Well as okay as it can be right now. In this moment…it’s enough.
Sixteen
Charleigh
The pilesof clothes on my bed and floor are mocking me. I have no clue what one even wears to a bonfire, I’ve never been to one. There isn’t really an opportunity to have them in the city.
I pick up a pair of skinny jeans in one hand and a pair of shorts in the other, determining the suitability of each garment. It’s hot, even at night, the heat presses in on all sides. But what if there’s tall grass? Jeans would be a better option to ward of the creepy crawlies. This decision should not be that hard.
There’s a knock on the door, and I know it’s Jake. Instead of hollering for him to come in, I walk to the door, still wrapped up in my towel, and open it.
He’s leaning against the door jamb, smirking. “Why am I not surprised that you aren’t ready?” His gaze moves up and down my body slowly. “And, you’re only wearing a towel this time.”
“Shut up,” I lift my arm to throw my shorts at him. But he grabs it and pulls me to him. Wrapping me up in his arms. He lowers his head, and presses soft kisses to my neck, taking his time as he moves toward my lips.
As soon as his mouth touches mine, he devours me. He pushes one hand into my hair, fingers tangling in the still damp strands. His other arm is wrapped around my waist pulling me as close to him as possible. He is stranded in a desert, and I’m the fountain of water he needs to survive.
His tongue sweeps across mine. There’s nothing else for me to do but drop the clothes in my hands, wrap my arms around his neck, and cling to him as he deepens the kiss.
He walks me backward until we’re both in the apartment, pushing the door closed with his foot. When I think he’s about to break what might be the best kiss I’ve ever received, he spins me until my back is flush with the door. Every inch of our bodies touching.
The desperation in the kiss slowly ebbs. He gives me one last peck, before leaning his forehead against mine. Our breaths mingling. “I’ve missed you.”
I smile up at him, “I missed you, too.” And if I getthatgreeting every time we see each other, I’m not going to complain. He damn near swept me off my feet.
I watch him study me, trying not to squirm from the ache building between my legs. This isn’t the first time we’ve been in this situation. We’ve had some pretty heavy make-out sessions when we hang out here to watch movies. I’ve tried pressing him to go further, but he’s remained a gentleman. Not wanting to push me too far. It’s not pushing if I’m willing.
I push off the wall, and he steps back. Grabbing his hand, I lead him past the sofa, and straight to my bedroom. The one place in my apartment he hasn’t been.
I release his hand, waiting to see what he’s going to do. He runs a finger through his hair and looks around the room like he’s lost. Confusion written all over his face.
When he doesn’t make a move, I walk to the nightstand and pull a condom out of the box I bought when I started catching feelings for him. He sees the foil packet in my hand, bites his lip and groans.
I take a few steps toward him, loosen the knot on my towel, and let it drop to the floor. His eyes widen, practically bugging out of his head. I know I’m not the only one that wants this, I can see the bulge in his jeans.
My freak out from yesterday still needs to be addressed, but right now…right now I wanthim.
I step closer to him, and all at once our hands are a flurry of action. I’m tugging his shirt over his head, and his hands are trying to touch every part of me they can. As soon as his clothes are littering the floor, he puts the condom on, and walks me to my bed. He pushes the clothes piled on top of it to the floor before guiding me back.
He leans over me, desire pouring off him in waves, and asks, “Are you sure?”
Cupping his face between my hands, I nod and whisper, “Yes.”
In his eyes I see lust, but I also see adoration. And, I know I’m in trouble because I’m already falling for him, secrets and all. This may end up being a huge mistake, but right now I need to feel him.
That whispered confirmation is all he needs to show me exactly how much he missed me.
* * *
We pullonto a tiny gravel road in the middle of nowhere. Images of slasher movies pop into my head, and I realize this is how most of those movies begin. I subtly reach toward the door making sure it’s locked. I study our surroundings as best I can in the pitch-black night just in a case a chainsaw wielding psychopath comes out of the darkness. I know that’s highly unlikely but I need to know which direction to run in case it happens.
I reach over and grab Jake’s hand, slipping my fingers through his. The memory of those hands caressing every part of my body only a couple of hours ago replaying through my mind. Gentle but firm, knowing exactly how I needed to be touched.
He glances at me, smiling. “We’re almost there. Are you nervous?”
I snort. “Not at all. That mouthy friend of yours I sometimes hear in the background of our phones calls better watch out. He may end up junk punched by the end of the night.”
He laughs so hard his body is shaking. “That would be Randall. I promise he’s not that bad.”