Her Chosen Mate

Chapter 9 - Bonfire

“So will I be seeing you at the bonfire tonight? The whole team is gonna be there.”

Lucy couldn’t help but roll her eyes as Tina batted her lashes at Derrick.

“Yeah sure, what’d you say Lucy?” asked Derrick, pretending not to notice Tina's delight.

“Yeah Lucy I’d love to see you there,” chimed in Tina, turning to look at her for the first time since Derrick had joined them.

“I have homework,” she replied looking reluctantly from Tina to Derrick.

Derrick shot his sister a pleading look, there was no way he was going to that bonfire without protection against Tina. “Don’t be a spoil sport, one night of homework won’t make you flunk out of high school.”

“That’s how it starts-.”

“Lucy!” Derrick yelled before she could make her point.

“Fine, but only for an hour or two,” she snapped. She stalked angrily down the hall, prompting him to run behind her.

Brea smiled as an irate Lucy hurried past her. She had been rummaging through her locker and couldn't help but overhear the conversation between her and her brother. Brea caught a whiff of the familiar lilac and honey as Lucy hurried past her; she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. She had been working on her self-control and now she welcomed the fragrance. Brea stared at Lucy as she made her hasty retreat, she wasn't keen on attending the bonfire; but if Lucy was going to be there she would make an exception. 

...............

The sun was just setting behind the trees when Derrick pulled his black Chevrolet Camaro up to the lake house where the annual bonfire was being held. The entire football team descended on them and practically pulled him from the car by the time it had come to a halt. He flashed an apologetic look at his sister as he was dragged off in the direction of the house.

Lucy, who had quickly got out behind them made her way toward the house before she completely lost the nerve. She could feel eyes on her and adjusted her dress self-consciously. She briskly followed the sound of the music, hoping she could get lost in the crowd. She made her way through a sliding door and into the backyard where, the majority of their class were already gathered and dancing to music blaring from the speakers. The door had barely closed behind her before Tina pounced on her

"You made it!" she yelled over the constant thrumming of the speakers. “I see they have already found Derrick, I was really hoping we could get some alone time together.”

Apparently the bonfire was a varsity event; the football team had it every year to mark the start of the new season and as Derrick had made the team he was one of their honored guests. They were excited to show off their brand new quarterback to everyone, of course this meant that Lucy was left to her own devices for the majority of the evening.

Lucy smiled, pretending to be interested in whatever it was that Tina was chatting about; but really she was taking inventory of who was already there. She swept her eyes from one end of the crowded yard to the next; her eyes barely passing over the sea of classmates littered by the lake, until suddenly everything stopped. It was like all the air had been sucked out of her lungs. Leaning against a huge pile of wood and staring directly at her was Brea. She stood poised in a baggy leather jacket and tight, black jeans that complemented her slender frame perfectly. Her dark hair hung loosely around her shoulders, causing her to look even more alluring. Brea had locked eyes with her and a strange feeling surged throughout Lucy's entire body. She had no idea what to do; but she knew she needed to get out of there.

“I’ll be right back,” she called back to a stunned Tina as she darted from the backyard.

She felt like she was about to hyperventilate, she barely made it to the side of the house and away from the crowd. Her head was spinning, she hunched over as she tried to regain control of her breathing.  Was she seeing things? The yard was littered with people, maybe Brea wasn't looking at her, maybe there had been someone or something else that caught her attention. The more she thought about it the more ludicrous it sounded that the most popular girl in school was even remotely interested in her.

“I have to say I’ve never had someone run from me before,” came a sultry voice from behind her.

Lucy felt all the blood rush to her face as she straightened and turned to face her companion. 

“W-What are you doing out here?” she asked flustered.

“I came to check on you,” replied Brea seductively.

Lucy had to take a step back from the wave of excitement that hit her. She felt butterflies in her stomach and a sudden heat rushed to her loins. She knew she had feelings for Brea; but she had no idea that she could be on Brea's radar, she was just the new girl and Brea McIntosh was way out of her league.

“Why would you want to check on me?” she asked and instantly regretted it as soon as the question left her lips.

Brea smiled a predatory smile as she took a step closer to her. “Come on Lucy I know you want me. I can smell your arousal.”

Lucy blinked. What did Brea mean she could smell her arousal? She didn’t have time to dwell on the thought, the tension between them was far too much for her to concentrate. This could not be happening, she was definitely dreaming. She had to pinch herself.

Brea looked at her with a glint of amusement in her eyes. “This is real, and I am here so what are we going to do about it?” she asked, stepping even closer. Her face was mere inches from Lucy’s and the warmth of her breath caressed Lucy’s aching lips.

The butterflies resumed their flutter in Lucy’s stomach and she began to feel hot all over, only Brea had ever had this kind of power over her.  Her mind went blank, she had no idea what to say and even if she did she had suddenly lost the ability to speak. She eyed Brea’s lips longingly, wishing she had the guts to close the space between them. Lucy finally opened her mouth to speak; but was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching, she turned quickly to see who it was and just like that Brea was gone.

“Are you ok?” asked Tina, staring at Lucy’s flushed face.

“Y-Yes,” stammered Lucy “I thought I saw something; but it was nothing.”

“Well come on. They’re about to light the bonfire.”

She stared longingly in the direction that Brea had disappeared before reluctantly following Tina’s lead. There was no way she was going to get Brea out of her mind, even Tina’s incessant prattling couldn’t penetrate the thoughts that had become lodged there.

They were already dousing the wood in gas by the time Tina and Lucy rejoined the group. Lucy looked around; but there was no sign of Brea. She inched closer to the fire as she waited impatiently for them to light it, maybe Brea would turn up inconspicuously when the bonfire was lit.

Lucy watched the flames flicker as she sat quietly by the fire. It had been ablaze for hours and everyone else was either dancing nearer to the house or getting food from the gazebo. A few guys had asked her to dance earlier; but she had declined. The person she wanted to dance with was nowhere around. She had not seen Brea since the earlier incident and there was no one she trusted well enough to ask about her whereabouts, so she sat alone by the fire.

“You look like you’re having an awesome time,” said a sarcastic Derrick as he plopped down next to her.

“Is it time to go yet?” she asked, not hiding her irritation at all.

“C’mon sis, lighten up,” he shoved a drink in her hand.

“I’m pretty sure we agreed on two hours and its long past that,” she reminded.

“Lucy-."

“Don’t make me get Tina,” she threatened.

Derrick gave her a look of mock horror. “I’ll meet you at the car.”