Unwritten Rules

by M.A. Stacie

  “Looks like I’m going out tonight, Meow.”

  When he fixed his beady green gaze on me. I knew exactly what he wanted. I reached up and retrieved some kibble from the shelf, pouring it into his bowl. His purring grew louder as he began to gnaw on the chunks. I left him in peace to finish his food, deciding to take a shower.

  I indulged myself, using my expensive, perfumed body wash then the matching body lotion once I dried myself. I wrapped a towel around my head to encase my wet hair. I needed to find something suitable to wear. Jonah asked me to dress up, but hadn’t told me where we were going, so I didn’t know what would be suitable. I browsed my closet trying to figure out whether to go casual or sexy, when I spotted a black dress that I’d purchased a few months ago. I couldn’t go wrong with a classic, right?

  I took my time styling my hair, and applying my makeup, before trying deciding on some underwear. I kept telling myself that Jonah was not going to see it but chose a lacy black thong and demi-cup bra anyway. I shivered as the fabric skimmed my skin. The friction reminding me of the last time Jonah’s hands were on my body.

  I let out a resounding groan. I couldn’t keep doing this to myself. Regardless the bond we shared, I didn’t know enough about him. The drugs were a major issue that had to be addressed.

  The apparent name change, from Benjamin Samuels to Jonah Quinn, had me perplexed. I tried to reason that it wasn’t unheard of for people to change their names; perhaps he didn’t like the one his parents gave him. I couldn’t help but snigger at the internal war my heart and mind were waging on one another over the beautiful man upstairs.

  My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.

  He was here.

  Butterflies began to dance in my stomach. I fumbled with the zipper on my dress as I tried to fasten it in a hurry. I raced across the living room, my bare feet slapping on the wood floor, reminding me I’d yet to decide on shoes. However, all coherent thoughts disappeared when I opened the door and looked at the man before me.

  He was dressed in a fitted, white, button-down that showed a hint of the black ink it covered. His pants were tailored and seemed to have been made for him alone. I silently prayed that I’d get a good glimpse of his ass in them before the night was over.

  “Hi,” he grinned, his face lighting up.

  My mouth hung open. I tried to speak, but my brain was stuck on “Wow”. Jonah moved to rest his forearm on the door frame, cocking a brow at me. It was as if he was taking pleasure from my turbulence, but then hadn’t I done the same thing to him just weeks earlier?

  When I didn’t speak he filled the silence, “You’ll be needing shoes.”

  “Pardon?” I blinked, trying to force my head back out of the clouds.

  “Shoes, Red. You place them on your feet. They are functional as well as pretty.”

  “Oh!” I replied sounding dumb, even to my own ears. “Where are we going?”

  His smile widened as he tried to take a step inside. I backed up, allowing him in, and checked my appearance in the mirror near the door. At least that was the excuse I used, I was actually checking out his ass.

  “I told you it was a surprise.”

  “I know but we’re going on the date so you can tell me now,” I pointed out.

  His brows drew together as he thought before he disclosed the location, “We’re going up to the roof.”

  “What?” I asked in surprise. “I’ve gotten dressed up like this to go up there? Are you kidding me?”

  My voice was becoming high pitched, and somewhat hysterical, but the moment he linked his pinkie in mine I calmed. He gave my pinkie a small squeeze, and lowered his head, kissing my nose. I didn’t understand why I was getting so irritated.

  “Just trust me. You’ll like it,” he uttered, inciting those stomach butterflies again.

  “You’re always asking for my trust, Jonah.”

  “I know, but where I’m taking you on a date isn’t exactly on par with my past, is it?”

  “So it is your past that’s the issue,” I stated quickly, using his own words as an open door.

  It didn’t work. Jonah pulled away, leaning back against the small kitchen counter and bracing himself with both hands. His knuckles were turning white from the force of his grip. I wanted to kick myself.

  “I shouldn’t have said that. Sorry,” I apologized, taking a step closer to him.

  Jonah shook his head. It was more in

  exasperation than in denial, and when I took hold of his shirt with both my hands he exhaled and lowered his forehead to mine.

  “Time is all I need, Red.”

  His words rumbled through his torso, making my fingers tingle. I wrapped my arms around his neck in a quick, tight hug. Keeping my tone light, I asked, “Is it raining?”

  “No,” he considered a second before he understood what I was referring to. His confidence faded the moment he remembered, and his gaze dropped from mine. That tell tale blush was back.

  I cleared my throat, wanting to draw him out of his shy little bubble. “Will I need some heels, or can I just wear my slippers?”

  “If by slippers you mean those huge pink monster feet over there, then I’m not sure.”

  His eyes were flashing with humor. Giggling, I rushed over to put them on. I heard him grumble, and when I turned around he was rolling his eyes.

  “You look strangely attractive right now. The bizarre combination of the tight dress and the furry slippers are working for me. I just wish I had a camera.”

  “To immortalize my shame?”

  “Something like that,” he chuckled, linking his hand in mine, then ushering me to the door.

  I wondered what he had in store for me as we walked up the stairs, out onto the roof.

  “Are you going to- Oh, Jonah!”

  I gasped as I took in all he’d organized, not quite believing it. At the far side of the roof was a red sofa. It faced the newly painted, white wall of the building next door.

  It would be the focus of the evening because behind the couch was a projector. Jonah had set up our own private cinema.

  “Is this okay?” He questioned, his nerves coming through.

  “It’s amazing! Thank you.”

  I reached out for him, but he began to walk up to the couch, gesturing at the small table to the left.

  “We have candy, popcorn, and soda for our eating pleasure. Can I interest you in anything?”

  I smiled, asking for a soda, before taking my seat on the couch. I curled my legs around myself and settled in.

  “I should have told you to wear jeans,” Jonah sighed as he sat down next to me and handed me a can of soda. “I was being selfish. I wanted to see you dressed up.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded, turning to face me, the wind ruffling his hair.

  “I saw you a few weeks ago in a dress. You were going out with your blonde friend. You looked stunning. You had this blue tutu thing on, and the strangest shoes I’ve ever seen, but I was mesmerized. I guess when I asked you on a date I should have taken you somewhere much more romantic, but I wanted... ”

  He became quiet, his words drifting off.

  “Tell me,” I demanded softly, placing my hand on his knee, feeling his muscles tense.

  Jonah took a moment before whispering, “I wanted to be alone with you.”

  I melted. It was the sweetest thing I’d ever heard.

  Nathan had never been one for big declarations. A kiss in public from him would have been a miracle, so those words from Jonah were enough to garner my gratitude in the form of a kiss to his cheek. I felt his skin flame as he coughed and switched the projector on.

  “What are we watching?” I asked, resting my head on his shoulder.

  He tapped my nose with his index finger, before hooking my pinkie with his. “You ask far too many questions, Miss Sampson. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy. I have no doubt at all that you’ll like it.”

  “Very sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

>   “Shhh,” he breathed, the sound rumbling through his chest sent shivers down my spine.

  The movie started, and I could see Jonah was watching it avidly already. I was still amazed that he’d set all this up for me. It was unbelievable; something I would never forget. It was difficult to concentrate on the movie. My mind drifted to the memory of the last time we were on the rooftop as I tried not to snuggle too close to Jonah though every cell in my body urged me to move toward him.

  Right on cue, Jonah exhaled and dipped to nuzzle the skin below my ear lobe He whispered a thanks, before placing a quick peck on the now ultra-sensitive skin then focusing back on the movie. The actors were dancing in the rain, embracing each other, which produced a moan of arousal from me as I recalled what Jonah and I had done.

  The sound must have made him uncomfortable, because he shifted quickly and picked up a packet of candy. When he sat back he was further away than before, but each time he placed a candy into his mouth his arm stroked mine.

  My skin tingled and thighs clenched as he brought a piece of the candy up to my lips. “Do you want one, Red?”

  He asked in such a seductive drawl, that I almost pounced on him. Instead, I nodded, locking my eyes with his and parting my lips. As he slipped the small treat into my mouth, I licked my lips, brushing his fingertips with my tongue. His eyes darkened as a result of my gesture. In an effort to tease him a bit more, I licked it again. I knew I was potentially playing with fire, but we were explosive in the bedroom; and my body craved more. Jonah did things to me no man had ever done.

  I was about to beg for him to kiss me when he said, “You look so beautiful. I didn’t tell you, and I should have.”

  “Even my monster slippers?”

  He grinned, flashing his dimples at me and nodded. “Yeah, even those. Although, I would ask you not to wear them next time.”

  I cocked a brow, the side of my mouth quirking in a smirk. “Next time?”

  “Kiss me, Red,” he breathed, his hands lifting to cup my face.

  He didn’t have to ask me twice. As the movie continued to play across the wall, I became lost in his affection. We kissed, touched, and caressed. It was slow and sensual, never becoming more than a simmer. We were starting over, taking it back to the start and taking time to discover each other. Our tongues stroked each other languidly, and he gave a soft hum that tickled. I giggled, pulling away, but kept my hand resting on his thigh.

  My fingers stroked his inside leg. I heard him swallow thickly as he skimmed the tip of his nose down my cheek.

  “Did the movie bore you?”

  I kissed his cheek, frowning at the odd question.

  “No. I was enjoying being close to you. What you’ve done here is the sweetest thing ever, but I want to get to know you, Jonah. I like spending time with you.”

  “I suppose you’ve had grander gestures,” he muttered.

  “No!” I denied. “And even if I had it’s not about that. You shock me, do you know that? You alternate from confident to shy in a heartbeat. Sometimes I wonder if it’s real.”

  “I find it far too easy to let my guard down with you.”

  “I just want you to be yourself. You don’t need to be cautious around me.”

  He looked down at our hands and entwined them, bringing them close to his chest. I remained silent, watching him and waiting for more. I was always waiting for more from him.

  “You... ” he started, trying to choose his words carefully. “You’re the only person that has come this close in five years... ”

  “What? You haven’t had sex in five years? Jonah, I find that very hard to believe.”

  “That’s not what I said.” He raised his brows at me. “Though I would like to know why it’s hard to believe.”

  “Well, look at you,” I motioned to all of him. “You are gorgeous. I’d have thought you’d have a long line of girls ready to meet your needs. In fact, I met two of them in the coffee shop before your gig at Cellar.”

  His hand tightened around mine. He licked his lips so slowly, I took it as a personal tease.

  “They’re kids.”

  “Oh, and you’re so old and wise,” I snorted, trying to be as sarcastic as I could.

  “You know what I mean. They don’t want me. They want the guy that’s up on the stage, not the emotional wreck that needs medication to help him through the day. Each and every one of them would have run screaming if they’d have found what you did in that cabinet.”

  “Then they don’t deserve you,” I replied, but he dropped my hands, stood up, and walked around the couch.

  He turned off the projector and began to dismantle it, shutting me out and making it clear the date was over.

  “What did I do wrong?”

  He dismissed me, “Nothing. It’s getting cold, let’s go inside.”

  “Jonah. Stop! What the hel did I just do the upset you?”

  His shoulder sagged. He kicked the table, making the projector wobble. “I don’t deserve you. I’m not made for relationships. I know I’m going to fuck this up. I’m going to drive you away, or do something that will hurt you, and you’ll be added to my list of people I’ve screwed over. You should walk away now.”

  I walked over to him and tugged on his shirt until he faced me. My hands moved to cup his jaw. When he looked, I tried to make him feel the words I spoke, “I won’t be going anywhere. This means something to me, and I want to prove you wrong. I want to show you that you are worthy, Jonah. You don’t need to hide anymore.”

  He closed his eyes, taking in the words, before covering my hand with his and saying gently, “I hope you’re right, because I think hurting you would bring me to my knees.”

  I didn’t want to hear his tortured tone any longer, so I kissed him with everything I had. Jonah Quinn had managed to weave his way into my heart, and I was sure there was no way out.

  We walked down the stairwell hand in hand, nervous anticipation swirling low in my stomach. I wanted to be with him; I wanted to spend the night in his arms.

  However, common sense prevailed. If things started to get a little steamy, I would have no choice but to walk away. We needed to take baby steps, because my heart and his sanity were already on the line.

  “Are you sure you had a good time tonight?”

  His voice was low as it echoed off the walls of the stairwell, encroaching on the intimacy of the moment.

  “It was beautiful. In fact, it was the most thoughtful date I’ve ever been on,” I replied, tucking a stray curl behind my ear.

  “Really?” He questioned.

  “Really. What’s wrong? You sound like you’ve never taken someone out before,” I giggled, but sobered when the expression on his face didn’t alter. I stopped walking, halting his movements by flattening my palm on his chest.

  “Should I take the look of horror on your face as confirmation?”

  “I... um... shit!” He stammered, his hands clenching into fists.

  I lifted my other hand to his face and tried to get him to meet my gaze. “Jonah. Jonah, look at me. Please?”

  When he did, I continued, “How did someone like you go, oh, how old are you?”

  He smirked. “Kind of amusing that you don’t know that about me, considering what we’ve shared. I’m twenty-seven.”

  “Twenty-seven?” I repeated in shock.

  I’d always taunted J.J. for the age difference between her and Elijah, and yet, here I was already drawn into a precarious relationship with someone three years my junior. J.J. would love that little gem of information. It wasn’t much of a gap, but I knew my words were going to come back and haunt me.

  “Okay, well, we can talk about your age later.

  What I really want to know is how you have gone twenty-seven years, looking like you do, without a date?”

  He shrugged and tried to walk through the door that led to my floor. I blocked his way, staring him down, placing my hands on my hips in a show of defiance.

  “Do I have to go into
this?” When I nodded, he winced, but said, “Look, I told you I left home at seventeen.

  That’s the age where guys do stuff like date and steal bases. I had other shit to deal with, like paying bills.”

  “Oh my God! Was I your first?”

  His head fell back, mouth opening wide as his laughter bellowed out. I had never seen him so free. I watched him, waiting as mortification stung my cheeks.

  When he finished, I could barely look him in the eyes.

  “What the hell made you think that?”

  “B-but you said... ”

  “I said dating, Elle. Dating is not sex. But just to make it clear, you were not my first.”

  “So you weren’t dating five years ago?” I shot at him. His brows drew together in confusion, so I elaborated.

  “You said no one had been this close to you in five years.”

  “Ah. No, I wasn’t dating,” he responded, his eyes filling with sadness. “That was when I learned to keep everything to myself. Spilling your past sins to someone you don’t know is never a good idea.”

  “Is that why you’re keeping me at arms-length now?”

  Jonah didn’t answer me. He shook his head and stepped around me, stalking to my apartment and muttering about taking me home. I raced after him, my slippers sliding on the floor. When I caught up he was leaning back against the wall, arms folded across his chest, staring down at his boots.

  “Is that it then? I’m left out in the cold again?” I jutted my chin out, trying to make him see just how annoyed I was, but he was transfixed by his boots. I prodded his chest with my finger, “Jonah, talk to me.”

  “You say that to me far too often,” he growled.

  “I wouldn’t need to if you stopped being so evasive. There’s so much that I’m willing to wait for, but the further you push me away the more I wonder why I’m hanging around.”

  “I warned you that I hurt people,” he pointed out as condescending as possible.