--Here's my second piece submitted to this site, and I went a bit more taboo than the last one, by way of blood. And to everyone who reviewed 'Summer Heat', thanks a ton and I'm working on the sequel/second chapter right now, so sit tight.
Jenna adjusted the tight clasp of her scarf around her neck and hitched her shawl higher on her shoulders. The wind was cool and her long sleeveless silver dress was scanty protection against the cold. The ride home had given her a chance to think and as she was making her way to the front door, she was still lost in thought.
'I must be crazy. I mean, I just passed up an opportunity back there. I didn't give myself much of a chance to like him and I never gave Mitch the chance to really get to know me but... Oh what the hell. It still wouldn't have worked.' She kicked a stone along the driveway and nearly fell over her high heels. 'Damn stupid shoes! And damn Max too! If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be in this damned situation. I wouldn't be fucking thinking of him when I should be thinking of my date, wouldn't be having these perverted thoughts. And I wouldn't be fucking swearing either!'
Seething with anger, Jenna took her shoes off and walked barefoot the rest of the way. The house was quiet now. She carefully made her way to her room, making as little noise as possible. She had decided that a bath would definitely be a fitting end to a disastrous night. She couldn't wait to get out of her clothes and step into her warm, scented bath. Hopefully, it would set her spirits high again.
Jenna was so occupied with her thoughts that she didn't notice her brother standing by the window when she opened the door to her room. She dropped her shoes on the foot of the bed carelessly. She slipped the shawl from her shoulders and was about to throw it on the bed along with her purse when she saw him--tall, dark and brooding -- illuminated by the moonlight. She must've jumped a foot. "Jesus, Max, you scared me!" Max didn't say anything. He just stood there, all imposing with his arms crossed over his chest.
"It's about time you got home." He surveyed her from head to toe, noticing the silver dress that clung to every delicious curve of her body. Damn lucky bastard. He got to ogle her the whole night! Max swallowed hard at the image of Jenna before him. Her hair was tamed in an upswept 'do. Her neck was bare of any adornment, seeming to tempt any man for a taste of her skin. He tried to force his thoughts away from that line of thought but he was too swept up by his other feelings to care.
Jenna threw her shawl and purse on the bed and started to go to him. "Uh, yeah. Dinner was longer than I anticipated." She shrugged her delicate shoulders. "You know how time flies when you're having a good time." She froze in her tracks when he saw Max's arms unfold and his nostrils flare in controlled anger.
"So you did have a good time with--what's the name of that little prick--Tommy? Shane? George?" Max's voice was deceptively calm but totally patronizing. "Oh, but I forgot. You didn't tell me his name." He abandoned his position from the window and started towards her. "In fact, you also failed to mention that you were going to be out tonight with some kid that I don't even know."
Jenna had never seen Max like this. She's seen him get angry a lot of times but this was the first time he seemed to get angry with her. And over something like this? A date? She backed away, brow furrowed. She was genuinely confused, and more than a bit scared. She knew Max would never hurt her, but this behavior of his was unfamiliar to her. "Max..."
Max followed her retreat. "What? Do you have nothing to say?" Jenna felt the wall behind her back. She was trapped. Max caged her with his arms, his hands flat beside her head. "Don't tell me he didn't try anything."
Eyes narrowed, adrenaline pumping through her veins, Jenna pushed at his chest. "What business is it of yours if I go out on a date? I don't pry into your love life so don't you dare pry into mine!"
"It is *my* business because I'm your brother- look out for you! It's past your curfew. You didn't even ask my permission---"
Jenna was angry now, her confusion and fear forgotten. "Permission! Why the hell do I have to ask permission from you? I'm 19, Max. I'm an adult! I can go out with whomever I want, whenever I want without asking you or anyone for permission!"