by Lacey Wolfe
She shrugged. “How old are you, anyway?”
“Twenty-three.”
She chewed her bottom lip. Did my age make her nervous?
“Am I too old for you?” Leaning back, I drank my coffee.
“Uh, I guess not.” She toyed with a strand of her hair.
“Good because age is only a number. So, how old are you?”
She grinned. “You’re never supposed to ask a woman her age or weight.”
Setting my coffee down, I let my eyes take her in. “I’d guess you’re eighteen and about one twenty-five.”
“You’re right on one of them.” She giggled. “But which one, I’m not telling.”
The waitress returned. “The plates are hot, so be careful.” She set one in front of each of us.
After she left, I stared at my plate, then at hers. Paisley’s looked better than mine, but was she going to be able to eat all of that?
I picked up a slice of bacon. “Have you decided when you’re moving in yet?”
She took a bite of her sausage. “Soon.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Why?”
“Because then you’ll be around more.” I scooped up some hash browns.
Nervously, she asked, “Do, uh. Do you live nearby?”
“Not far. I’m in a condo down the main stretch of road.”
“So, if you don’t live in downtown, and you don’t work at the coffee shop, why are you always there?”
Good question. One I didn’t really have an answer for. “I like the environment.”
“It’s so dark in there. How could you study?”
Was now the time to tell her I wasn’t taking college classes? That I’d tried it and found it wasn’t for me. Here she was so young and new to “adult” life. “I manage.”
Her cell phone dinged and I watched as she typed a message to someone. Probably the guy who’d been all over her at the party. That guy wanted Paisley, but she didn’t seem to know it.
“Sorry about that.” She set the phone on the table.
“It’s no bother to me.”
We ate the next few minutes in comfortable silence. I did the best I could to keep my eyes off of her, but it wasn’t easy. Sure, I’d been attracted to girls in the past, but there was something about her that hypnotized me.
When our plates were practically cleaned, I realized that meant our breakfast was about to be over. Was there a way I could prolong this? Even though I was exhausted and sleep would be a better idea, I wanted to be with Paisley. Stay with her and learn as much about her as I could.
“I’m guessing you’re tired.” She finished her coffee.
“A little. Did you have something in mind?”
“Well.” There she went again, sucking in her bottom lip. I was beginning to see this as a habit. “Maybe we could ride around a bit.”
I smirked. At least her first ride hadn’t scared her. “You want to hit the open roads?”
“It was fun.”
Was it really a good idea to take her out? I almost felt like I was corrupting her. “How would your possessive friend feel about it?”
“Evan?” Ah, I finally had a name. “What’s it to him what I do?”
“All right. Let me go pay for this and we’ll go.”
“Oh. I can pay for mine.” She reached in to her pocket.
I held a hand up. “This is on me. Consider it our first official date.”
She grinned. Damn, this girl was addicting. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get enough.
After paying for the meal, I returned and held my hand out to her. “Let’s go ride. I know just where I want to take you.”
As I crossed the street from campus back to the main part of town, I didn’t have my class schedule on my mind, I had Gabe. I hadn’t seen him again since breakfast a few days ago, but he was all I’d been thinking about. What he was doing? Was he thinking of me? Had I demanded too much of his time the other morning?
Agh! I wanted out of my own damn head. Never had a guy taken up so much of my time. And I wasn’t dating him, was I? Probably not. We hadn’t even exchanged numbers. Our time always ended with him telling me I knew where to find him.
I wanted to go to the coffee shop right now. To have him stare at me the way he always did. The way that made me feel like I was the only one in the room. But I didn’t want to come across desperate and needy.
Instead, I made myself go sit in my car. I still had an hour before I needed to be at work. Last night I’d talked to my boss about having the weekend off. It was time to move. There was no way I wanted to keep commuting here. Sure, the drive wasn’t that bad, but the idea of being here in town all the time and being able to see Gabe whenever, well it was enough to make me ready to spread my wings and fly. I was ready for a real adult relationship, so to speak.
But then what Evan said haunted me. He likes innocent girls.
I was doing everything I could not to appear innocent. Though, I’m not sure I was succeeding. Most likely he knew I’d lied about the motorcycle ride, but he’d kept his lips zipped, and let me go on pretending I’d had him fooled. Maybe the best way to put a stop to this nagging feeling was to ask him if it was true. The last thing I wanted was to be used.
In my car, I turned the key enough to put the windows down. Pulling the phone from my purse, I decided to call Kristy. I sure as heck couldn’t talk to Evan about it.
“Hey, chic!” she answered.
“Just got my schedule. First semester is going to be hell. I have classes starting at eight in the morning. Why did I do that?” I groaned.
“Because you’re crazy. I’m packing right now. It’s almost time for me to blow this joint.”
Sadness formed in my chest. I hated that my BFF was going to be a whole state away. Would we stay close friends like always? “Speaking of packing. If you’re around this weekend, I’d love help.”
“With?” Her tone had a hint of excitement.
“Moving.”
“No shit!” she screamed. “Hell, yeah. And we’ve got to have a little party. What do you think?”
A cool breeze entered the car. “A party?”
“It can be small. A few drinks, close friends.” She paused. “Oh, I know. A going away and moving in party for both of us.”
I laughed. She sounded so happy, how could I say no? Besides, I was growing up, and grown-ups had parties. “As long as you keep it low key. You know…”
“I know, I know. I can’t freaking wait!”
I propped my arm on the window and rested the side of my head on my fist. “I don’t have much. Just my bedroom stuff, and my parents have some old couch in the basement. One U-Haul trip should do it.”
“Call Evan. Tell him to round up some hotties to help us carry it all up the stairs on Saturday.”
I could think of one particular hottie I’d like to see. His arms flexed as he carried a heavy box. Yes, please! “Uh, yeah. Okay. I’ll text him as soon as we get off the phone.”
“Go do that now. I’ve got a date.”
“A date? You’re leaving town soon. Long distance relationships never work.”
She giggled. “It’s with Jake. A goodbye of sorts before we go our separate ways.”
Jake. Her on again, off again boyfriend throughout high school. I’d always liked the guy, but he wasn’t the right fit for Kristy.
“Have fun. Talk to you soon.” I disconnected the call.
Glancing at the clock, I decided I’d just go to work early. I opened the messaging app and texted Evan while I was thinking of it. Moving this weekend. Think you and some friends can help? Party that night at my place.
I figured the mention of a party would entice him.
I left my car and started to walk toward the bookstore. Today wasn’t as hot as usual. The weather was overcast and I had a feeling it might rain soon. Which meant one of two things. The store would be dead, or it would be crowded with people not interested in books as they waited for the storm to p
ass.
My phone dinged from a new text. Evan. I’m free. Let me talk to Pete.
I cringed at the thought of Pete being in my place. But I supposed I was going to have to get used to him. As long as Evan was living with him, Pete wasn’t going away.
* * *
“Get out of here.” My boss, Ms. Clara, stared at a notepad as she adjusted her glasses. “I’ll close up. This place is dead.”
Yay! I was so ready to get out of here. While the storms had passed, it was soaking wet outside and book shopping was the last thing on anyone’s mind. While I could probably use the hours since I was taking the big step of moving out, I also worried if I sat here much longer, I’d begin alphabetizing the shelves.
“All right. Have a great evening.” I collected my things from under the register counter.
She barely looked up. I guess whatever she was reading had really captured her attention. Pushing the door open, the cooled air welcomed me. The air smelled sweet and clean, and was just one of those scents that needed to be bottled up and turned into a fragrance.
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
A shiver went up my spine as I spun around. “Gabe.”
He walked toward me, hands in the pockets to his dark jeans. “I’ve been camping out at the coffee shop waiting for you.”
I tried to suppress my grin, but failed. He’d been waiting on me. Total squeal moment. “You know, if you’d just ask me for my number, I might give it to you.”
“Oh yeah? I might have to, since you’re playing hard to get.”
Hard to get! As if! I didn’t have a real reason as to why I hadn’t come to him, other than I didn’t want to be desperate.
“I’ve got my bike. Want to go for a ride? I’ve got a bit before work tonight.”
My heart raced hard. “You’re in luck, I got out of work early.”
“Come on.” He winked and headed toward his bike.
To say I was happy Gabe sought me out was an understatement. I was giddy with joy. And as he turned to hand me the helmet, I thought I might faint. How could a guy so hot be interested in me? I put the helmet on and it fit perfectly, as though no one had worn it since I had—a good sign.
Gabe slid onto the bike and patted the seat behind him. “You’re not chickening out, are ya?”
“Hell no.” I placed my hands on his shoulders as I climbed on.
He laughed the whole time. I was glad I didn’t have to stop touching him. Instead, I got to slide my palms down his back and then around his waist. Resting my head on his back, he revved the engine, and then with a jerk of the bike, we were off. The air was still moist from the rain and it felt like a breath of fresh air as he took a back road out of town. I wasn’t sure where we were going, but right now, I’d go just about anywhere with him.
I rested my chin on his shoulder as we rode around. His blinker came on and he slowed at an entrance to a local park. He pulled the bike into a parking spot and shut the engine off. I didn’t want the ride to be over, but I was also curious what he had planned.
After climbing off the bike and removing my helmet, I fluffed my hair—which I’d been wearing down a lot more these days. Damn Pete. I shouldn’t let him get under my skin.
Gabe offered me his hand. I took it, and I swear my heart skipped a beat. It felt so amazing to be touching him again. There was something about him that drew me to him like a bee to honey. Had to have him.
We walked along a wooded trail and when we came to the opening, I saw a play ground. It had been forever since I’d been to one of these.
“Think I’m crazy?” he asked.
“Of course, but I like it.” He led me over and released my hand.
I took a seat on the wet seat. Ick, wet butt feeling was never good. But then Gabe’s hands lightly pressed my back as he pushed me. No one had helped me swing since I was a child. It was nice that for a short second, as I swung back toward him, his palm met my lower back.
After a few pushes, he sat on the seat next to mine. “Yikes, it’s wet.”
I laughed. “Yeah, I know.”
He pushed off, and before long we were both going high. I stared ahead, but as usual, I could feel him watching me. I glanced over and smiled. “Why do you do that?”
“What?”
“Look at me all the time.”
“I like to look at pretty things.”
Swoon went my heart. I didn’t have words after that. Instead, I glanced away, though I hated breaking the connection with him.
I wasn’t sure how long we sat there gliding through the air, but it was over much too quickly. Gabe stood in front of me, offering his hand. I stopped the swing, taking it. I’d expected us to start walking again, but instead he tugged me to his body. There wasn’t even half an inch between us. He stared down at me, and I knew what was coming.
“Stop me now, Pais,” he whispered.
Why the hell would I stop him? I wanted this.
When I didn’t say anything, the cutest smirk crossed his face as he leaned forward and lightly touched his lips to mine.
Oh. My. God. He was kissing me. Closing my eyes, I enjoyed the feel of him so close. It was slow, mouths’ closed, but enough to make every nerve in my body stand on end. I was positive the feeling below the belt meant I was turned on. I’d only experienced this feeling a few times, but I liked it. Loved the way he made me feel.
I sighed, and it must’ve been the invitation he’d been looking for. His tongue darted in, meeting mine. Something burst in me. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled myself snug up against his hard body, letting the kiss deepen.
Something else hard met my belly. Was that?
I broke the kiss and my gaze darted down. Holy cow. It was. I’d turned Gabe on. When I looked back at his face, his eyes were dark. It almost scared me with the way he stared at me now. Not scared in a bad way, but because I felt the same strong need to kiss him again.
Not giving it another thought, I reached out and cupped the back of his head bringing my lips back to him. He groaned and held me tight. This time the kiss was more needy and messy. I’d never been kissed like this. In the past when it got kind of sloppy, it grossed me out. I had to end it just to wipe my face, but with Gabe, I could do this forever. Maybe more.
He stepped away, abruptly, ending the kiss. “We’ve got to stop.”
“I like it.” I stepped toward him.
“Me, too. But we’re in the middle of a park, and there is so much more I’d rather do that just kiss you.” He took a deep breath. “I’ve got to get to work.”
He offered his hand to me again. As I clasped mine into his, I was sad our time together was coming to an end.
“I’m moving here this weekend.” I chewed my bottom lip.
“Oh yeah? Great. I can see you more.”
He wanted to see me more. That was a good sign he didn’t think I was a horrible kisser. “Yeah, and I’m having a little party Saturday night. Would you come?” I couldn’t look at him after I said it.
“Sure. I’d love to.”
At his bike, he took out my helmet. I expected him to hand it to me like usual, but instead, he put it on my head and snapped it. Then he surprised me even more. He leaned forward and lightly pressed his lips to mine.
When he pulled back, he winked. “I could do that all day.”
He wasn’t the only one. If I thought I had it bad for Gabe before, I was wrong. After one kiss, I was done. I needed more, much more.
I closed my laptop down. I’d done all the writing I could today. My mind just wasn’t able to concentrate on what my characters wanted. Having my mother text me every five minutes didn’t help. Apparently she couldn’t handle my little brother today. I knew how she was when she didn’t feel like playing mommy. She got snappy and wouldn’t think twice about back handing him, or anyone. I couldn’t leave my four-year-old brother alone with her.
Nate had been the outcome of my parents swinging lifestyle. His paternity was up in the air, but I was sur
e Nate wasn’t my father’s. But dad never said anything. When he was around, he treated the child like any of his others, as though they didn’t exist.
“You outta here?” Leah, the barista working this afternoon asked.
“Yeah.”
She smiled in a flirty way. Leah was newer to the business. I had a feeling she thought I hung around here for her. “Will you be back?”
I packed my backpack up. “Probably not.” Most likely I’d rescue Nate for the evening and bring him back to my place.
“Tomorrow?” She sounded hopeful.
Tomorrow was the day Paisley was moving to town. Now that I had her number, I hoped she’d want my help. If not, I knew she wanted me to be at her party—which seemed out of place for her. She didn’t seem like the partying type of girl. Then again, I didn’t know her well, yet. But if I had my way, I would soon.
“I might be.” I slung my backpack over my shoulder. “See ya.”
“Bye.” Leah waved.
Outside I noticed a piece of paper tapped to my bike. I pulled it off and almost laughed at the irony. A parking ticket—just my damn luck. I quickly snapped a photo of it with my phone and sent it to Paisley.
Are you behind this ticket?
I folded it up and shoved it deep into my pockets. Hopefully it wasn’t too expensive. I slid my helmet on and as I climbed onto the bike, I got a text back.
No, I swear. Though, maybe next time you’ll use a parking spot.
I smiled. Probably not.
Twenty minutes later, I entered my parents place. My mother’s tantrum welcomed me. I found Nate sitting on the couch, tears running down his face.
“What’s going on?” I asked as I sat down next to him.
“I’ve told him over and over, no drinks in the living room, and he still does it.” She crossed her arms.
I ruffled Nate’s light brown hair. “Is that true, Buddy?”
“I didn’t drink it,” Nate said. “I came to ask her a question.”
“But you don’t bring the drink in here,” Mom argued.
“I’m sure it was an accident.” I stared at her. “Did it get spilled?”
“No, thank God.”
She was such a drama queen. “You want to come spend the night with me?” I asked Nate, who nodded right away.
