If Only

Chapter Twenty-One: Chained

I grunted softly against his chest, and when he heard, he gently pushed me away to look at my face.

"How are you feeling now?"

"Awful," I replied without hesitation.

With that response, a sudden realization struck me, momentarily pushing my problems aside.

I pulled away from Jared and headed for my closet to pick out some clothes. Glancing out the window, I noticed that it was getting dark outside. I settled on a long, warm sweater and a pair of jeans.

Jared watched me with curiosity and couldn't resist asking, "What are you doing?"

Instead of answering directly, I decided to tease him a bit.

"Where do you think your friends are right now?"

His curiosity deepened, and he furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Probably at some house party getting wasted. Why do you ask?"

I snapped my fingers at him with a loud click of my tongue and said, "Perfect."

I continued to the closet, threw the chosen clothes on the bed, and began undressing. I was surprised at how little I cared that Jared was there, revealing my birthmark on my stomach.

Jared observed my every move from his spot.

"I don't like what's going on in your head," he suddenly remarked, causing me to pause briefly. But I responded with an innocent smile.

"Of course you do..."

"What exactly are you thinking?"

I pulled the sweater over my head and put it on before answering.

"You... are going to take me to wherever your friends are partying tonight," I emphasized the last two words.

His eyes widened slightly.

"Oh... no, it's a Monday, Jade. I'm sorry, but I can't do that..."

I pouted, trying to plead my case.

"Why does it matter? Your friends can party any day of the week," I argued.

"No, not for you. And wipe that pout off your face; you're not going," he replied firmly, walking toward me. He tugged at the hem of my sweater, attempting to make me change, but I pulled away.

He tried again, but I resisted and even moved away from him. Finally, he ran to catch up to me, grabbing my arm gently, not to hurt me.

I groaned at his persistence.

"Come on, Jared... I've had enough of everything in this house, and you know it. The least you could do to help me feel better is let me go with you... I just..." I trailed off, looking down.

"You just what?" he asked, urging me to continue.

"I just want to escape for a while... just this once," I replied softly. For a few seconds, we both stood in silence, until I heard him sigh.

"But it's a Monday, and your mom will know you're gone."

"I don't care," I responded swiftly. "At this point, I really don't care anymore. My dad basically had me just to increase his wealth, and I'm starting to wonder if he ever cared about me... one night won't hurt his income."

Jared clicked his tongue in disagreement.

"Don't call yourself that."

"Who cares?"

"I do," he said quickly, catching me off guard. His words had a profound effect on me.

"You're not a means to an end..."

I found myself liking this side of Jared and decided to play along.

"But that's what I'm thinking right now... and I think the only thing that could help soothe that feeling is if you take me with you," I said, flashing an innocent smile to entice him further.

He sighed and groaned.

"Okay, fine..."

"Yes!" I exclaimed, jumping up and down and wrapping my arms around his neck to thank him.

I was already dressed, and Jared watched me, his hands in his pockets.

I looked at him and gave a half-smile.

I linked my arm with his, and he guided me to my door. But just before I reached the door so he could climb down the balcony, I added a little something to his thoughts.

"...and maybe we could go to your old house afterward," I suggested with a sly smile, biting my lower lip slightly and hoping he'd understand the message.

With a smirk, he seemed to get it, but he asked, "Why?"

"Maybe we could have a little fun before I go home?" I winked at him. God, I didn't know where I was getting all this newfound confidence.

A cocky grin spread across his face, and he chuckled in a very sexy way.

"Sure, we could," he agreed, giving me a quick peck on the lips before letting me walk through the door.