"And they didn't tell me that," I pointed out. "But more than all of that? Cody, you are drunk."
"I know."
"And," I went on, "it doesn't feel good to think the only reason a woman would want to kiss me is because she's too intoxicated to think straight. Never mind the consent issues. You are drunk, Cody. Very, very drunk."
"But Ty..."
I groaned, cutting her off. "I am not Ty. I'm me, and I promise I'm not offended, ok?"
"I wanna ask if we're still friends, but I know you'll say yes because you have to."
Yeah, she had a point. She was wrong, but this? It was what made her so amazing. Somehow, she saw right through all the bullshit - even this drunk!
"Look," I said, resting a hand on her leg. "We're good enough friends that I'm not going to judge you for doing something drunk that's just like something I'd do."
"Yeah?" she asked.
"Yeah," I said. "Because I'd need a little liquid courage to kiss someone like you. Knowing she has two boyfriends? That makes it even more terrifying, and I'm not a brave man."
"I think you are," she said, turning her face toward me even though her eyes were closed. "You stood up to Donald Merrill for me. You helped me when you shouldn't have. You also have really nice dimples, Jake."
"And I had fun with you tonight," I said softly. "Now sleep."
"Mm.." she murmured. "I like the shirt too." But her words were already drifting off.
And still I couldn't help myself. I smoothed a hand over the fabric on my chest. "I picked it to impress someone." Then I leaned in and turned off the light, listening as her breathing evened out.
Chapter 50
We ate dessert.Then J.D. walked me around the area with his arm wrapped around my shoulders. Mine was hooked on his side, and I didn't give a damn about the people throwing glares at us. Shit, let them try something. The two of us could fuck up a whole pack of idiots.
And among all of that, we talked.
J.D. told me about the farm he wanted. I admitted I'd never thought I'd be able to afford one. Cody was wrapped up in both of our daydreams, but it was nice. The simple fact that we could go on a date like this and talk about both us and her? To me, it said we'd finally figured out how to get love in the PBR to actually work.
When the pauses got a little too long and the looks were shared were much too hot, I told him to take me home. I toyed with his fingers while he drove, not even ashamed to be entranced with the calluses on his riding hand. But when we got out of the truck, we both kept our distance.
The walk through the lobby felt like it took too long. When we reached the elevator, someone else joined us. I shifted to the back of the car and stood with my hands in my pockets.J.D. shifted so his arm brushed my elbow, and we waited for everyone else to leave.
It was the twenty-second floor before we were finally alone. With eleven more to go, I dared to glance over. Yeah, he was watching me, and that hungry look had the blood running south. Just to make sure he suffered the same way, I dropped my eyes down his body, taking my time about the inspection.
"You keep that up and I'm not gonna be real good," he warned just as the car stopped on our floor.
So I stepped out, then turned to wait for him. "Pretty sure the only people on this floor are the ones who won't know us or won't care," I said.
He stepped out of the elevator like a wildfire, caught me by the arms, and pressed me up against the wall for one hell of a kiss. Yeah, he was feeling it too. This? It was as crazy as the first night we got together, but better.
Sweeter.
"You keep that up," I warned, lifting my chin so he could kiss down my neck, "and I'll end up bending you over the couch."
"Tease," he whispered against my skin - and then stepped back.
So I turned him toward our room, pushing him ahead of me. "Oh, I promise I'm not."
He was already digging in his pocket for the door key. As soon as we were close enough, he shoved that into the lock. I waited for the click, then pushed him into the room and to the side. The door clanged shut behind us, but this time I had him exactly where I wanted.
My hand found J.D.'s throat as I turned his face up so I could kiss him the way he deserved. Nipping at his beard, I kept pushing him back until he hit the wall, and then I found his mouth. We kissed so fucking hard, our bodies pressed up against each other.
