Goddess Secret Read online

  “Nope.” She tried to sound casual, but she felt her cheeks get hot.

  Adin sighed through smiling lips and kissed her softly.

  After the biggie question was out of the way, they spent the next couple of hours talking about old boyfriends and girlfriends, and the people they’d kissed. It wasn’t an easy conversation, but it was necessary. At least she was the only one doing any of the blushing.

  She realized she talked a big game when she considered breaking down Adin’s sexual defenses, but the truth was she was an inexperienced virgin. And Adin was every girl’s wet fantasy. She got the feeling when Adin did let himself loose on her, she’d be taken in every sense of the word.

  His power and raw hunger were banked, but she got the feeling the tight leash he had on his desires was there for a reason.

  Chapter Five

  The next morning, Legacy noticed the weather was still unseasonably cool. Even though it was September, the weather was usually hot here in the south up until October, and even then it tended to be fairly mild. But she got a chill standing in front of the opened window. The summer heat disappeared as quickly as it had come.

  Over the summer, the weather had gotten hotter and hotter. But now the heat of their relationship didn’t seem to manifest itself into the heat of the temperature outside. It wasn’t like they’d cooled off in the making out department. Their relationship was even more fervent than she could’ve ever anticipated. Legacy needed to be aware of this and try to make sure she understood how her passionate feelings for Adin were now manifesting themselves—if they even were anymore.

  When Legacy got to school, Calli’s car wasn’t there. She took her time getting out of her car and making her way up to the benches where they usually met before school. She read over her chemistry chapter while she waited, but she didn’t have to wait too long before someone joined her.

  “Good morning,” River said, and Legacy looked up.

  He stepped over to her bench and sat down beside her.

  “Morning.” She smiled.

  River chuckled. “Did you not read the chapter last night?” he asked as he glanced at her chemistry book.

  “I read most of it, but I didn’t get it finished.”

  “Too busy shopping for new clothes?”

  “No, Calli and I didn’t spend too much time at the mall.” She looked up at River as she shut her book. “I had company last night.”

  River’s smile faded. “Oh.”

  “Hey, Legacy,” Calli said as she walked toward them, carrying a large box.

  Legacy and River stood up and walked toward her to help, but River quickly took the box from Calli before Legacy could have a chance.

  “What is all this?” he asked as he put the box down on the bench.

  “Spirit sticks, candy, posters, other stuff for the pep rally. If we have anything left, we’ll be throwing it into the stands during the game. Are you coming tonight?” she asked River.

  River glanced at Legacy before answering. “I’m thinking about it.”

  “Well, you should. We’re really proud of our routine.”

  River looked at Calli. “Are you going home before the game? If so, you could just ride back with me.”

  “No, I have way too much to do.”

  River’s eyes slowly made their way to Legacy. “Um, are you coming tonight?”

  “Of course.” She smiled. “I wouldn’t miss Calli performing.”

  “You can ride with me, if you want.” River shrugged like the offer wasn’t a big deal, but she knew better.

  She shook her head. “Adin’s coming.”

  River shrugged again and looked away.

  “Did you talk to Zach?” she asked Calli to change the subject, but quickly regretted asking her in front of River.

  “Yeah, he’s supposed to come tonight.”

  Good. At least Legacy didn’t say something that would’ve required explaining to River. “Do you need help taking this stuff somewhere before class starts?”

  “I need to take it to the field house,” Calli said as she leaned over to pick up the box.

  “I got it,” River said, taking the box. “Just lead the way.”

  They walked to the field house to drop off the pep rally goodies and then headed to chemistry.

  The excitement of the first game made the start of the day go by quickly. Before Legacy knew it, it was time for her Spanish class, and since she had that class with Calli, she was able to talk to her without River being in earshot. Not that he was ever rude about including himself into girlie chit-chat—he was just always beside her.

  “I’m sorry I asked you about Zach in front of River this morning. I was trying to get the conversation off Adin, and Zach was the first thing that popped into my head.”

  “Ah, don’t worry about that. I like River just fine. I don’t care if he knows about Zach.”

  “But that’s your decision to make, not mine.”

  “It doesn’t matter anyway. Zach called, and he’s coming tonight.”

  She glanced at her hands and looked back at Calli. “What did he say?”

  “Nothing out of the ordinary. He misses me. He can’t wait to see me. Things like that.” Calli shrugged.

  She raised her eyebrows. “I hope he sounded more sincere saying those things compared to how you just sounded.”

  “I want to believe him. I’ll just have to see.”

  “Good idea.”

  Calli shrugged. “Enough about Zach. Any news on V.D.?”

  “Nope. I’ll probably do some digging this weekend.”

  “Let me know if you need any help with that.”

  Legacy nodded, but she really didn’t know where to start.

  All their classes were shorter today to allot for the afternoon pep rally. When it was time to show school spirit, she and River sat together, and Ellen and Kate migrated over, too, because their boyfriends were down on the field in their football jerseys. Since this was the first rally of the season, the coaches had to introduce all the players and cheerleaders. They screamed when Calli was introduced, and her BFF skillfully tumbled across the field, sporting her back handspring skills.

  After the rally, everyone disbanded and headed to their cars. River walked Legacy to her car and hugged her good-bye.

  “I’ll see you tonight,” she offered.

  “Sure.” He shrugged, holding her car door open for her. She could tell that he wasn’t happy about her bringing Adin, but at least he wasn’t being verbal about it. She smiled at him as she got in, not letting him get away with this pouty crap. He finally cracked a smile. “I’ll see you tonight,” he agreed.

  On the way home, she thought about River and Venus. She liked River. She enjoyed spending time with him, talking and laughing. She still didn’t feel any romantic feelings for him, which she was very happy about, but as she thought about Venus, she hated the thought of Adin forming even a friendship with her like the one she had with River. She knew these feelings weren’t fair, but she still felt that way.

  Legacy freshened up with a cute outfit after she got home. She heard Adin’s car just as she’d finished getting dressed and quickly glanced at the clock, thinking she was running late. Nope, he was early. She quickly finished touching up her makeup and headed downstairs, but Adin never knocked on her door. She waited a few more minutes, and there was still no Adin. She looked out the window, and his car wasn’t in her driveway. What the hell? She knew the sound of his car just like she knew the sound of his voice. She had definitely heard him pulling in. She was sure. She opened the front door and stepped out, walking into the yard and looking down the street.

  She didn’t have to look far. Adin’s car was parked in front of his grandma’s house. She sighed in relief since she knew she had heard him driving down the road. At least she wasn’t hearing things.

  She turned to walk back up the porch and heard his grandma’s door open. Adin walked out with his grandma at his side, laughing. He saw Legacy, and his face lit
up even more. He motioned for her to come over, and she did.

  “Hi. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I was—”

  “You didn’t, dear,” Adin’s grandmother said.

  “Grandma, you remember Legacy, don’t you?” Adin asked as he stepped over and put his arm around her.

  “Of course. I watched her grow up too.” His grandma tsked.

  “It’s nice to see you again, Ms. Smith.”

  “Oh, please, call me Rose.”

  “Rose.” Legacy nodded. “I don’t think I ever knew your first name.” In fact, through all the years that she’d known Adin’s grandma, Legacy was sure she had never heard it. “But it’s a beautiful name.”

  “And a beautiful flower. It’s my favorite. Poor Dinny, he’s had to hear all my stories about roses over the years.” Legacy looked at Adin, and he was looking down at his grandma with a smile on his face.

  “Grandma, she doesn’t want to hear about that,” Adin muttered.

  “Sure she does,” Rose continued. “I have a substantial rose garden out back. Dinny helps me with them. He’s very handy.” She smiled at Adin, but he was still looking down. “You should see the flowers that it produces. They are simply gorgeous.”

  Adin looked up at Legacy. “She’s seen some of them.”

  What? Then her mouth fell open as understood. Some, if not all of the roses Adin had given her came from his grandma’s garden.

  “Oh, that’s right.” Rose smiled, and Adin gave a short laugh, looking back down. Yep, that pretty much confirmed it.

  “We should probably get going,” Adin said quickly. All this talk about roses was apparently embarrassing him, which Legacy found very adorable, so she smiled.

  “Okay. You two have fun.”

  They turned to walk away, but Rose called out, “Oh, Dinny?” They both turned around and faced her.

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  “Why don’t you invite Legacy over for my birthday party?”

  Adin chuckled and nodded his head. “I was planning on it, Grandma.”

  Rose laughed and walked back into her house. Adin escorted Legacy to the passenger side of his car before getting in himself.

  Okay, she couldn’t keep it in. She was trying not to burst out laughing and frankly, it was freakin’ difficult. “Dinny?” she asked as a giggle escaped. They pulled out of his driveway.

  “Yeah, that’s what my grandma calls me.” He shrugged, but chuckled too.

  “So,” she started, “did all my roses come from your grandma’s garden?”

  “Yes, is that okay?” he asked, glancing at her.

  “I think it’s wonderful,” she murmured. “You had a hand in growing those flowers. That means more to me than you dropping by a florist. It makes them even more special.”

  “Well, you may get some from a florist when they’re out of season.”

  “I guess I understand now why you didn’t want me keeping the dead ones. You apparently have an endless supply next door.”

  “Exactly.” He laughed.

  “And what’s this about your grandma’s birthday?”

  Adin sighed. “She wasn’t supposed to know about that. It was supposed to be a surprise party, but my mom let it slip that we were planning something. I was going to ask you about it this weekend, but she brought it up to tease me about the fact that she already knows.”

  “Oh.” She smiled. “When is it?”

  “It’s in a couple of weeks at her house. Since she loves her garden so much, I figured it’d be a nice way for her to show off her pride and joy, letting all her friends take pleasure in it before all the flowers die. She’s not thrilled about turning sixty-five, so I’m hoping this will ease her concern and allow her to enjoy her birthday.”

  “That’s really thoughtful, Adin,” she whispered as she reached over and put her hand on his knee.

  “I just want her to enjoy her day.” He placed his hand on top of Legacy’s.

  They talked the rest of the way to the football field, and when they got there, Adin escorted her to the bleachers. As soon as they took their seats, he put his hand on her knee, stroking it gently. She shivered slightly, partly because of the chill and partly because he just had that effect on her. Legacy scanned the field until she found Calli. She was stretching her muscles, but waved when she saw them.

  People started filling up the stands as it got closer to time for the game to start. Of course, when Ellen and Kate got here, they came up and sat on the row in front of Legacy and Adin. Zach came alone and sat next to Adin.

  She saw River walk up with his cousin, Paul. He was the same cousin that River brought to the movies the night that he’d met Adin. She guessed River didn’t want to show up alone, knowing she was here with Adin.

  Ellen turned around to face her. “Who’s that with River?”

  “Um, his cousin.”

  “Well, good looks must run in that family,” she commented as she turned back around.

  As River and Paul walked up, they started to pass Legacy and the crew she’d drawn. “You can sit over here, River,” Adin called out.

  Legacy whipped her head around and gaped at Adin. He had a small smile on his face. It was strained, obviously held there by force of will, but at least he was trying to be the bigger man.

  “Umm…okay,” River responded. Zach, Adin, and Legacy scooted down, so River could sit beside her. Paul sat on the other side of River.

  Ellen and Kate watched as they took their seats and then turned back around to watch the start of the game.

  Legacy had noticed the weather being unseasonably cool, but sitting up in these bleachers without trees shielding her from the breezy air, she started to get really cold. She tried to ignore the chill she felt, but then she suddenly realized maybe she was the one making this weather colder—that maybe it had to do with the men she was sandwiched between.

  It wasn’t as if Adin and River were misbehaving, but both of them were being really quiet. When she was alone with either one, conversations flowed naturally, but now that they were all three together, she felt uncomfortable sitting between them, as if her uneasy feelings were causing the colder air around her.

  She didn’t know if she could do anything to change the temperature now, but she should try. She turned to Adin to talk. She figured if she started conversations with the both of them, maybe she’d be distracted enough to stop the chill in the air.

  “H-how’s Greek w-week c-coming?” she asked as her teeth chattered.

  “Are you cold, sweetheart?” Adin asked as he took his hand off her knee and wrapped his arms around her, chafing his hands against her arms.

  “A l-little.”

  “I have a sweater in my car. I’ll be right back.”

  Adin got up and ran down the bleachers while she rubbed her hands on her arms.

  River leaned over to her. “Why are you cold?”

  “I-I don’t k-know.” She shivered hard. “Maybe it has s-something to do w-with the cold t-t-tension in the air.” She wanted to be sarcastic, but her chattering teeth hid her attempt at a clipped tone.

  River looked down the bleachers, saw Adin running back up, and shifted to a more upright position.

  “Here.” Adin handed her the sweatshirt as he took his seat.

  She stood up so she could put the sweatshirt on without accidentally hitting either one of them. As she pulled the thick cotton over her head, a gust of wind caused her to lose her sense of balance. She didn’t understand why. It wasn’t like she was actually moving.

  “Whoa,” she muttered as her arms flailed around, trying to keep her vertical. She didn’t want to go crashing into Ellen and Kate, which was exactly where she was headed.

  She felt two sets of hands grab her, and she yanked the sweatshirt down so that she could see.

  “What happened? Are you okay?” Adin asked as she sat back down.

  “I’m not sure. I just got a touch of vertigo, I guess. But I’m fine.”

  Adin started to slide his hand
s off, but River’s hands were still locked onto her. Adin shot him a look as he let go of Legacy. River grunted and slid his hands off her, too.

  Once she was free, she pulled the sweatshirt all the way down and then leaned into Adin’s side. He put his arms back around her and rubbed his hand along her arm, keeping her warm.

  “Thanks,” she murmured.

  Adin leaned down and kissed her forehead. “You’re freezing.” He held her tighter.

  “I’m s-starting to w-warm up.” She shivered forcefully and relaxed into Adin’s embrace. She sighed as her shivering slowed.

  From the corner of her eye, she saw River stand up. “It’s almost halftime,” he said, looking at her. “I’m going to the concession stand now since it’ll be packed when the quarter’s over. Plus, I don’t want to miss Calli’s routine. Do you want anything?”

  “Yeah, can you get me some hot cocoa?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’m going to get something to drink for Calli, too,” Zach said, standing up.

  “We’ll walk down with you,” Ellen said, and she and Kate stood up. They followed Zach, River, and Paul down the bleachers.

  Adin turned his head so his lips were at her forehead. He kissed her there and continued to rub her arms.

  “I could’ve gotten you some cocoa,” he murmured.

  “No. I didn’t want you to move. You’re already keeping me warm. This,” she paused, squeezing him against her, “is better than cocoa.”

  Adin chuckled, holding her tightly. “I can do other things to warm you up,” he whispered in her ear.

  Her heart galloped, and she felt her blood rushing through her veins. “Mmmmmm …it’s already working.” She slid her hand up his chest and around his neck.

  “I haven’t even done anything yet.” Then he traced his lips from her ear down her cheek.

  “It doesn’t take much for you to warm me up.”

  Adin slid his lips to hers. “I’m glad you’re warming up, but I want to make sure you’re nice and toasty,” he breathed against her lips, and then he kissed her softly.

  “Yummy…that tasted much better than cocoa, too,” she said as he pulled away.