0597092001436358459 eveline vine Page 3

  “Thank god that bitch is gone,” Briar laughed, reaching around Fredi to poke Stone in the side, “I can’t believe she dumped you and then expected you to fawn all over her.”

  Stone made a non-committal grunt, but didn’t open his eyes.

  Fredi laughed, “She’s hot when she’s angry though.”

  Briar rolled her eyes. “Let’s put up the tents!” she said, jumping up from her seat enthusiastically.

  Stone opened his eyes at this and made a small cough that I took for laughter. Briar spun in a circle.

  “Where is the tent stuff?” she asked, looking at Alec.

  He grinned and scratched the back of his neck, “We didn’t bring tents Bri.”

  She gaped at him. “But, it’s sandy and it’s the bush and there are animals everywhere!”

  He pulled her into a hug and looked down at her with a soft expression, “I’ll protect you Briar. It’ll be fine.”

  “No it won’t,” she said angrily, turning toward Stone, “GG, why didn’t you bring tents?!”

  It was my turn to gape. I’d never heard anyone dare talk to Stone like that.

  He snorted in amusement, but didn’t answer her.

  “GG!” she whined, reaching out and shaking his long legs by the knees. He continued to ignore her, his face blank, his eyes closing once more.

  What does GG stand for? I wondered. His first name? The initials of his first and middle names? I made a note to ask Candy later.

  The sky had grown dark and the temperature had started to drop. I shivered slightly, my teeth starting to chatter as I rubbed at the goose bumps on my bare arms. I’d better find what clothes Candy brought, I thought, looking around for her, but discovering she must have gone off somewhere to make out with Mason.

  “Are you cold, Evie-baby?” Donny asked me, his hands taking over and rubbing my arms briskly. I noticed he’d already pulled his jacket on.

  Stone’s eyes opened and he looked over at me, still ignoring Briar’s rant. He bent and pulled a large, bulky bomber jacket from the bag by his feet and made his way over to us, sending Donny a message with his eyes.

  “I’ll start the fire,” Donny said as Stone thrust his jacket at me and pulled me over to his log, close to where the firewood was being stacked. The jacket swallowed me, but it was warm and carried a sexy, uniquely male scent. Briar giggled at how silly I looked and I pulled my hair from its ponytail to hide my blush. Stone sat down beside me and I trembled as a fresh wave of nerves washed over me. He frowned at my shiver and pulled a sleeping bag out of its ‘bag’, spreading it over my bare legs.

  The fire roared to life and I wiggled my toes inside my shoes, grateful for the extra heat. I relaxed a little, feeling slightly safer since Stone hadn’t tried to say or do anything else to me. I eagerly accepted the stick of marsh-mellows Alec handed me and stretched forward to push them into the fire. I frowned when the top mellow burnt more than I liked, but Stone reached out and stole it off the end. I looked up at him in surprise and his eyes twinkled a little with what I assumed was amusement. I smiled hesitantly and ducked my head in another blush, slowly sliding the next mellow off the stick and plopping it in my mouth.

  Mmmm, I hummed to myself, closing my eyes and savouring the warm, gooey goodness. When I opened them again, I found Stone staring at me, an intense expression on his face. I swallowed anxiously and tried to think of something to say to break the awkward silence. Failing to find words, I extended the stick of mellows toward him, offering him another. He shook his head slightly and I slowly withdrew it.

  Then, with a smile, I stuck the stick back in the fire and blackened the outside of the remaining two mellows, blowing the flame from them quickly when I pulled it out. I slid both mellows off the stick, making faces when the heat stung my fingertips. A small smile was growing at the corner of Stone’s mouth and I quickly extended my sticky fingers, hoping he’d take it before they burned too badly.

  Thankfully, he leaned forward and pulled them into his mouth, licking my tender fingertips, before moving away. My stomach clenched and my skin tingled from the contact. His eyes held mine as he chewed and I found myself unable to tear away from their, cold, grey depths.

  “Evie!” Candy called out, jogging towards us. My head snapped in her direction and I breathed deep in an attempt to calm down. I frowned at Candy’s dopey grin. She was obviously drunk already. She held out my phone as she drew near.

  “You have a phone call,” she said cheerfully, “It’s Cooper.”

  My eyes widened and I snatched the phone greedily. “Coop?” I breathed into the phone, anxious to hear my big brother’s voice after the stress of exams this week.

  “Evie,” he greeted me warmly, “How were this week’s exams? I’ve had a tough week. I miss you sis.”

  “I miss you too,” I said quietly, moving away from the noise of the group, “And the exams went okay.”

  “Good, good. Candy said you’re at the Finke race. Having fun?” he asked and I could tell by the sound of his voice that he was pleased I was out of the dorms.

  “Yeah,” I admitted after a second, “I think I am.”

  He chuckled and started telling me the latest news on his end as I leant against Mason’s car and stared up at the stars. Eventually he had to go and I reluctantly said goodbye, promising to call him after my exams were over. I wandered back to the group and sat back down next to Stone. He didn’t acknowledge me though and I shivered at the tension in the air, confused as to what had happened while I was gone.

  “Let’s go to bed,” Briar suggested, breaking the silence and moving toward Donny, “Donny, can I share your sleeping bag?” She pulled her best ‘vulnerable woman’ look and leaned into him.

  Donny laughed and opened his mouth to say something, but Stone pushed Briar toward Alec.

  “You can sleep in mine if you’re worried Bri,” Alec said, taking Stone’s hint, “We’ll be warmer that way too.”

  Briar looked disappointed, but smiled up at Alec and nodded. “Thanks Alec,” she said brightly, “You’re a good friend.”

  Nobody but me saw him wince.

  Donny laughed again and grabbed hold of Fredi, “Looks like I’m keeping you warm tonight, Pooh-bear.”

  She pushed away from him in disgust. “In your dreams, Donovan,” she said, then slid a glance in my direction and grinned, “I’m keeping my woman Evie warm.”

  She pulled me into an awkward hug, before pushing me over to a large sleeping bag. I glanced at it with trepidation, unsure if I wanted to be sharing such close quarters with her. She smiled evilly at my face and gave my ass a friendly smack.

  “Relax, sweetie,” she purred, “I only bite when invited.”

  Not nearly reassured, I slid into the bag and she followed in after me, zipping it up when we were both settled. She wiggled closer to me and I shrank away at first, but when the cold desert breeze swept over us, I willingly snuggled closer, letting her spoon me as long as it meant more warmth. I looked up as Stone walked past us, but he didn’t look down at me. I frowned in confusion at his abrupt change in actions, but shrugged it off. I didn’t want to be friends with him. I wanted to avoid people like that; people who liked to get their own way.

  My first boyfriend had been like that; pushing me around, telling me what to do, pressuring me into doing things I didn’t want…like giving up my virginity.

  I held back the tears at the memory, almost wishing it had been rape instead of knowing I’d willingly let him take whatever he wanted. I let him use me until he became bored.

  I looked over at Stone’s broad back, where he lay a few metres away. Stone was worse than Ben. His power over people was infinitely greater...and I was damn easy to control.

  ***

  The race kicked off the next morning and I stood along the sidelines with the rest of our group as they cheered for Jamie. The racers wouldn’t pass us again until the next afternoon, at the end of the race. I didn’t participate in any of the activities going on, no matter how
hard Bri, Candy and Donny tried to make me. I was content just to watch.

  Stone ignored me for the most part. He did give me his aviator glasses though, to protect my eyes from the dust the racers kicked up. I shared a sleeping bag with Briar that night, and Candy, Mason and I left early the next morning, skipping the end of the race because Mason had to go to some sort of meeting. Briar told me to stay and drive back with them, but I didn’t feel comfortable, so I declined.

  As soon as I reached my room, I buried myself back in my books.

  three

  I had planned to spend my second week of exams exactly like my first. Unfortunately, people had other plans for me. It started that Tuesday. I’d been dutifully studying all day and was sitting on my bed, surrounded by books when Candy and Mason stumbled through the door kissing. I squeaked in surprise and Candy pulled away from him to shoot me an apologetic grin.

  “Sorry, Evie,” she said quickly, giggling as Mason continued to nibble at her neck, “Do you think maybe we could use the room for a bit? I’m sure you haven’t eaten yet today. Go down to dinner.”

  I clenched my teeth to keep from glaring at her. “Okay,” I muttered, “I do need to eat I suppose.”

  “Thanks!” Candy said, right before Mason picked her up and tumbled her onto her bed. I hurried out the door.

  ***

  I trudged into the dining hall without enthusiasm, keeping my eyes averted as I gently pushed my way through the dinner crowd. I grabbed a tray from the stack and followed the line past tonight’s dinner selections. I wrinkled my nose at the starchy, filling portions in front of me, not really feeling hungry at all. I shouldered my way out of the line and started back through the tables with my empty tray.

  “Evie!”

  I turned sharply, startled that someone had called my name. Briar raced up to me, her big, green eyes sparkling with excitement and her dimples showing as she smiled wide.

  “Come and sit with us,” she demanded, not giving me time to answer, but pulling me along after her as people moved out of her way.

  “Evie-baby!” Donny greeted me with a wolfish smile as we reached the band’s table, “You sitting with us?”

  Everyone looked over at Stone, as if they were seeking approval. He shrugged slightly, his expression nonchalant as he ate his lasagne without looking at me. Briar seemed to take this as an affirmative response and pushed me down in the chair beside Fredi. I tried to ignore the fact that everyone in the hall was staring at me, wondering why I was sitting with the band. I frowned as I realised I didn’t even know what they were called. I turned to Briar, intent on asking her, but she was complaining loudly about the design project she’d been given for one of next semester’s subjects. Many subjects had informed students of projects early, so that they had the six weeks of holidays to prepare materials and think up ideas.

  Fredi eventually got tired of the whining and turned to me, “Do you have any photography projects for next semester yet?”

  Briar shut her mouth and turned to look at me with interest.

  “Umm,” I started, “Well I have to do a research assignment on a well-known photographer and choose one of their exhibits to analyse.”

  Briar smiled and took a sip of orange juice. “You could do it on my dad,” she suggested, then bounced excitedly in her seat, “Why don’t you come home with me next week? You can interview him in person and look over all of his work!”

  “Er,” I stammered, a little hesitant about going home with someone I just met, “I suppose. I’d have to tell my mother and see if I can get a flight booking.”

  She waved a hand dismissively. “I’ll book you one this afternoon. I still have to book my own.”

  “Oh. Thanks,” I whispered, “Let me know how much it costs.”

  She frowned at me. “Aren’t you a scholarship student? I’ll pay.”

  I opened my mouth to tell her that, just because I couldn’t afford this university, didn’t mean I couldn’t afford a return ticket to Sydney. She stared me down though and I let the subject drop.

  “Who’s your father?” I asked instead, giving her a tentative smile.

  “Billy Brighton,” she said casually, cutting her lasagne into smaller pieces, “Have you heard of him?”

  I gaped at her. I clutched at the table. No fucking way!

  “Billy Brighton,” I whispered in awe, “William Arthur Brighton?”

  She nodded, raising an eyebrow in amusement.

  I was going to spend a week in Billy Brighton’s house…

  “Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God!” I squealed, dancing about in my chair, “He’s my favourite photographer! I can’t believe he is your Dad! Jeez he is so sexy! And his voyeur catalogue…oh hot hot hot! I can’t believe I’m going to meet him. This is so fucking-”

  I froze as I became aware that everyone at the table was staring at me. Oh my gosh. My cheeks burned with my embarrassment. They physically hurt. I was that humiliated.

  “Ummm, sorry. I’m not a freaky stalker or anything,” I whispered. They burst out laughing and Bri gave me a one-armed hug in what I think she meant to be reassurance. I stole a glance at Stone and saw his lip quirk at one corner.

  Kill me, I prayed, shooting my gaze heavenward. Or at least take the attention away from me.

  No such luck though.

  “Sooooo,” Fredi started, wiggling her eyebrows at me, “What’s your boyfriend think of your little crush on Mr. Brighton? He’s not going to be jealous is he?”

  I furrowed my brow in confusion. “What boyfriend?” I asked, looking at first her, then the rest of the curious faces around the table. Everyone but Stone had been waiting for my answer. He was eating his dinner as if totally oblivious to our conversation.

  “You single then?” Donny questioned from across the table, his smile growing little by little.

  I blushed and looked down at my tray. “Yes,” I whispered.

  Fredi giggled and nudged my side. “So who was the guy then? The one who called you this weekend. You looked pretty excited to hear from him.”

  “Cooper?” I asked, giggling nervously at how they had misinterpreted the situation, “Ew. No, I’m not dating him.”

  “He fuck ugly?” Donny asked with a grin, earning a kick from Briar under the table.

  I chuckled. “No…” I murmured, hoping someone would save me and change the subject. I looked away, only to lock eyes with Stone, who was now staring directly at me. I didn’t breathe for several long moments and cursed my airway for closing up every time he looked at me. If this kept up, I’d probably asphyxiate.

  He broke the connection first, his eyes dropping to my empty tray. Pushing to his feet with a scowl, he walked around the table and snatched it as he strode towards the dinner line. I watched, my mouth hanging open, as a girl let him push in front of her, near the front of the line. He loaded my tray with what looked like something from every container and then he stormed back to the table, placing the tray back in front of me. My eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets as I took in the overloaded plate. There was no way I could eat even half of that.

  “Eat,” he growled and I started so badly at the sound of his deep, gruff voice that I nearly fell off my chair.

  When I was a child, my dad would read me bedtime stories every night. My favourites were the ones with a big, bad wolf. I’d giggle and hide under the covers as my daddy did his best to impersonate the scary, gruff villain. I’d thought he’d been pretty good. So good, in fact, that Zane’s attempts to take his place had saddened me with their inadequacy.

  But boy, Daddy had nothing on Stone. The very sound of his voice sent shivers up my spine. It curled my toes, made my heart thump against my ribs, made my mouth dry, as every hair stood on end and vibrated with the hot, deep rubble of his baritone.

  I shook in my seat as I stared at him and his eyes narrowed as if to again order me to eat. Donny took my distraction as opportunity to slide his foot up my leg. I started and jerked backward, looking up at his naughty sm
ile in shock. He winked at me.

  “Eat up, Evie-baby,” he said, leering at me, “I like woman to have a little more meat on them.”

  I blushed and pulled at my clothes nervously as I stared down at my plate.

  I caught Alec pinch Donny and Briar gave me a hug.

  “What Donny means, Evie,” she soothed, “Is that you need to eat a little more if you’re going to be doing all that running I’ve seen you do.”

  Her eyes narrowed and she looked at my bony frame closely. “You don’t have an eating disorder do you? I never see you in here. When do you eat?”

  I fidgeted uneasily. “No, I’m not sick,” I protested, “I just forget to eat sometimes.”