Flicker Read Online Free Page B

by how nervous he had made her that she had checked any curiosity. That in and of itself bothered her―she wasn’t about to let anyone push her around, and seemingly without any effort at all, this boy had her off balance and fidgety. She consoled herself with the knowledge that she had plenty of time to rectify her lapse in self-control and find out his name. She was quickly coming to understand that she was fascinated by him; just the memory of his powerful hand encircling her fragile wrist, trapping her effortlessly, sent shivers up her spine. What Elise absolutely needed to decide before she saw him again was whether those shivers were from fear or desire―and which was better.
                  If she had a legitimate reason to fear him―and the boy had, at the very end of today's encounter, been decidedly threatening―then she would be better off staying away from him. His size alone would intimidate her if she let it―she had found that out when he loomed over her. But more than that, his manner was dominant enough to make her feel small and helpless. The Good Girl mentality her parents and life experience had instilled in her-- the part of her that knew she should go to college and have a career, wait for the right boy, and get married in a white dress-- recoiled from that sensation. There was also the matter of... but she didn't let herself dwell on the deeper terror, the one that had been forced into her and now lay coiled around her heart. There was no need to think of that...
                  However, Elise’s nature, deep in her bones, let her know that the goose bumps rising on her skin were from fear, yes, but also anticipation and pleasure. She'd shied away from any hormonal impulses for years, refusing even to allow herself to fantasize much-- not about people she saw regularly, the way she had when she was younger and still innocent. But if the heat that flushed through her body as she thought of this new boy was any indication, she wasn't going to be able to abstain forever.
                  Elise turned off the shower, stepped out into the steamy bathroom, and wiped fog from the mirror, her heart pounding with reckless rebellion. Turning this way and that as she lifted her heavy hair off her neck, she examined her curves with a slight smile playing across her lips. She had been so meek―the model student, the perfect daughter, always politely distant―for three years. She had done everything possible to avoid trouble, to avoid attracting the wrong sort of attention, to avoid anything she could be blamed for. And it wasn't fair. It wasn't fair that she had to put her desires on ice to keep herself safe. Her parents had always told her that she deserved to move on with her life. This was her senior year, and if living her life happened to involve playing with fire… Elise didn’t let herself relinquish power and control, didn't trust anyone-- not ever. The fact that this boy could get through her defenses so easily made him terrifying, yes, but also very, very interesting. A soft giggle escaped her, and even echoing off the bathroom tiles, it sounded coquettish and charming. Maybe her days of hiding were over.
     
                  The next morning, Elise didn’t bother pretending that she wasn’t dressing with more care than usual. The boy definitely seemed older than a senior in high school, so Elise wanted to look sophisticated. She had too much pride to let anyone think she was chasing him, however, so her appearance had to seem effortless. She rifled through her closet and drawers, trying not to let herself get frustrated. She just had to find the right combination of classy and alluring. Finally, she settled on her typical floor-length skirt and petticoats―the same gray skirt she'd worn to the coffee shop―and high-heeled boots, paired with a lacy, corseting blouse in a bright spring green that brought out the lighter colors in her hazel eyes.