AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Sorry, Tuck, but I just can't stand it when some guys try to touch her like that, especially when she’s been drinking, so her defenses are down and there are so many drunk guys around. I've seen how alcohol turns some men into monsters, and I won't let her deal with that too," I admit.
"It's okay, the girls are taking good care of her, and Izzy seems like a great girl. I'm sure she wouldn't want anyone else anyway," Tucker says, obviously trying to reassure me.
"I hope you're right," I say, looking down at my feet.
"I know I'm right! I just met you two, and I can feel the connection you share a mile away. But you need to keep a lid on your emotions. You can’t just hulk out or turn into a caveman every time someone looks at her,'' Danny says, handing me another soda.
"Does she even know you've been into her since day one?" Tucker questions.
"What?! How?! When?! How do you know?" I stammer in a panic.
Tucker looks at me before shaking his head, like I'm an idiot for even asking. "The story of how she climbed the tree, dude. The way you told it with so much love and admiration. But, most of all, the fact that you didn't take your eyes off her the whole night and couldn't keep your hands from touching her. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out," Tucker says with a smile.
"I guess I'm no genius then because I didn't even realize just how much I loved and needed her until she was gone," I admit sadly. "But I don't intend to make that mistake again."
"Good thing you got a second chance, then, bro." He pats me on the back. "Enough of the sentimental bullshit before people start thinking we're secretly in love with each other, though, yeah," Tucker adds in his most exaggerated, masculine voice. "Let's go get our women," he continues.
***
ISABELLA
The boys come over and start dancing with us. Nate has his arms wrapped tightly around me from behind as I move and sway my hips to the music, rubbing my butt ever so slightly against his crotch. Normally, I wouldn't be this bold and brave, but somehow it feels right. His fingers tighten on my hips, and I feel him start to get hard against my ass as I dance. So I decide to turn around, not wanting to lead him on and make him think this is going further than I know I'm ready for. Ava is grinding against Tucker's leg while kissing him. I see her whisper something in his ear, and then she starts pressing her ass against him. Judging by the cheesy look on his face, he's enjoying it a little too much. Harper, on the other hand, has left us to play beer pong with a new guy, someone she's apparently been crushing on from school. We continue to dance, swaying along to the music, while our men hold us tight. It's a good thing, too, because considering how many cocktails we've both had and the fact that I feel like the room is spinning a little, I don't think I could stand up on my own. Thankfully, Nathaniel has me pinned tightly against his chest as his hands rest dangerously close to my ass.
"You're just so fucking beautiful right now," Nate whispers in my ear before placing a soft kiss onto my neck. There’s a tingle that vibrates through my entire body at his touch.
"I'm a terrible dancer, and these girls are so much sexier," I reply, sounding tipsy. I point to a group of girls I don't even know, performing their sexy dances for a group of drooling guys.
"Nah, those girls are a dime a dozen." He says this as his hand slides up and grips the nape of my neck, using his thumb to tilt my chin. "You're one in a million, you’re Bella…my Bella. The only girl in the world who my eyes care to see," Nate purrs, barely taking his eyes off me.
"Yeah, but look at them and then look at me," I say, sounding much more insecure than I'd like.
"Trust me, Bella, I AM looking at you and no one else but you." He looks at me with such intensity that I can't tear my eyes away. These girls may have nice faces or good dance moves, they may even choose to show off to idiots who watch them," Nate continues. I look down, feeling sad, self-conscious, and embarrassed. But Nate lifts my chin again, so I'm looking directly into his beautiful blue eyes. "But you, my sweet, have something they'll never have. You have a good heart. You're kind, beautiful inside and out, and natural. You don't have to pretend to be anyone but yourself, because you're fucking perfect just the way you are. And more importantly, you have ME. And as long as there is air in my lungs, I'll do everything in my power to make sure you don't need anyone else."
Tears come to my eyes as I look into his eyes and realize he's different from any guy I’ve met before. The ones who will say or do things just to get into a girl's pants. Nate is different, Nate is real, and Nate is telling the truth. I was never really into chasing boys like a lot of girls at my old school were. Sure, I could recognize and appreciate the cute boys who occasionally tried to approach me. I even went on group dates with a few. But none of them seemed interesting or mattered to me, and certainly none of them looked at me the way Nate is looking at me right now. Maybe that's because, deep down, I always knew my heart belonged to him. The boy who stole it many moons ago and never gave it back. As I look up and into those beautiful blue eyes, I can't resist. I put my arms around his neck and kiss him as passionately as I can.
I feel Nate spin me around and push me up against a wall without ever breaking our kiss. Encased in his arms, I allow myself to melt as his hands find their way into my hair and our kiss intensifies. Wordlessly, saying all the things we desperately wish to say.
I hear hooting and cheering and open my eyes to see Tucker, Ava, and a few other faces all grinning at us. I look down at my feet to hide my embarrassment at being caught. That's when I notice my muddy shoes from the carnival and suddenly remember that I was supposed to call my grandparents to come pick me up when I was done.
"Shit, Pops. I never texted him to tell him I was staying out; he must be so worried!" I yell, rummaging for my phone.
"It's okay, Bella. You texted them hours ago."
"I did? When?"Shit, I can't even remember texting them? What the heck did I say?
"When we were sitting around earlier, you told them you were staying out, then asked me to hold your phone when you went dancing. Guess you don’t remember?" Nate smirks
"Well, did they reply?" I ask, panicking.What if they’re sitting waiting for me or think I've gone missing because I haven't replied?
"Yes, they asked what you were doing and when you would be home. I think you told them you were out with the girls," says Nate, taking my phone out of his pocket and handing it back to me.
"Oh, thank God," I reply, putting my phone back in my bag.
"It's fine. You looked like you were having so much fun. I don't want you to put the phone down and lose it somewhere."
"No, you're right; I AM having fun. I'm so grateful I have you taking care of me." I kiss him gratefully on the cheek.
"I’ll always take care of you, Bella, you should know that by now," Nate says with a cheeky wink.
