Chapter 14
1153 Words
Six days later
"That was awesome!"
Renee chuckles hysterically as we walk through the door.
"And you! You..."
She can't seem to stop laughing long enough to speak, causing both Stark
and I to laugh as well.
"I know okay? Don't make fun of me!"
"Yeah," Stark cuts in.
"How was the princess here supposed to know the rollercoaster had
buckles?"
Both friends snicker as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.
"I've never been on one and the bar thing came down so I thought I didn't
need a buckle! I don't even see it!"
"What I want to know is why they hire a checker to see everyone's buckled if
they don't actually check the buckles... You could've been hurt!"
I sigh at Stark's usual concern.
"She wasn't though! Thanks to mua!"
This is when the arguing begins.
"No, I saved her!"
"No you didn't!"
"I put the buckle on her as we started moving!"
"I pointed out to you that she didn't have her buckle on!"
It takes another fifteen minutes to convince them they both saved my life
today.
Once the issue is resolved, we make plans for Friday and Renee heads to her
nightshift at the skating bar.
Not a good combination if you ask me. I can't even skate sober.
Stark and I now stand in the kitchen trying to find something to make.
"What about pasta?" He asks.
"Eh. I can't make that either."
He looks dumfounded at the revelation. Closing the cookbook slowly, he takes
a few steps towards me.
"You can't make pasta?"
I shake my head a bit embarrassed.
"My mom does all the cooking and since there's so many of us it's easier for
her to have an empty kitchen while she cooks, which means no lessons for
me."
"In that case... Put an apron on. I'm going to teach you how to make shrimp
and spinach pasta," he says with a determined look in his eyes.
"There's no apron," I point out.
"It was a figure of speech."
Forty-five minutes later, beautifully decorated dishes line the kitchen island.
"I'm baisically a professional now," I say flipping my hair over my shoulder for
emphasis.
Stark doesn't say a word, but rather looks to his shirt that lays on the counter.
He's bare chested now due to me accidentally dropping half the pot of water
on him.
At least it wasn't boiling yet.
"I said BAISICALLY."
My friend agrees probably just to make me feel better and we sit at the table
to eat.
"Oh my God this is amazing," he groans.
"Turns out accidentally knocking that oil in the pot made it better than usual."
Swallowing my food, I reply,
"See? Professional."
He smiles before turning serious. Putting his fork down, he catches my
attention with his solemn stare.
"The championship...it's tonight."
I nod and scoop more pasta on my fork.
"Great. It'll be weird seeing my ex get battered in the ring, but I know you can
beat him."
Stark shakes his head almost hesitently.
"No. I don't... You shouldn't be there for this. I'll make sure he can't ever hurt
you again, but I don't want you to watch that."
I furrow my brow.
"I'm going. I can't stay behind."
"You can and I need you too. There's no way I'm letting you into that place
without me by your side at all times. You'll stay here and I'll call Renee to keep
y-"
"NO!" I cut in hastily.
My brain listened for less that twenty seconds and it's already conjured up a
plan.
"I'll just sleep so you don't have to call Renee. We're meeting her Friday
remember? Plus I don't know how early her shift starts but she would have to
leave early anyway."
Stark nods at this and looks a bit calmer.
"Thank you. Your safer here you know?"
I nod and let him scoot closer.
He puts his arm around my shoulder lightly and places a kiss on my
forehead.
I can tell he's thinking about what Archer did to me. The tell tale sign would be
the ticking of his jaw mixed with a pained expression. Not to mention the
touchy feely actions, but those have been much more common for him lately.
Why has he been acting like this?
I'm ready to ask, moving my head up to look at his face that towers over me
even while we sit.
I never do get the chance to ask though.
Words escape me when my friend moves his face a breath away from mine.
I look at him uncertainly, only to find he has the complete opposite look upon
his face.
In the moment, it seems like he couldn't be more certain.
With relaxed posture, he brings his lips down to brush upon mine.
I freeze upon contact and he pulls away a bit, ready to apologize.
Coming to my senses late, I lean forward this time.
He meets me half way and locks his hand around my nape at the same time
we lock our lips.
The feel of his lips on mine is... Well... addictive.
I bring my hand to his stubbled jaw and he pulls me closer until I'm nearly out
of my chair.
He begins prodding with a new need that has him lifting my entire body to
straddle him on the chair.
Every rational thought I have flies out the window and I open my mouth for his
wandering tongue.
Whimpers escape my mouth as he strokes his tongue along mine while
squeezing my bottom.
We continue this for at least an hour, both unwilling to stop.
It's only when Starks phone dings that I finally pull away.
Instead of moving, I lay on his chest and he rubs my back with one hand,
checking his phone with the other.
Yet again, his stare turns cold and he looks at me with determination.
"I have to go. The fights start in half an hour."
He stands, bringing me with him to my room. Placing me gently on the bed, he
kisses me reassuringly.
"I'll be back soon."
With one more kiss, he out the door and headed to avenge me.
When the front door closes, I stay in my spot pondering the decision I already
made.
But that was before...
He will be angry. I said I wouldn't come, but it's been my intention the whole
time.
Kissing Stark only makes this more complicated, but I need to see for myself.
I want to watch Archer pay.
Stark always says he's not like Archer and if it's true, he'll forgive me for
defying him.
Jumping off the bed, I head to my closet and put on an outfit that reflects the
attitude I wish I was feeling.
Time to watch my friend that I just kissed beat the living crap out of my ex.
This will be interesting.
- Writer
