Wanting Mr. Cane (Cane 1)

"Uh, yeah," she laughed. "He took his sunglasses off. Looks like he's ogling you to death."

I looked back with furrowed brows, and Cane had indeed taken his sunglasses off. His head was tilted now, and he flicked his fingers twice, a silent demand for me to come to him.

"I'll call you later," I told her.

"Please do! I want to know everything!"

She twirled around, meeting up with her boyfriend, Troy, by the flagpole.

Unease swept through me, a bundle of nerves building up in the pit of my stomach. I walked to him, and my heart was slamming down on my ribcage. My mind was screaming a million different thoughts.

Thoughts like: He’s so fucking hot. Why does he have to be so damn hot? I hate him, and his stupid, cocky, sexy face.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, finally meeting up to him. I looked around, meekly tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. Everyone was staring at me. I felt exposed, like everyone knew how I felt about this hot, older man.

"Your dad called and told me your mother had a last-minute meeting and wouldn't be able to pick you up today," he said. "He's on duty, per usual, and since I don't have any meetings for the rest of the day, I told him I would come get you."

"Why?" I asked, apprehensive. “I could have caught the bus to my friend’s house.”

He pushed off the car, grabbing the door handle and pulling the door open. "I wanted to."

I ran my tongue over my dry bottom lip, peering around. People were still watching our exchange. I guess if I saw a handsome man like Cane parked in front of our school with an expensive car, I’d be staring too.

I knew getting into his car was the only thing that would spare me from the gaping and gawking, so I slid my backpack off, handed it to him when he extended a hand for it, and climbed inside. He shut the door behind me right away.

The scent of leather and sandalwood surrounded me, as well as a small trace of tobacco. The car was clean and practically empty, like he hardly spent any time in it. There was nothing in the cup holders but a silver Zippo lighter.

Cane slid behind the wheel after putting my backpack in the trunk and started the engine. It pulled off, smooth and easy, and he drove with his left hand, checking his wrist for the time.

"You have a clock in your dashboard, you know," I said.

He glanced sideways. "Shut it, Bits."

I rolled my eyes, but my heart doubled in speed. It was already starting. The bantering. Teasing. The inside jokes. My own twisted little version of flirting.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"Since I have you, I thought I'd take you to a late lunch before taking you home. I have reservations. You'll like it."

I sighed, twisting in my seat. His brows dipped when he glanced my way again. "Put your damn seatbelt on, Kandy. I’m not about to get my ass handed to me by your parents if something happens."

When he cursed at me, I felt good and bad all the same. He only cursed when we were alone, and it gave me a thrill. Like it was a secret thing only we knew about. Like he considered me older and at his level of maturity.

I clicked my seatbelt into place and then threw my hands in the air. "There. Happy now?"

He smirked, but said nothing.

We were quiet for a few seconds, a song by Elton John pouring out of the speakers, barely discernible.

"I know why you're upset with me," he finally said. "Why you've been treating me like shit the last couple of months."

I looked at him. "I'm not upset with anybody. I only see you when you come to the house. How can I possibly be mad at you?"

"It's because of Kelly," he said, merely ignoring my comment.

My pulse skittered. He stopped at a red light and looked at me. "When I asked if you were jealous of Kelly, I didn't think you really would be, Kandy."

My heart dropped to my stomach. Shit, he knows. "I'm not jealous," I lied, palms clammy now. I snatched my gaze away, fire building in my throat. I had the urge to open the car door and roll out—anything that would spare me from the shame and truths right now.

"You are. You like me. It's obvious by the way you treat me. Cute, honestly. A little crush that I'm sure will pass soon."

I sucked my teeth, fuming at his dismissal. "Is that why you picked me up? So you could rub it in my face while my parents aren't around?"

A grin tugged at the corners of his lips. "No. I'm just being a good friend and feeding you before dropping you off. That's all, Kandy Cane."