Chapter 10 Ten

Sierra's POV

I tried to act strong. I was fine, wasn't I? But then he just had to be here, alone. Doing what?

I had no idea why he was trying. Was this his way of doing this? Did this make him feel better? Trying to give me hope. Did he, by chance, see through me to know how much I liked him?

Like a nonsensical high school crush that should never happen. It should not happen. I should not even be here talking to him or listening to him, but each word that left his mouth seemed like it was well-thought-out.

His words made me feel hope. Hope that I should not have and it made my throat dry. I came into the kitchen to kill my dehydration and to get away from him, but here I was wrapped up in his arms with his eyes boring into me like he was trying to read me.

I didn't have the time to think about my no makeup look and my horrible face. I didn't have any makeup on to hide my "defects". I didn't know what he truly thought, but I could see the questions in his eyes.

I should step away. Fuck, I should have left a long time ago, yet I was right here. The way he touched me sent need into my pulse. I knew he wanted to kiss me. I wanted to, but I tried talking myself out of this. He was a playboy.

This was his game. This was his territory. He knew how to make a girl go down on her knees with his words. Yet, even with this knowledge, I didn't move, and I let his lips come on mine. Every thought and every uncertainty flew out the window and I found myself wrapping my hand around his neck, parting my lips to give him access.

He teased my tongue, licking the sides of my lips like it was the most delicious candy he had ever tasted. He lifted my leg, keeping it at an angle as his hands teased my thighs. He lifted me off the ground and I wrapped my legs around his waist, leaning on to him like my life depended on it.

He placed me down on the counter, and his hands only went down my thigh. He broke the kiss, trying to get some air into our lungs. His eyes remained on me like I was the most fascinating thing he had ever seen. He caressed my swollen lip with his thumb gently. "Would you believe me if I said that was the best kiss I've ever gotten?" he said.

He pulled me closer to the edge of the counter, his lips devouring my chest. He pulled my sleeves down to have a better view of my chest. I was soaking wet, and could only bite my lip, stopping myself from moaning out loud.

Here I was in my parents' kitchen, making out with my brother's best friend. Was it right? It felt like it wasn't, but I could not stop myself from wanting him right here and right now. I needed his hands all over my body. He let my hair fall from the bun. "You look beautiful with your hair down," he said, before kissing me once more.

He broke the kiss and held my face. "Sierra, you-"

The door opened and Jackson's gaze immediately landed on both of us. It didn't take a genius to know what had happened or was happening between both us. His face curled up in anger as his gaze moved from me to Arthur.

"Arthur, I need to speak to you," he said with gritted teeth.

He was restraining himself from saying what he wanted. Arthur gave me a warm smile before walking out of the room with Jackson. Only then did I see how messed up I looked. My clothes were almost not completely covering me up and my cheeks were flushed.

I drove my hands into my hair, trying to straighten it out before straightening my dress. I went back to my bathroom. I turned on the tap and stared at my reflection in the mirror. This was me, and he kissed me. I looked terrible, yet he complimented me.

"It doesn't change what he is,"

That little voice in my head just had to take a moment to shine. It was my little insecurities dancing in my head every time I thought of doing something different or letting loose or... falling for a biker. I should not fall for him.

I should not have let him do all he did to me, yet the thought of it still made me soaked and needy for him. He was a playboy. What if it was just a means to pass the time?

"That's all you are good for,"

Vance's voice echoed in my head. I clamped my ear shut with my eyes. I didn't want to go back to those thoughts. I was in Willow Creek with my family. Everything was fine. I helped myself out of the bathroom and sat on the bed, feeling exhausted, and the door burst open.

"What the fuck, Sierra?!" Jackson yelled, blaring with anger.

He had his fists folded like he was minutes away from throwing it at someone. I rose. "Did you fight with Arthur?" I asked, shocked and upset.

"So you care about him now?" he asked in disbelief.

"Shouldn't I? You beat him up for no reason!" I yelled.

"He should be glad I didn't hit him, or I would have made him bleed out on the porch for touching you!" Jackson replied.

"I am not a child. I can fend for myself. I don't need you all over my business. I can be with whomever I choose," I said, slowly getting angry.

"Is that who you choose, Sierra? A playboy, a guy who would not care about you and would fuck any lady out there? That's who you choose?" Jackson asked in disbelief.

"That is none of your concern!" I barked.

I don't need anyone babying me or acting as though I were a child. I knew what I wanted, and I was a full-grown adult with a fucking child. Why would he question my decision? Or whatever I did that did not affect him in any way whatsoever.

"It is! I am your fucking brother, and it is clear you have a horrible taste in men. And you are too dumb to realize that! They will fucking keep using you. First, Vance and now..."

Like a switch, my heart dropped at his words. The floodgates opened, and my eyes became blurry with my tears. I could not hold them back if I wanted to. I stumbled back, my hands shaking. It felt like the world was spinning, and I was placed in the middle to take it all.

"He was right."

"I told you."

"Dumb."

I could not stop those thoughts. Those mocking thoughts that haunted me even during the day. I didn't want to feel this way, but I did. It felt like a sword went through my already broken heart and I stood there watching it happen.

I tried to blink back the tears, and I saw the realization hit Jackson. The anger he held earlier dissipated and regret set in, but it was too late. He had already broken the little resolve I had. I didn't know what to say, and I kept replaying his words over and over again, much to my discomfort.

And worse, it came from my very own brother. "Rea, I didn't mean to," Jackson said, his tone calm and apologetic as he approached me.

He didn't mean it. But it hurt me. It hurt me more than anything. "Rea," he called softly as he stretched his hand to hold me, but the actions next, not only shocked Jackson but myself.