me to deal with, so I exit the car and make my way into the building.

I have plenty of time to casually meander to my class, which is a nice change. I hate rushing, it makes me anxious and I just can’t deal with that crap on top of everything else. The college can be a little eerie going to evening classes because the halls are so quiet and empty, but right now it’s perfect.

The auditorium has a handful of students filling the seats and chatting, but peopling is not in the cards for me today, so I take a seat in a quiet corner. Closing my eyes, I slouch back in my seat with a heavy sigh, and it is beyond tempting to just let myself fall asleep.

Instead my brain starts running over my class and what I am going to need to do. I know Professor Johnston is going to be setting out our project, but I am still lost on what kind of product I could market. I want it to be something achievable because then I can use it for my Marketing class project as well. I am not particularly crafty, so homemade items is not happening, plus that can be a slim market unless you find a universal item everyone uses. I scrub my face in frustration when not a single idea comes to me. Lack of sleep really does nothing for my creative thinking, argh.

“Good evening, Gattina,” purrs a deep bass voice, causing a layer of goose bumps to coat my arms. My eyes shoot open and there stands Lucas in all his hulking glory, his dark snaking tattoos a stark contrast to the bright handsome smile shining at me.

Lucas’ fitted white t-shirt, does nothing to hide his massive muscles, I swear his biceps are the size of my thunder thighs. His charming smile is deliciously highlighted with a scruff of hair across his jaw, making him ruggedly enticing. I have never been superficial, but Lucas makes me want to sit back and just soak in the pure allure of the his physical appeal.

I am practically lost in those sweet caramel apple eyes and Lucas’ smile widens with mirth. I still have not said anything to him, I have just been staring this entire time; heat creeps up my chest and there is nothing to stop the blush spreading to my face. “Mind if I sit beside you?” he asks pointing to the seat on my left holding my bag.

With the motion my brain wakes from the Lucas haze, “Yeah, sorry, go right ahead,” I babble out as I pull my bag to the other side of me.

I watch as Lucas’ huge frame slides into the seat in one fluid motion. Moving like a poised predator, precise graced power, which has me practically drooling. Before my brain can comprehend what is happening, he cups my cheek gently, his big soft lips meet mine and slowly coaxes them into action. The kiss is sensual, but chaste all at once, causing me to moan into the connection.

Lucas leans back, breaking the kiss, causing an involuntary whine to escape me. With an easy smile, he looks at me like I am an angelic being he is meant to cherish, sliding a stray hair from my face. “It is good to see you too, Natalia,” he smiles before pulling out his notebook and pen. I am practically melting in my chair at the seductive sweetness of this man and I want to curl up in his lap, purring like the kitten he nicknamed me as; took an internet search to figure that one out.

“You too,” I mumble, flustered.

Professor Johnston calls the class to order, causing the chatter to die down. “Alright everyone, now we get to the real work. For your project, you must have a theoretical product and then show the costs of production, pricing, projected sales, advertising cost and hopefully a profit margin.”

Professor Johnston scribbles filling the board with resources for market trends and formulas for calculating costs while I rush to get it all down in my notes. A warm stroke from my knee, moving up my leg has my skin heating and my breath hitching. The simple touch is like an electric current making my skin too tight and shorting out my brain till it can’t comprehend writing anymore.

Lucas looks completely focussed on the professor’s lesson, while his rippling forearm flexes with the moves of his strong hand. Caressing my thigh, he stokes an unfamiliar burning need. I am slouching in my seat, spreading my legs ever so slightly, to grant him more access, without thought, completely focussed on his touch. I am putty under his minstrations, my core begging for his hands to wander further north to the place I am craving him most, but he doesn’t.

I can’t tell whether he is being proper, considering we are in class, or if he is trying to drive me crazy with the lust he must know he is creating. All I can think of is his strong digits stroking my needy nub to a glorious release, and the apex of my thighs weeps with desire for him. It is mind boggling and infuriating how this man can turn me into a wanton woman with such innocent trails of his hand on my leg.

Thoughts of being in class are lost as I move Lucas’ hand to my hot center. There is no way he can’t feel the moisture he coaxed from me through my leggings and I wait with baited breath on what he will do. To my utter relief and surprise Lucas finds my clit through all the layers and begins rubbing slow circles over it. It is a delicious torture, he is so close to giving me what I want but propriety of being in public holds me for pushing for more.

Without shame I find my hips gyrating to feel more of the sweet pleasure he gives. My walls are clenching on air with each lazy stroke of his fingers, I am desperate for a release but doubt I can get it sitting in the half full auditorium. Lucas presses harder on my nub, causing the seam of my pants to rub more and I can’t completely contain the groan in my throat.

Lucas trails his hands away from my core, and I almost whine, till I feel him tauntingly playing with the waist of my pants. I feel his fingers run along the soft flesh of my stomach, and the anticipation chokes the breath from me. I want to feel his meaty fingers on the flesh of my pussy so bad, I dare not move. He pulls his hand away and my eyes fly open: when the fuck did I close them?

Lucas stands in the aisle, his hand extended to me and a mischievous grin revealing his dimples. I whip my head around the auditorium and find everyone collecting their belongings or in the process of vacating the class.

“Come Natalia, class is over, let me walk you to your car,” Lucas smiles, in his deep bass tone and my body becomes a mass of goosebumps.

Stuffing my half finished notes into my bag, I am disorientated with the class being over already, considering I can’t remember half of it. As I stand, my legs feel weak from being tensed for so long, causing me to be unsteady. Lucas pulls me up, his scruff rubbing along my cheek as his warm lips find my ear. Jason used to try turning me on by nibbling me ears and it just revolted me with his hot breath assaulting me, but Lucas is completely different and makes it seductive. His tongue laves as my lobe, sending currents straight to my pussy, and then he tugs firmly on it with his teeth.

“We need to leave now Gattina, unless you want all our classmates to watch me worship your body,” he groans. My face is fire as he pulls away, his smile innocent, and eyes burning with the naughty promise. He brings his hand, the same one that had been teasing me all class, and sucks the fingers between his lips. “Mmm, even through your clothes I can taste your sweetness,” Lucas mutters.

Holy mother of mary, this man has every inch of my body ablaze and my brain a useless mass of mush between my ears. Lucas leads me from the class by my hand and before thoughts can filter through, I find myself in the parking lot approaching my car.

My core aches with need for Lucas and once he makes it to my car, I find myself shoving him against it. Surprise lights Lucas’ face before I am pressing myself to him and pulling his face to mine, with my fingers laced in his dark locks. Feverously my hungry lips attack his, they are soft and full, melding perfectly with mine. Lucas only grants me a moment of control before he is tilting my head and ravaging my lips with a passion I didn’t know a kiss could hold, causing me to moan.

Lucas’ tongue glides along my bottom lip before plundering my mouth, with sensual languid strokes. The apex of my thighs throbs in response, while my own tongue tangles with his desperate for more and I can’t seem to get enough of him. My mind swims,  lungs burning for oxygen as our mouths continue to devour each other and the feel of his hardening cock pressed into my stomach only makes me hungry for more.

Unable to supress my need for air, I nip at Lucas’ lips and pull away gasping for air. Lucas makes himself impossibly small, completely engulfing my body with his, sensually exploring every curve and dip of my body with his hands as his mouth ravishes my neck. I am nothing but a panting mess, every stroke of his hands, lave of his tongue and bite of his teeth making me completely mindless and wanting more.

“Woot, woot, get it on,” a voice echoes into the parking lot accompanied by a whistle, breaking through my lustful fog.

I pull back resting my forehead on Lucas’ trying to calm my erratic heart beat and ragged breathing. “I think we need to take it down a notch considering we are in public,” I heave, despising the need for propriety.

Lucas groans, his meaty hands grasping my waist as though he is struggling to restrain his own need for more. I step back even as my body screams to move closer and keep sinking into desire, hoping the space can clear my mind.

Lucas moves with me, “Gattina,” he rumbles, the word a whisper of seduction from his lips, “if anything I want this to go further. I would rather not let anyone else enjoy your gorgeous orgasm face, but I want you so bad I almost don’t care who sees,” Lucas growls, his eyes dark with promise but I can’t bring myself to hold his stare.

Looking away I focus on my car to gain some composure, “Fuck,” I curse as I see my rear tire completely flat. One more fucking thing on the pile. I escape Lucas hands and inspect the damage. I see a jagged slice in the rubber, causing me to groan.

Lucas rubs my shoulders soothingly seeing my dilema, “Pop your trunk, I will change the tire for you,” finishing with a tender kiss to my cheek. I have never had a man offer to help me with my car, Jason always complained he wasn’t a mechanic and I dealt with things on my own.

“You don’t have to do that, I can manage,” I assured him, moving towards my trunk, reaching to clear off my spare tire.

Lucas halts me, “Natalia, you are a strong independent woman, and I get the sense men in your life have let you down forcing you to be that way, but I am not that kind of man. I want to do it for you, even though you could do it. It would be kind of sexy to watch you change the tire, but you are my woman, so let me help you,” Lucas grins, as he gently brushes his fingers over my cheek.

I can’t bring myself to argue and thoughts of Lucas wanting to take care of me has my stomach full of butterflies, so I unlock my trunk and move to the side. Lucas starts pulling out my jack and spare tire, his biceps bulging with the work. I am pissed thinking about having to buy a new tire, more costs I just can’t afford right now, but Lucas being the prince charming to my damsel in distress helps the sting.

Watching Lucas’ large frame trying to wiggle under my car to secure the jack is comical and pleasing to the eye all at the same time, his muscular frame all the more apparent as it flexes with his movement. Admiring his taut ass, my mind wanders to other ways he could be flexing it, and I am surprised when he comes out with the jack in hand. Lucas moves to the other side of my car and without a word starts putting everything back in the trunk, leaving me confused and a little disappointed.

“Change your mind about changing the tire for me?”

“Do you have another spare I didn’t see?” I shake my head, perplexed. “Guess you are coming with me then,” Lucas smiles while closing up my car and then pointing me to the other side.

“What the fuck,” I groan upon seeing my other tire completely deflated, squished to the ground with a giant gash obvious in the side wall. It was not like I drove through a field of barbed wire, so there is no plausible reason why both rear tires have sidewall damage. The only one explanation has my guts twisting uncomfortably, someone slashed my tires