Bad Decisions

Glutton for punishment

Kassie



“I’m not wearing that.”

“What about this one?” Crystal held up a red silk dress that promised a low cut and a hell of a lot of cleavage.

“That’s the kind where you go to a fancy dinner and f***k in the restaurant bathroom, not for a birthday party. Pass.”

She threw it down on the bed in frustration.

“Kassie, why are you so stubborn?!” She countered.

“Because I don’t want a birthday party.”

Although I was usually all for the attention, the last thing I wanted was to celebrate my birthday.

The last time I celebrated my birthday was with my parents and Micah, over twenty years ago on my fifth birthday. It was simplistic and perfect, having the ones that I loved the most gathered around me.

I remember my mom told me to make a wish before I blew out the candles on my cake, but I had nothing to wish for. Honestly, what could I have wished for? I was spoiled rotten by my parents, always getting whatever I wanted, but all I had ever truly wanted was a friend to play with. I had gotten that. I had gotten Micah. It was so much better than I could ever imagine.

And seeing Micah coming out of his protective shell was a dream come true all of itself. He wasn’t flinching around my dad as much anymore, although if he moved too suddenly or snuck up on him, he did so reflexively. And the icy demeanor he had around us at first had thawed significantly. He would laugh and smile with us and would converse more. It had taken months to break through to that stubborn boy. But, as I had liked to remind him daily, I’m more stubborn.

So at the time, I really didn’t have any wishes. I just blew out my candles and smiled at my family. I couldn’t have been happier.

Every year after that, I really had no desire to celebrate my birthday without my parents and Micah never forced me to.

But there I was, turning 26, being forced into a birthday party I didn’t want. The only reason I wasn’t fighting it harder was because I knew there would be free booze. But even that didn’t shake the urge to throw a tantrum and demand it to be called off.

“Kassie!” Crystal broke me out of my daydream.

“What?” I snapped.

“You’re wearing this one,” her voice was full of determination. She didn’t plan on taking no for an answer, but had she met me?

She held up a dress that was fuschia and beaded on the bodice.

I had scrunched my nose in distaste.

“You really are blind, Crys.”

She gasped, offended.

“Oh sh.it. That’s not a cool thing to say to a blind person, is it? Um…I’m…crap.”

She bursted out laughing.

“Did you really think I wasn’t aware of things around me? I can’t see with my eyes, but I assure you I’m far from blind.”

“That…doesn’t make any sense.”

She put the dress back in the closet and strolled over to me. She sat on the bed in front of me and smiled endearingly.

“I am a witch. A powerful one. I can tap into the energy around me and by doing so I can use it to see.”

“I don’t understand how that works.”

“You wouldn’t unless you experienced it. The air…the ground…I connect with them and it helps produce pictures in my mind. And besides, whatever I can’t make out…Heath usually shows me with his mind.”

“Oh, I guess it’s helpful to have a telepath for a husband.”

“Yes, indeed,” she chuckled lightly. “It definitely makes for some interesting forepl—“

“Nope. Don’t go there. Not when it comes to Heath.”

She giggled. “So what about telling me what you and Micah were up to the other night then?”

I didn’t answer. I just picked up a black dress with spaghetti straps and a long slit up the leg. It was form fitting and had a shimmery sheer fabric on top.

“I’ll wear this one.”

“Oh,” she drawled, as she ran a hand over the material. “That one’s pretty.”

I didn’t care, I started slipping out of my clothes in front of her and started to pull on the dress. It wasn’t too tight and was made from stretchy material, so I could step right into it and wiggle it up my body.

She snickered. “It’s beautiful on you. But it does nothing to cover up those hickeys.”

I stared at the reflection in the mirror. The dress was low cut V and flowed nicely down my body, stopping mid thigh . The slit went up my thigh, stopping before it showed too much, but left a promise of more underneath.

And just as Crystal had said, a few hickeys littered my neck, already starting to fade and, for some reason, I smirked. I didn’t know how they remained still after…well, everything the night before.

I flipped my hair back from my shoulders, away from the love bites decorating my skin.

They were going to be showcased tonight and I didn’t give a damn who noticed Micah’s mark on me.

I, for one, couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when he realized his handiwork was still present.

~~

A little more than an hour later, I found myself with a drink in my hand outside enjoying the crisp air.

I had fixed my hair and makeup and had shoved my feet in some strappy high heels at Crystal’s request. It was more like a demand, but I didn’t care. I felt sexy and was relishing it, even if I felt over dressed for the occasion.

I couldn’t remember the last time I dressed up. And it was definitely the first time I did it without having to steal the sh.it.

The party was just beginning as the sun set. It wasn’t anything grand as of yet. Just a simple bonfire with music to dance to. There were scattered people talking in small groups. I got an occasional glance my way and a ‘happy birthday’ muttered as people passed by. At least people weren’t as caught off guard by my presence anymore. But I had to wonder how they would react once Micah came down from the house.

“You look beautiful.”

I looked up as Heath sat down on the bench next to me. He wrapped an arm around me and pressed a quick kiss to my cheek.

“Thanks. I know.”

He chuckled. “As modest as your father.”

I sighed. “Heath?”

I hadn’t seen him since he and Micah had their little spat. He’d been lying low, avoiding further drama with Micah and I was thankful for that. If he poked the angry bear, he would’ve been minced meat by now.

“Yeah?” he stiffened next to me, already sensing what was coming.

“What’s your problem with Micah? Honestly. Why the hell do you not like him?”

“It’s not that I…don’t like him…” he paused. “I know he’s hiding something.”

“I’m aware he’s hiding something, Heath. I’ve known that. He’s always been very secretive about his past. It haunts him. I won’t force him to tell me and you shouldn’t either. Some people want to leave their past buried.”

I might not know what caused Micah to end up on our sidewalk that day, but I knew he was brought into my life for a reason. He needed me, just as I needed him. And if I ever found the fuc.ker that put their hands on him…well, they better be prepared to lose their d***k.

“I just want to make sure nothing bad happens to you…”

“Y’know…if it weren’t for Micah, something bad would’ve happened to me many, many times. He healed me slowly. He understood I went through something awful and was there for me the entire time. Always patient and understanding. He made sure I ate when I was hungry, even if it meant he ate nothing at all. He would give me the clothes off his own body to keep me warm if I needed it. And forget it if someone threatened me. Even as a kid he could be ruthless. I understand he is dangerous and the first instinct is to be scared, but he would never do anything to hurt me. That I’m certain of.”

“I can see that.”

“So why are you being such a d***k?” I deadpanned.

He let out a low rumble of a chuckle from his chest. “So blunt. I can just imagine how pissed off your father would be if I didn’t do everything I could to see to your safety. So please forgive me for coming off like a di.ck.” He leaned in closer. “I can also imagine what he would say seeing those marks on your neck.”

“Job well done?”

He snorted. “Hardly! Definitely would proclaim you forever his little girl and that no man is good enough for you…even the demon child.”

Sh.it…did Crystal tell him something?!

“There was no need to tell, Kassandra. We could hear the whole thing. You’re not exactly quiet.”

I felt my face burn bright red. I’ve said it before, I wasn’t shy, but something about my father’s best friend—the man I considered as my uncle growing up—hearing my shameful night with my best friend wasn’t something I was proud of. I angled my face away from him so he wouldn’t see.

“I thought you weren’t home.”

“We came back early.”

I bit my lip aggressively. I was thankful he didn’t say more.

“Are you blushing?” Micah sat down on the other side of me.

Dammit!

I looked up at him and it didn’t help the heat in my cheeks. He was dressed in a pair of nice black pants and a form-fitting, short-sleeved burgundy button-up. I had never seen him dressed in anything other than his normal clothes and this wasn’t helping my case. He looked…fuc.king hot.

I just want to rip those clothes off and—

Heath stood, breaking my thoughts. “I should go check on Crystal, wherever she may be,” he chuckled.

I knew he had to have heard my thoughts. Again.

“Behave, children,” he gave me a wink and disappeared.

Micah grumbled an insult under his breath.

Before I could yell at him for being an ass, he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and brought me close.

“Happy birthday,” he muttered as he pressed a kiss on my temple. Warm sparks erupted along my skin and butterflies formed in my stomach. How did such a simple gesture feel so good?

Micah and I weren't the touchy and feely type. He hadn’t ever pressed a simple kiss on my skin before today, not even to comfort me.

“I’m assuming you pulled your hair up to show off your neck,” he whispered against my ear.

I wasn’t going to admit it aloud because then it meant something.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Hm. Sure,” he chuckled. “I like it. I should’ve done more. Too bad your bites and scratches have already faded away. I liked seeing them on me.”

“Good. They were a mistake. And not going to happen again,” I said…well, should have said. Instead, what came out was, “Too bad. I guess I’ll have to add more later, then.”

No, I groaned internally. What the hell was wrong with me?!

He chuckled. “Whatever you say, birthday girl.”

I’ve always had a tendency to run my mouth without thinking and now was no exception.

But the truth was…I meant it. I wanted to do it all over again and more, despite the fact that this thing between us was bound to crash and burn.

I had to put a stop to it before then. I couldn’t allow us to do something that would cost us our friendship. It wasn’t worth it.

“Micah—“

“Kassandra, don’t you even dare.”

“You don’t even know what I was going to say,” I said, defensively.

“Yes, I do! Kassie, I know you. I know you’re scared. I…I don’t know what is going on between us, what has changed, but you can’t just push me away because you’re afraid of the unknown.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I’m not scared of the unknown. I’m not scared, period. I know exactly what will happen. We would fool around and, as great as it would be, things would get weird and we’d fall apart. We wouldn’t be able to be friends anymore.”

His eyes darkened and narrowed to slits. “Do you really think I would just let that happen? I’m not going anywhere. Ever. You’re stuck with me.”

“Micah, it was a mistake and you know it.”

“Tell me how it was a mistake!” He exploded. I opened my mouth to explain but he didn’t give me a chance. “Don’t give me some bull.shit answer about our friendship. It's only what a frightened little girl would say.”

“The f***k did you just call me?”

“That’s my point! You’re too fuc.king scared! It wasn’t a mistake! You wanted it and you want to do it again. You want to do much more, Kassandra. Over and over again. Don’t think I’m not aware that that blush was because Heath mentioned what happened. I did that. When has anything with another man ever made you blush?”

Cool, calm, and collected Micah. That’s what he always had been. That’s what he was. But the man that stood up abruptly was anything but that. He was dangerous and fuc.king sexy as hell. I wanted to jump his bones and punch him all at the same time.

“Tell me if this is a mistake, if it doesn’t have your heart pounding.”

“Wha—“

He leaned over me, grabbing a fistful of my hair and smashed his lips against mine. His kiss was bruising and when his tongue met mine, I was gone. I melted against him, enjoying every second. He broke off the kiss suddenly.

“You’re the most stubborn, crazy, hot-headed woman I’ve ever met. That was far from a mistake,” he said breathlessly. He stormed off as I attempted to catch my breath and steady my pulse. My brain was scattered and I couldn’t make sense of anything.

The only thing I knew was that I was always the one who made bad decisions…but I couldn’t tell what was bad from good when it came to him.