A/N: Thank you for reading my story. English is not my first language so there is bound to be mistakes, so I apologise in advance :)

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To any re-readers: I've made some changes, adding more Jason/Kate scenes but the story line remains the same. Thanks for reading.

2011

❦ Kate ❦

I was standing in front of the mirror when I heard sound of a car pulling over in front of my house. Rushing across my bedroom, I flung open the window and looked out.

The yellow Porsche looked out of place in my run-down street. So did the guy who stepped out of it. With his designer clothing and the flashy ride, it was apparent that Jason Perez did not belong in this part of town.

He glanced up, saw me by the window, and gave me a little wave along with that heart melting smile of his. Excitement knotting in the pit of my stomach, I waved back and held out two fingers, telling him to give me a couple of minutes.

Pulling on a flannel shirt over my tank top, I shoved my feet into my worn-out converse and hurried downstairs. When I let myself out of the house, Jason was leaning against the car, hands pushed deep into the front pockets of his jeans.

"Morning." He flashed me that killer smile when I approached and then bent his head down to give me a kiss. It was quick but toe-curling good. His kisses always were.

"Where are we going?" I asked breathlessly when he finally drew back.

"Breakfast, first. And then you'll see." He gave a playful tug on my hair and held the car door open for me.

He took me to the Perez Resort and Spa in downtown where we had breakfast in a private ocean-front dining area. Being the owner's son, he was treated like royalty and witnessing that reminded me again of how we were from entirely different worlds.

He had moved to San Antonio over a month ago and I still remembered the exact moment I had laid my eyes on him. Remembered feeling as if I was in one of those super cheesy novels where the girl's brain completely stopped functioning when she came face to face with the male character.

And that was exactly what had happened. My brain stopped functioning, totally disconnecting from my legs, leaving me frozen to the spot as my eyes drank him in. Tall and lean with piercing blue eyes and full pink lips that would have looked feminine on another guy, but only made him look all the more sensual.

Then he had smiled at me. A sexy as sin smile enhanced by dimples. And just like that, I had fallen for a guy for the first time in my life, without even knowing his name. I knew it was stupid of me to be infatuated with a guy just because of his physical looks but I couldn't help myself.

When he had asked me out a week ago, I was completely stunned. And even after five dates, I still felt like I was dreaming. And if I was, I never wanted to wake up. Despite being together for only a week, I was already so in to him.

He was unlike any other eighteen-year-old I had ever met. He had an air of maturity about him, a sense of sophistication that seemed to come naturally to him. He wasn't cocky or arrogant but entirely too sweet to me and I felt like he genuinely cared about me.

After breakfast, he took me to his place where we hung out. His parents were out of town so we had the whole place to ourselves.

As we sat in his home theatre watching an action movie, I couldn't help glancing at him every few minutes.

He smirked when he caught me staring for the third time. "If you don't want to watch the movie, we can do something else."

I matched his playful tone. "Something like what?"

His smirk deepened into a dimpled grin. "Something like this." Bending his head down, he pressed his lips to the curve of my neck. I shivered as he trailed kisses up throat and paused at my ear. "And this." He murmured just as his hand slipped under my tank top and drifted up, cupping my breast.

I jolted in his arms, the shock of his intimate touch fading away to be replaced by an intense feeling of excitement. "Jason." I cried out when his thumb and forefinger trapped my nipple, giving it a gentle tug.

He lifted his head, meeting my gaze. "Just this, nothing more. Trust me." He said softly.

He had never pushed me for more than the kisses we had shared so I trusted him not to rush me. "Okay." I whispered.

He pulled me on to his lap and kissed me then. It was different from our previous kisses. More intense. Urgent. His hands moved over my skin, caressing, tormenting, igniting my body with a fire that made me ache. Everything around me faded away and I lost myself in him.

When he suddenly broke the kiss, I was dazed and breathless. I tried to kiss him again but he resisted.

"We have to stop." His voice was strained. He tried to lift me off his lap but I tightened my arms around his neck, which made him grin. "I'm trying to behave here, baby."

I knew I should be happy he stopped before we got carried away. And part of me was, because he had just shown me I could trust his word. But the other part of me wanted more of him. Maybe it was too soon, scratch that, it definitely was too soon. We had only been dating for a week. But he was the only one I wanted, and it felt right.

Grabbing the hem of my tank top, I pulled it over my head.

His fingers tightened on my waist and his gaze darkened. "Are you sure?"

I answered by arching into him and kissing him with the same hunger that I was feeling.

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"Did I hurt you?"

I opened my eyes lazily and smiled. "You didn't. It was perfect. You were perfect." Not that I had anyone to compare him to, but I knew what we had just shared was not ordinary. It felt too amazing. And he was so gentle and sweet, which made me fall for him more.

He rolled on to his back, pulling me against his side. As I breathed in his familiar smell I wondered for the millionth time why he was interested in a girl like me.

"Jason?"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you ask me out?"

I felt him go tense immediately. For a moment, I thought I saw guilt flash in his eyes but he blinked and it was gone. "What do you mean?" He cleared his throat.

"You're the most popular guy in school. You can have anyone you want. So why me?"

"You're smart, funny and beautiful. So why not you?"

His words sent pleasure coursing through me. I was about to ask another question when he stopped me with a kiss.

"Are you hungry?" He asked against my lips. I somehow got the feeling he was changing the subject but I couldn't be sure.

"A bit."

"Let me fix you some lunch then."

I was surprised. "You can cook?"

He smirked and with a quick roll pinned me under him. "I'm a guy of many talents, baby." And before I could say anything he captured my lips in a demanding kiss that stole my breath away.

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When the bell rang signaling the start of lunch break, I hurriedly made my way to my locker. Jason had asked me to meet him in the parking lot so I was in a rush.

"Hey Lewis."

Michael Rider was standing behind me with a couple of guys. They were on the football team with Jason and they always hung around together.

"Um...Hi?"

"How was your weekend?" He smirked suggestively.

"Uh...it was good." I was confused. Why was he suddenly interested in talking to me?

"Heard Perez took real good care of you."

"What?" I wasn't sure I heard him right.

Michael's gaze moved over me in a way that made me uncomfortable. "How about you and me, this weekend? I can show you a better time than him."

"How about no?" I had a sick feeling in my gut. Did Jason tell him that we slept together? I didn't want to believe that.

When I moved to walk past them he grabbed my hand.

I pulled back my hand and glared at him. "Get out of my way."

Michael smirked taking a step closer to me. "So what time should I pick you up?"

"I'd never date someone like you." I spat angrily.

"Who said I want to date you? Perez tells me you are a wild little thing in bed. I just want a night to see how true it is."

I paled at his words. Was he telling the truth? The shock must have shown on my face because he laughed. "Did you think he asked you out because he liked you?"

"What are you talking about?" My voice was shaky and I wiped my suddenly damp palms on my jeans.

"We made a bet. He said he could fuck you within a week."

I felt as if someone was squeezing my heart. A dull pain spread through me but I refused to believe what Michael was saying. "That's not true. You're making that up."

You're smart, funny and beautiful. So why not you?

I clung to his words desperately praying what Michael was telling were lies.

"Oh yeah? Why don't you ask him then?" Michael sneered at me.

I pushed past him and raced out side. Since it was lunchtime a few seniors were hanging out in the parking lot.

I scanned the area and saw Jason sitting on the hood of his Porsche with his best friend Nathaniel Hyde.

Jason grinned when he saw me coming towards me. He jumped off the car and pulled me against him in a tight hug. "You smell so good." He murmured into my hair. Then he was kissing me, his lips warm and soft on mine.

"Do I have to see this every day?" Nathan groaned from behind and Jason pulled back with a laugh.

When he saw my pale face, he turned serious. "What's wrong, baby?"

"I need to ask you something." I said trying to calm my nerves.

"Yeah, what is it?" He cupped my cheek and caressed it with his thumb. His blue eyes were filled with concern and it gave me hope. He wouldn't just use me like that for a stupid bet. He had been so wonderful to me.

"I don't believe any of this. But I have to ask you."

"Ask me what?"

"Did you ask me out because of a bet you made with your friends?"

Jason froze and dropped his hand. My heart sank as I saw the guilty look that came on his face.

"Fuck." He cursed running his hand through his hair. "Who told you that?"

I felt the tears threatening at the back of my eyes. "Is it true?" It was barely a whisper.

"Baby..." He grabbed me by the shoulder and I shook him off.

"Just answer me, Jason. Did you make a bet with them that you could have sex with me in less than a week?" To my ears even that sounded sick.

He reached out to touch me and then dropped his hand. "Yes."

I felt as if someone had punched me hard in the stomach. Even that would have been better considered to how I was feeling at the moment. I swallowed back my tears and pushed past him.

Before I could take a few steps, he grabbed my arm and turned me to face him. "I'm so sorry. Please let me explain." His face was pale.

"I don't want to hear anything. "I stared at him straight in the eye. "Just leave me alone."

I stormed past him and ran to my car. I didn't want to stay at school any longer. I brushed away the tears as I got in the car and pulled out of the parking lot. I had fallen for his charms like a fool. I should have known better.

❦❦❦

❦Jason ❦

"God Dammit." I punched the hood of my car angrily as I saw her drive away. Pain shot through my knuckles and without caring I punched the car again.

"How the fuck did she find out?" I turned to Nathan.

He shrugged running a hand through his hair. "Michael?"

I felt the anger building in me as I saw him come out into the parking lot. When he came near us I grabbed him by the collar and shoved him against my car. "Did you tell Kate?"

I saw the fear that shot in his eyes. "C'mon man, I told her the truth. "

I didn't know what came over me. I punched him square on the face.

"What the fuck..." Michael sputtered as blood started running out of his nose. "You just hit me over a chick?" He glared at me wiping his nose on the sleeve of his shirt.

"What did you tell her?" I asked tightening my hold on him.

"I told her about the bet. C'mon man, I was just having a little fun with her. Why are you suddenly so worried about what she thinks?" He laughed as realization hit. "Don't tell me you like her."

My next blow landed on his mouth. "Stay away from her."

"What's his problem?" I heard him moan as I walked off.

"If you know what's better for you, you'll stay away from Kate." Nathan threatened before he followed me to my car.

"I have to go talk to her." I said to Nathan trying to control my anger. I wanted to beat the crap out of Michael but I was more furious with myself.

I gripped the steering wheel hard as I pulled out of the parking lot and drove to Kate's place. The hurt look on her face kept flashing in my mind and I groaned.

Two weeks ago, during a night out with the guys, I had heard Michael talking about Kate. She didn't date anyone and turned down anyone who asked her out. And in a cocky moment, I had told him I could get her into bed within a week. So, he had challenged me to a bet. If I failed, I would have to hand over my car keys to him for two months.

I shouldn't have agreed to the bet, damn it. But I was arrogant, wanting to show my friends that I could have anyone I wanted. And that had backfired in the most painful way.

I hadn't expected to like her so much. On our first date, I realized she was different from the other girls I knew. There was just something about her that made me want to get to know her better, spend more time with her.

And I had immediately decided to forget about the bet. I realized I liked her too much to do anything to hurt her.

When Michael asked this morning, I had told him that I have won the bet, just so that he would shut up about the car keys. I didn't give him any details. How was I to know that he would go babbling lies to Kate before I even had a chance to tell her?

I pulled in front of Kate's home and jogged to the front door. My heart was beating entirely too fast and I swallowed the sudden ball of fear I felt. What if she refused to see me?

I rang the doorbell and waited. Kate's mother opened the door.

"Jason?" She looked surprised. "Why aren't you in school?"

"Hi, Mrs. Lewis." I cleared my throat. "I...uh...came to check on Kate." I finished lamely.

"She came a while ago saying she wasn't feeling well." She studied me and I had a feeling she knew it had something to do with me. "I'll tell her you're here." She said letting me in.

I waited in the living room for her. She couldn't possibly mean it when she said she didn't want to see me again.

"Is this part of the bet too?" I turned around to see Kate standing behind me. She looked pale and her eyes were red.

"I'm so sorry." I took a step towards her and she held out her hand halting me.

"Don't you dare touch me."

"Baby, please. Let me explain." The fear of losing her was so strong I could even taste it in my mouth.

"I have been such a fool. I should have known you would never be interested in someone like me." Her voice trembled and her eyes were bright with unshed tears.

I cupped her face in my hands. "I have never lied to you about my feelings. Please believe me."

"It's too late. I can't trust anything you say now." She jerked away from my touch. "Just leave, Jason."

I grabbed her arm and pulled her close but she pushed me away hard and I staggered back. "You got what you wanted. I slept with you, didn't I? When you went bragging about it to your friends did you even stop to think how I'd feel? I'm not one of your toys, Jason. I'm not going to let you treat me like one."

"I've never treated you like that."

"Yes, you made me feel like I was the most important girl in your life. That's what hurts the most. Now I know you were just acting that way to get me into bed. I thought you really liked me."

I wanted to touch her badly but didn't want to upset her anymore. "Just let me explain what happened with Michael."

"It's over, Jason." I cursed and moved towards her but she stepped back. "Just go."

"No." I said stubbornly. "You can't mean that."

"Leave." Her voice broke. "I don't ever want to see your face again. I hate you so much."

I felt as if a fist was wrapped around my heart squeezing painfully. I walked out of the house numbly and sat in my car trying to calm myself.

"Goddammit." My blow landed on the dashboard of the car. I shouldn't be feeling so much pain. How had she become so important to me in just a week? Part of me knew the answer to that question. I had fallen for her. Too fucking much.

Ignoring the pounding in my head, I started the car. If she wanted me to stay away then I would. If and when she decided to talk to me she would come. But deep down inside I knew she wasn't coming back. I had lost her.