Kissing Her(11)

I glance over and see Ragnar staring at me and I wonder if he asked me something and I missed it?

“What?” I ask, and he smirks at me.

“Do you want to go to the mall?” he asks and maybe that’s why I didn't hear the question.

There’s not a world where Ragnar would be in a mall I’d ever go to, but I guess he can't take me back to his place, not with Melina with us. I’m still in shock that we got into the car without my parents pulling me back inside by my hair. They all but pushed me out the front door and I wonder if maybe I’m still asleep and this is all a dream. It’s starting to feel like it until Melina kicks the back of my seat and brings me back to reality.

“Sure!” I chirp way too loudly, and I hear Melina try to fight a laugh. I’m so awkward and my face heats once again.

“Kick her seat again and your ass will be walking.” Ragnar’s words are hard and my eyes widen.

He rubs his thumb over my cheek softly in a silent way of telling me he’s not mad at me. He drops his hand away too soon. I think Melina is in a state of shock because she doesn't respond to what Ragnar said to her. I don’t think anyone has ever talked to her that way before and I’d laugh if she wasn't going to give me hell about it later. It’s sweet Ragnar is standing up for me. I’m not used to it, but I’m sure Melina will find a way to make sure I pay for what Ragnar said. She’s sure to get payback if something doesn't go the way she wants it to.

“The mall it is,” Ragnar says when no one agrees or disagrees with his suggestion.

“Why the mall?” I finally ask. I look down to his hands and I hate that all of him is covered up. I like seeing his tattoos.

“So your sister can get lost and you and I can have some alone time.”

“I can’t leave her alone with you.”

I don’t have to look at Melina to know she’s got her arms folded over her chest and her chin tilted up in challenge. I don’t understand why she keeps on pushing Ragnar, but I’m getting mad about it. Really mad. I never once gave her crap for what she was doing and I also never gave Brandon any and I wanted to more than once. He isn't good enough for her, but I kept my trap shut and let them do what they wanted, even though Melina couldn’t be stopped.

“Five hundred dollars and me not ratting you out to your parents about you sneaking in this morning says otherwise.” I jerk around to look at my sister. How did Ragnar know about that?

“Deal,” she snaps, and though she doesn't sound happy about it, her eyes look excited. I’m sure she’s already spending the money in her head.

“Five hundred dollars?” I gasp, looking back to Ragnar.

“Do you want me to give her more, sweet little Bee?” He glances over at me. “I don’t think she deserves it but—” He shrugs.

“No, that's more than enough,” I say quickly.

How does someone give out five hundred dollars as though it’s nothing? Then I remember his house and realize that maybe that much money is nothing to him.

When we pull up to the mall, Melina is out of the car before we even come to a full stop.

“Is she always this rude to you?”

I let out a small sigh. “She’s just—”

“You don’t have to defend her to me.” Why do I always do that? It's clear she’s never going to do the same for me. “Stay put. I’ll come around,” he says and gets out of the car.

I drop my hand from the car handle because I’m used to doing what I’m told. With Ragnar, though, I get this small flutter of excitement at pleasing him. It spreads through my whole body when he sees I’m doing what he told me and he smiles with pride.

When he gets out he pulls out his wallet in front of Melina. I try to listen to whatever they’re saying, but I can’t hear anything. After he hands over the cash she stomps off toward the mall entrance and I wonder what he said to her. I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough. We haven't started our time together and I’m already dreading going home.

Ragnar comes around and opens my car door and holds out his hand for me to take. “Come on, sweet Bee. I’m going to buy you something new to wear.”

His comment feels like ice water being thrown on me and I try to jerk my hand away from his. He doesn't let me as his grip locks around mine. He pulls me into his body so I’m flush against him and suddenly the ice is replaced with fire.

“I don’t care what you wear, Bee, because I’d just as soon have you naked.” His other hand goes to my waist and I feel his big hand grip me there. “But if you must wear clothes while we’re out, it will be whatever you choose. Not whatever is left over in a bin or handed down from your bitch of a sister.”

He called her a bitch. I should stand up for her, but I smile instead because she really is. It’s nice to hear someone else see her for what she really is and for me to stop making excuses about her horrible behavior.

“You want to watch me shop?” I ask, and I wonder if he wants to see me naked. What will happen if he sees me undress? I’m a little bigger all over than my sister. She’s tall and lean and I’m her opposite in every way. Sometimes people don't believe we’re related and I can’t even deny wondering that myself sometimes.

“I’d watch you do anything, but I’m going to enjoy seeing you try on clothes.”