You Never Knew Me (Never 1)

“Hey you’re my girl now or you will be when you see how incredible I am, if he messes with you I’ll be mad and then Roxie will withhold kisses,” says Bella with a huge smile, such a strange girl.

“No, if he messes with you, I’ll castrate the fucker,” comes from Roxie and I see Declan gulp before nodding his agreement.

“I swear no tricks, if these girls like you then you’re good people. They are better judges of character than I am, so I can help. Finley’s mum may mess with the cameras, but I could always get some installed that she won’t be able to control. My dad is in the security business so we can hook you up, and if I hear of anything I’ll be sure to let you know.”

What have I got to lose, so I agree and we actually shake on it and then he quickly pulls his hand away from mine and looks over my shoulder.

“Who is it this time?” I ask, refusing to look, if it’s someone who’s going to ruin my night I’d rather delay the inevitable for a few seconds longer.

No one says anything as they all look behind me and a pair of tanned hands fall onto my shoulders, Diesel Only the Brave consumes my senses and I know who it is, but I don’t understand why he’s here.

“I thought you said you were going to your parents’.” Mm that voice makes me melt. Amias is the epitome of dark from his eyes to his tone, just like the finest dark chocolate.

“No, I said my parents had given their permission to let me home, I never said I was going to accept.” he squeezes my shoulders, I don’t think he likes my answer.

“Hey, I’m Bella, nice to meet you,” she says, doing a little wave, and I look at him as he cocks a brow at her.

“I know who you are, you play the drums in a band don’t you? I’m sure you were playing at the last function this place threw.”

“I do, Roxie is our vocalist and Leah plays guitar though she prefers the bass. You’re Amias right, I’ve seen all of your fights.” her voice is melodious again and I’m floored with jealousy.

Are they flirting? And would he prefer her to me, with her strawberry blonde hair, pale blue eyes and fair skin. She’s petite and probably only stands at five-three and she’s so damn nice and pretty and cute. It’s not fair, she’s welcoming and sunshine and I’m sandpaper, there are no other metaphors better suited for me than that.

“Maybe you can sit with my little cub next time, she hasn’t missed one since we decided to invade her life.” He slides a finger down my neck, and it makes me shiver.

“That is so cute, don’

t you dare give me a cutesy name,” Roxie says to Declan stabbing him in the chest with her finger.

“It’s not cutesy, he calls me that because he says everyone wants to protect me and then I’ll do something to show how ferocious I can be.” He actually smiles at me as I explain it, and I feel all warm inside, damn it none of them were supposed to be here.

I stand up and force him to let go of me, before I excuse myself and hurry off to the bathroom, I just need a few moments alone. The idea of him being with anyone is suffocating, but I can’t make him stay single when I’m not willing to claim him myself. Yet again, I’m just reminding myself of how selfish I am.

I’m leaning over the sink with my head in my hands when the door opens, what’s the point in looking up no one wants eye contact before they go to the loo. Only his scent envelopes me and I want to cry out in frustration.

“Do you want me to leave you alone? I didn’t plan to intrude on you and your new friends I was just surprised to see you here,” he says, and I don’t know how to answer that question.

I turn to face him and for once he doesn’t look dark and like he’s plotting the best way to cause chaos, instead he looks oddly vulnerable. His eyes are soft and he’s breathing slowly, and as I stand here staring at him, I realise I need to trust him with the truth even if I don’t tell him everything.

“Amias,” his name escapes me on a whisper and his arms box me in against the worktop.

“I don’t want you to leave me alone but at the same time I feel like I can’t be around you. I need to get this all out before I chicken out so let me finish okay?” My voice is thick with emotion as I pause for a moment, not only to wait for an answer but to find some much needed courage.

He nods his head and I can’t resist the urge to place my hands on his waist, needing the contact to ground me just for a moment.

His eyes darken but this time it’s with heat and it’s causing my pulse to race, he’s so damn delicious.

“When I’m around you I can’t think straight, I want to grab you and kiss you and not stop. But I bloody like you all, I didn’t want friends but you worked your way in and now I don’t want to lose any of you.” The fear of losing them is working its way into my voice and giving it all away, I feel so naked right now. “I’ve done the whole kissing friends malarkey and it never ends well. It’s just, I’m not cut out for relationships, I’m toxic and everything goes wrong when I’m around. So, when I thought none of you would be here, I thought it would be easy. I could think about what I should, and need, to do regarding you all. There’s three of you Amias, why can’t only one of you like me and vice versa.” I drag my hand through my hair roughly and he seizes it before linking our fingers.

“We’re a lot alike little cub, you’re not the only one who’s toxic or crap at anything that relates to a relationship. We’re in school this doesn’t have to be a big thing, but if choosing between us is what’s making it difficult for you then don’t.” He sounds surprised by his own words but the heat in his eyes tells me not to dismiss him too quickly. “I’m not interested in anyone else and I can’t see that changing anytime soon, so you get the urge to kiss me then do it. It’s just us for two weeks, why don't we enjoy it and then we can decide where to go from there when the holiday is over.”

Can it really be that easy, two weeks away from obsessing and worrying. As long as no one gets hurt, how can it be bad? I release the breath I didn’t even know I was holding before I tug on his waist pulling him flush against me.

He caresses my face with one of his hands, whilst the other falls on my hip and then we’re kissing like we’re never going to stop.

Our tongues are tangling and even as our teeth clash together, we still don’t pull away. My hands are under his shirt and I make my way to his chest.

“Damn, I thought Declan and I would be the hottest couple.”