"That is going to be a long and slow ride up the elevator to the top," he said before turning off his truck.
"Yep," I agreed, grabbing my hat and hopping out on my side.
Jake was only a second behind me, having grabbed his phone. When we reached the back side of his truck, he shoved his grey hat back on his head then opened his arm, offering me a space at his side.
I took it, feeling his hand gently rest on my waist. His arm was across my back, and I was tucked up nicely against his side. He was taller than J.D. and Tanner, but not by much. Shorter than Ty, but I was pretty sure he was broader.
And I liked it.
I liked that I could tell the difference, that it was ok to be doing this, and most of all, that Iwasdoing this. I also liked Jake, but it was the exciting and fleeting kind. The new sort. The confusing and scary kind that made me feel like I was taking a real big risk, even if I knew it wasn't.
We made it into the hotel and across the lobby in silence. When we reached the elevator, Jake leaned in to press the button. A moment later, the doors opened, revealing a completely empty car waiting for us, and instead of letting me go, Jake stepped in with me, keeping me against his side.
But I had to pull away to hit the button for the thirty-third floor. He shifted, moving behind me to wrap his arms around my waist, then leaned into my ear.
"So, do I need to start warming you up all over again?"
"Fuck that," I said, turning in his arms to pull off his hat and kiss him this time.
I felt his lips curl into a smile, and then he pressed in. My back found the wall of the elevator at the same time his tongue found mine. Oh wow, this boy could really kiss, and a little warm-up was definitely giving him a little confidence.
"I'm following your lead, cowgirl," he breathed before kissing me again.
And I could handle that. Grabbing a fistful of his shirt, I turned, pressing his back against the wall, and stretched for his mouth. He made a sound that could only be described as a purr, and moved his hands to my waist, guiding me closer.
So close, I could feel that hard ridge pressing into my belly. Yeah, I liked that. I fuckingwantedthat, and for once I wasn't going to worry about what anyone else would think. I was going to cowgirl up a bit and get buck wild.
Then the door dinged. I turned to check the floor, surprised to find we were already at the top, then stepped back.
"So, something like that?" I taunted before turning and walking off the elevator. "C'mon, Jake. Keep up."
"Oh, yeah," he muttered, following me off willingly. "Girl, you are pushing all my buttons now."
"Bossy?" I asked.
"Confident," he corrected. "Driven. Unstoppable, unashamed, and unafraid."
My feet paused and I turned back to face him. "Jake, I'm not those things."
"Yeah," he said, catching up with me, wrapping an arm around me, and propelling me toward my door, "you are. There's this quote I've always liked. It says, 'do it trembling if you must, but do it.' To me, that sounds a whole hell of a lot like you, and the trembling part does not negate that you keep fucking doing it, Cody. Whatever 'it' you've set your mind to this time." He smirked as he paused at my door. "Especially if that 'it' is me."
"Tonight, it is," I promised as I unlocked the door and pushed it open.
He stole his hat from my hand, mine from my head, and tipped his head for me to enter first. I did, and he kicked the door closed behind us, then dropped both hats upside down on the kitchen bar. I saw as he scanned the room, but it was quiet in here, which made me think I knew where my guys were.
"So, what now?" he asked. "Need to tell them you made it back?"
I debated it for a split second, then found the easy answer. Pulling out my phone, I sent a message to our group chat.
Cody:
Made it home, have company. Taking the other bedroom. Hope that's ok?
Then I silenced my phone and headed for Jake. "Come leave your clothes on my floor, cowboy."
Stepping into him, I stole another kiss, and not just a sweet little peck. Nope, I wanted to feel the way he held me again - and he didn't disappoint. This time, both of his hands found my face, cradling it as he both kissed me and walked me backwards.
"Same room?" he asked.
