A Court of Rising Starlight

Chapter I

He had always been a pain in the ass. I don't know what changed that night. An unexplained kindness had come over him. He stared at me a little longer than he usually dared. He wasn't himself. Derek Hawking and I had been enemies since freshman year. The moment we met it was about the competition. Who could be a better captain, section leader, student in general.

I stood in his kitchen at the party he was hosting for marching members. Megan, my best friend, had dragged me along since her boyfriend, also a close friend, was friends with Derek. I see him walk into the kitchen and try to depart. He stops me.

"Have things become so horrible between us you can't stand to be in the same room with me?" He grins. "Honestly, Andrews. You need to learn to relax a little. I know Meg forced you to come, but have a little fun."

"I don't have time for fun."

"Right. Because socializing a a party for band nerds is going to ruin your plans for an Ivy League school you've been dreaming to go to your entire life." He slowly approaches me. "Live a little. Maybe even forget we're enemies for a few minutes." He gave me one of his signature smirks again. "Don't make me drag you back out there."

I suddenly realize how close we stood. He was holding me in place against the kitchen island with his own body. I find it incredibly hard to breathe naturally. I had noticed before how attractive he was. In fact, he was probably the most attractive guy in the school. Every girl wanted him and he knew it. And here he stood. Single. Interested in no one.

"Hawking-"

His lips were on mine. To my own shock, I didn't protest. I couldn't. I could vaguely hear the remainder of the small group leave the house. The hookups that were happening tonight were obvious. I let out a soft moan as he bites my lip. He slips his tongue between my now parted lips. It was a battle between us for dominance and his stubbornness outlasted my own.

"God," I groan. "I've never even been kissed."

"A pretty girl like you?"

"Your think I have looks? Yeah, right."

"A few." He kisses me with even more heat. "Upstairs," he demands. All I can do is nod.

I allow him to carry me up the steps and into his room. Just when I think he's going to lay me on the queen sized bed, he pins me against the wall. I once again find myself admiring the feel of his firm chest and washboard abs against me. I try to press closer, but he backs away, keeping the same distance between us.

"Patience, love."

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Derek POV:

Honestly, I was surprised how good it was, sleeping with Acacia. I had lied to her. I told her that she was slightly attractive. What I couldn't say was that she was the most beautiful girl I had ever laid my eyes on. Many had said we could be a strong couple if it weren't for the fact we flat out hated each other.

I slowly untangle my limbs from Acacia's. I stand, quietly sliding into my boxers and jeans. While I bent down to grab my shirt, she must have woke up. "I'm surprised you haven't kicked me out yet."

I shrug. "You looked peaceful. I figured I'd make breakfast, then wake you up to eat."

"Such a gentleman," she grumbles. "But that can wait a minute."

She trails lazy kisses down my spine. I clench my jaw to hold back my reaction. I was stronger than that. Even if... That didn't matter. Not with what I needed to do. Sliding back into her bra and underwear, she comes around to straddle my lap, kissing along my jaw and nipping at the skin of my neck. I grip her waist, crushing my lips to hers. Her nails scrape the back of my neck roughly, earning a low groan. How was I going to explain that?

Obviously I could tell Logan what happened, but everyone else? One, we didn't get along. Two, Andrews was known to be a total goodie. Despite the fact she was gorgeous and half the guys in the school wanted her and hid it, no one made a move.

She seems to melt back into my chest. "You know this doesn't mean anything. On Monday we go right back to being enemies, even if last night wasn't so bad."

I pull away, knowing what will happen if I don't. If I cave. "While I know this doesn't change much, I at least have the decency to offer breakfast before you leave."

"That being?"

I grin. "Get dressed. Just know I've been complicated on my cooking many times."

"Oh? By who? Other girls?"

"If you mean my sister and mother, then yes. If you're suggesting I've slept with other girls, then I'll tell you now, you're the first girl I've even kissed."

"What? No kindergarten dares?"

"I tried to avoid those types of things. Save it for someone who mattered."

"I guess it didn't work out for you."

"In some ways it did." She gives me a bewildered look. "Get dressed."

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Acacia POV:

He hadn't been lying. He knew how to run a kitchen. We sat down and ate the fair amount of pancakes he had prepared. I notice he had forgone his shirt and it was providing a fair distraction. The Mississippi heat hadn't showed any sign of dropping and was already at an alarming temperature. I hadn't bothered with my overshirt for this reason.

I realize he's watching me. "What?"

"For someone who claims to hate me you are mighty shameless."

"Hawking!" I exclaim, blushing twenty shades of red.

"Can there be a day, just one day, that you use my first name."

"I believe I used it plenty last night."

"Fair enough." He smirks. "Like the pancakes?"

"Not as good as mine, but they're not horrible."

"Oh, I forgot. I have to compete with the work of a family of cooks." Everyone knew my parents owned the Bed & Breakfast a few miles from our house. "Maybe next time."

"Doubt it."

His jaw literally drops. "I am offended!"

"Can you bake?"

"Honestly? There's no recipe to what I cook. You're literally eating a bit of flour, a bit of eggs, and a few splashes of milk."

"That's how my dad cooks. No two plates come out the same at the restaurant. Drives my mom and me insane. So I've got baking on you too then."

"Yeah, well, try bragging to anyone and you'll have to explain why you know all this. You're a horrible liar."

"Shut up." I hide my broad smile behind my hair and he shakes his head. "You know, it's a shame we started off so badly. I think if I learned to tolerate your stubbornness we would have been closer."

He smiles. He knew I was trying to egg him on with the stubborn comment. "Maybe."