Twisted Page 9

  "You're outta luck brothers! You get your choice of the cot, couch or floor. I already called the King," Edwin hollered, laughing at them as he grabbed his bag from my trunk. "If you were a few minutes later, I would have christened it too," he announced, mostly crabbing to himself. He dropped my keys into my hand and dropped a peck on my cheek, before following TJ inside.

  "You coming or what?" Aliah called out, half way up the path to the ladies cabin.

  “Be there in a sec,” I said, appreciating the well-groomed flowering gardens, and the full green bushes.

  The birds chirped as I gazed over the panoramic views and took in the fluffy clouds bouncing in the bright blue sky. It was breathtaking. The trip of the year for sure. After taking in a good breath of fresh air, I happily strolled up the path. I caught Edwin peeking out the window at me and I wiggled my fingers at him, with a super feminine wave. He flashed me a handsome smile and then disappeared behind the whimsical drapes.

  I hurried up the flagstone path, unable to avoid the excitement welling up inside me. I turned the door knob and let myself inside. Aliah was sitting on the sofa, rummaging through her bag. I cheerily planted myself snuggly next to her and reached my arm over her shoulder, as she proceeded to tell me about their drive up to the Southwind. After her long-winded explanation, mostly about Hunter’s bulging biceps, dark eyes and dimpled smile, I quickly changed the subject.

  "So what's the plan for tonight ladies?" I asked, as I released her neck from my playful grip.

  "You’re in a good mood,” Aliah said smirking.

  Maddie plowed into the room, physically demanding our immediate attention. "How do I look?" she asked, as she pranced around in a cute little summer dress like she was a model. "I got it for Hunter."

  "You wasted your money then," Aliah growled.

  "Oh boy. This is going to be a fun weekend," I said smiling. There was no need to fight now, there’d be plenty of time for that later, but it didn’t stop Aliah from scowling at Maddie.

  "I'm thinking maybe we should just settle in tonight; hang out here," I suggested.

  Maddie nodded in agreement. “That’s cool.”

  "I like it. That way I can set Maddie straight," Aliah said.

  "What?" Maddie said, as if she didn't know why Aliah was scowling at her.

  We all three froze momentarily and stood there listening to the menacing silence, until a muffled hoot and holler came from next door.

  Aliah hooked onto my arm and pulled me off the couch. "Hear that?"

  "It sounds like the guys are starting without us," I said, nodding. “Let's go see what they're up to."

  "I'm coming too," Maddie shrieked.

  "Whatever," Aliah called back rudely, walking straight for the door, our arms still linked together.

  "Oh Ally. Can't you two get along for like two seconds?”

  “Not likely.”

  “You're making this harder than it has to be. Why don't you let Hunter decide who he wants? Did you ever think of that?"

  "Hah! That's suggesting Maddison has a shot up against me. Not a chance in hell," Aliah said, cold and confident.

  As we approached the guys' place, I could hardly hear the loud music over their roars of laughter and ridiculous arguments. I skipped passed Aliah and lightly tapped on the door. Surprise. No answer. So I let us right in.

  They didn’t even hear me, but it took two short seconds before they realized that the ladies were in the house. Every one of them froze as I stepped into the roomy oasis. Edwin flashed me a heavenly smile.

  "Carry on," Aliah announced, taking a seat on the floor next to Hunter. "You're hitting the booze already?"

  "Why am I not surprised?" I said, smiling at Edwin. I slipped my butt onto the sofa’s armrest next to him.

  Each of the guys were holding a recently emptied shot glass and it was obvious that the liquor had already started to affect TJ. Hunter wasn't far behind him, sprawled out comfortably on the floor. He piped up first.

  "It wasn't me… peer pressure!" Hunter blurted, grinning from ear to ear.

  All the guys started laughing hysterically. Aliah and I shared a disturbed glance. It was just not that funny.

  "How many have you had?" I asked Edwin, out of pure curiosity.

  "Three, four maybe."

  Looking at the nearly empty bottles of liquor, cluttered on the floor, I found that hard to believe.

  "Five," TJ blurted, throwing Edwin under the bus, then laughed some more with Hunter.

  Just then Maddie tromped in the room unannounced.

  "So it looks like you guys are sleeping alone tonight then," I said, a slight threat in my tone.

  "Uh, oh. Edwin's in trouble!" TJ hooted drunkenly.

  "Why is Edwin in trouble?" Maddie asked foolishly. She still hadn't figured us out yet.

  "I know we won't be sleeping alone," Aliah said to me, to tease the boys.

  "I'm with them tonight!" Hunter hollered, captivated by Aliah's suggestion.

  Aliah laughed. "In your dreams Hunter."

  "Mmm, I hope so," he replied, sending everyone into another fit of laughter.

  Maddie didn't appreciate Hunter giving anyone else his attention and her disappointment was written all over her face. Even worse, I could tell she was secretly plotting against Aliah that very minute. Edwin tilted his shot glass to me, in an attempt to steal my eyes.

  “Want one?” he asked.

  "Oh come on, do it," TJ taunted.

  "Oh... I don't know. It’s probably not a good idea. You know how I get when I do shots," I said.

  Edwin smirked. “Yes. I. Do.”

  "That's funny because you're always double fisting it in my dreams," Hunter slurred, laughing again.

  Another roaring sensation filled the room. Aliah gazed lovingly at Hunter, clearly liking his wild side, while Maddie scowled at them.

  "Why is it that whenever men get drunk they have to act like outrageous horny perverts?" Maddie announced.

  Aliah shrugged her shoulders and gave up the fight. "Fill 'er up!" she shouted, then pulled Hunter's glass from his hand. "Fill hers up too," she told TJ, who was holding the bottle of liquor.

  Edwin held up the shot glass in front of me and TJ filled it to the brim, spilling some on the floor.

  Teasing, "Do you think you could've at least filled it up for me?" I licked the liquid off the side of the glass, still in Edwin’s hand, then ran my tongue over my smiling lips.

  “Oh God! Do that again,” Edwin begged, staring at my mouth.

  Smiling, I took the wet glass from his hand.

  “Cheers!" Aliah shouted, then clinked her glass against mine, spilling even more liquor on the hardwood floor.

  Annoyed, Maddie rushed to soak up the spilled liquor. I shrugged at Edwin, who was giving me his intrigued attention, then tilted my head back to help down the strong liquor. Aliah and I both made funny faces from the taste and all the guys found that to be hilarious.

  "Give me one of those," Maddie demanded. She tossed the damp towel on the floor, slapped her brother and stole his glass from his hand. After downing the shot, she held it out for a refill. TJ wasn't fast enough, so she yanked the bottle away from him and took a huge swig, choking it back. After passing the bottle to me, "Drink up," she said.

  When I was done laughing at her, I had a drink.

  "That's my girl," Edwin said, shoving over to make room for me on the sofa.

  Before long, everyone was laughing like hyenas and acting all crazy. Hunter took another drink from the bottle and handed it back to Aliah. "One more," he insisted.

  She took a big gulp and winked at him. "That one was for you." She sounded so sleazy, but Hunter was definitely not complaining.

  It cracked me right up.

  "You shut up," Aliah hollered at me.

  Edwin wrapped his arm around me and I curled into his chest. Though the drinks slowed, the party went on. After hours of slurs, hollering and fighting, one by one our peeps started to fall to the liquor. Hunter was half
asleep, Maddie and Aliah arguing on either side of him, and TJ was already hugging the toilet bowl.

  Listening to the gagging, tied my stomach in knots. "That's it for me," I said, holding my hand up to the pile of empty bottles.

  "I'm done too," Edwin agreed.

  He took my hand in his and, after dropping a soft kiss on it, slowly laced our fingers together. His gaze was wondrously intoxicating and I was definitely intoxicated. We hadn't exactly notified the others of our blooming romance, but the fact that we'd been attached at the hip the entire night should've tipped them off.

  I gazed up into his blue eyes and ran my hand across his sexy five o'clock shadow. My fingers trailed over his parted soft pink lips. He was looking particularly sexy tonight. Edwin closed his eyes, as my fingers brushed through his short, dark hair. Without a care, he pulled me into his lap and kissed me without regard to the others. His soft, wet lips touched against mine and his warm, sweet tongue swept inside my mouth. He tasted so good, like sweet, juicy black cherries. I didn’t care if anyone noticed. I couldn’t stop now if I wanted to.

  Maddie and Aliah were so intent on fighting over Hunter that they didn't even catch our public display of affection.

  "Mmm. You're delicious,” Edwin whispered, licking his lips. “I could drink you right up."

  He lifted me up, so I could spread my legs over him and kiss him more deeply. His hands cupped my rear and pulled me onto his growing erection. I whimpered in response, an equally fast growing need aching in my belly.

  When Edwin released my tempted lips from his spell, he brushed my hair from my face. "What do you say we go for a walk?"

  I'd say he read my mind. I nodded at him and he offered me his sweater. I slipped it on, then took his hand again, to head for the door. A dizzy spell overcame me when I took to my feet, but Edwin was there to keep me standing. Aliah and Maddie were having a full blown bitch-fest and though Hunter was the main topic of conversation, he looked like he had passed out from boredom.

  "We're going for a walk,” I said. “Don't wait up for me."

  Edwin grabbed his jacket and pulled open the door without waiting for a response. While he was high on my list of things to do, the fresh air reminded me just how stumbling drunk I was. I pulled his sweater over my nose. It smelled of fresh fabric softener, rich cologne and Edwin.

  “Mmm,” I moaned.

  “You need to quit with those sounds or I’m gonna take you right here.” Edwin scooped up my arm and pulled me away from the cabin.

  A silly giggle sounded from my mouth, before I could catch my breath. “So what else have you got planned for this weekend?" I asked.

  "I have no idea. You?”

  “Honestly? I'm always planning and fitting everything into a tight schedule. It's just too stressful,” I admitted. “I think I'm gonna just go with the flow for a change and see what happens."

  Edwin's curved eyebrow shot up intrigued. "I like it," he said, beaming.

  I couldn't tell if it was the liquor enhancing our attraction or if our old feelings were falling back into place, but I couldn't remove the smile that was plastered on my face. We continued down the manicured path, until a couple nearly bumped into us as they passed in the darkness, clearly caught up in each other.

  "He's getting laid for sure," Edwin whispered.

  I peered over my shoulder and watched the couple. They were holding hands, but not too close. It was obvious to me that it was a new relationship. "I don't think so," I wagered.

  Edwin casually stopped us, so he could see whether the guy sealed the deal. "If I win, we do what I want tonight. You win, it's up to you."

  "Deal," I answered, then peeked over my shoulder to watch the couple hovering near the front door of the cabin. I glanced back just in time to see that their kiss goodnight was becoming rather heated. The guy even went so far as to pull his shirt off on the front porch and the girl had her hands all over him.

  Edwin had to look at me to confirm I was seeing it to. “Ahh,” he said, nudging me.

  Stunned, my jaw dropped and I nodded. "Dammit!" I said, a little too loud.

  The couple stopped and turned to see what we were doing, both having heard me.

  "Shit. It looks like he's gonna come over here," I whispered, looking up at Edwin anxiously.

  "I'll put a stop to that." Edwin laced his hands in my hair and pulled my lips inches away from his.

  My heart started to race and my breath caught in my throat, even though I knew he was only acting. "What are you doing?" I breathed on his lips.

  Edwin smiled his killer smile. "Just go with it."

  Looking forward to it, I bit my lower lip, and he wasted no time finding my mouth. His lips sealed over mine and his tongue gently explored my mouth. I tilted my head even farther, making an unbreakable seal between us. I nearly forgot about the couple as Edwin made me drunk with passion.

  "Look," he whispered, his lips hovering over mine.

  Squinting out of the corner of my eye, I watched the girl yank the guy inside her cabin by his belt. I gulped, collecting my bearings. "I was not expecting that."

  A slanted smile curved on Edwin’s lips. "A deal’s a deal. Now you have to do whatever I want,” he said. “Hmm, let me think about what that’s gonna be.” He walked away, taunting me, as he pondered a suitable reward.

  "Let me guess. Now I have to satisfy your every sexual desire," I said, rolling my eyes, though not totally against the idea.

  He smiled his sexy smile, flashing all of his beaming, white teeth, clearly amused with my idea. "Is that punishment to you?”

  "No. Not really." By the time my smile touched my lips, I found myself tucked back in Edwin’s warm arms.

  "You could tie me up and have your way with me," he teased.

  I looped my arms around his waist and we walked down the trail together. "It's always about sex with you."

  "It doesn't have to be about sex. I mean, unless you're cool with that," he said, his face totally serious.

  "Edwin!"

  He smiled again. "No really, I'm kidding. Abs, you know I love you. I can't help it if I enjoy making love to you."

  My heart melted as we approached a decision. The path spilt into two ahead of us and we both came to a stop to consider our options.

  Edwin glanced off in the distance thoughtfully, then he kissed me swiftly on the corner of my mouth. "I have an idea."

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  ~

  I GULPED IN ANTICIPATION. "Okay, what is it Eddie?"

  "Do you remember seeing the groomed trail out behind your cabin?" he asked.

  "Yeah, why?"

  "Walk back that way and I'll meet up with you in a couple of minutes."

  "Are you sure this is a good idea?" I slurred incoherently. I was scared of being alone in the dark on a good night, but now my senses were shot from my unrestrained drinking.

  "Come on Abs, you're with me. You know I won't let anything happen to you. That is if you're up for it."

  I sighed, without answering, since I didn't know what I was getting myself into. How could I possibly know if I was up for it?

  Edwin took my hand in his and led me off the trail, into the spooky, dark woods. He pointed off in the distance, where I could see a few lights shining at what I supposed led to the rear of our cabins.

  "You'll be fine," he said, noticing my concern. He kissed me long and slow. "I'll meet you there in a few, I swear," he promised. He kissed my cheek and nudged me off.

  Though it was difficult to see anything through the thick of the trees and ground cover, I tried to set off in the direction Edwin had pointed me to. The branches snapped beneath my feet and insects crawled through the undergrowth, as I hiked deeper into the dark freaky forest. When Edwin's rustling was out of my ear shot, an eerie feeling overcame me. My heart was already beating heavy in my ears and my quick, shallow breaths were becoming deafening.

  Cutting through the thick brush, the light in the distance faded into oblivion. Unfamiliar sounds broadcas
t from every bush and tree. My eyes darted back and forth, but they couldn't adjust to the blackness, the only light being that from the sliver of a moon in the black night sky. My nerves were starting to get the best of me.

  Seconds crept by as I continued bush whacking, my own sounds in the wilderness startling me still. A shrill whine sounded from my throat, as I pressed on into the darkness. An overwhelming loneliness began to suffocate me. I never should have agreed to tromp through this unchartered territory solo.

  As lonely as I felt, I was not alone. Someone was following me. I stopped and listened carefully, then glared over my shoulder in the direction of the sounds. The rustling stopped and there was nothing or no one there.

  "Edwin? Is that you?" I asked softly. If he was playing tricks, it was so not funny.

  I crept ahead shakily and the rustling resumed. Determined to figure it out, I stopped again. This time my stomach threatened emptying its contents. I waited. Nothing.

  I gulped the thick lump from the back of my throat and took one more step. I could hear whatever it was approaching me quicker now and the sound didn’t stop this time. Terrified and panicked, I started to run, tripping over tree stumps, branches scratching at my face. Fearful cries escaped my mouth with every shaky breath.

  Where’s the damn trail? It has to be here somewhere.Faster. I have to move faster.

  The darkness taking me, I tumbled over a fallen log and crashed to my knees in the dirt. On all fours I heaved, my stomach testing my wits, but I managed to gag it back. My eyes flashed up with fear, but the threat didn’t show itself. I could feel the impending attack looming behind me. I fumbled back to my feet and with three long strides, I could finally see the lights peeking out from the cabins. A few more strides and I was on the empty dirt path, but it gave me no security.

  I panted, sick, tired, and fearful for my life, as I jogged for the lights with all I had left. A high pitch scream rang out from behind me. I stopped to cover my ears with both of my hands, but it was no less loud. I would recognize that scream any day. It was my sister.

  The shriek filled my ears and haunted my heart, just as it had since my sixth birthday. With it came every insecurity and doubt, flooding back to life with a vengeance, rattling my brain. Yes, Jennifer Jenkins was my identical twin. But Jenny: she is dead.