We talk about anything and everything over dinner. Hockey, my professional future, even touching on how much we miss our moms. It’s nice having someone to talk to about that because I haven’t had that since the six months after my mom died when Dad took me to therapy. Once he met Lourdes, everything changed. Including therapy. She said I didn’t need it—it had been over a year, after all—and Dad always listens to her, for some reason.
“Would you like to take a drive?” Bodi asks as we walk out to the car.
“Whatever you want.” I’m having a wonderful time, and the bottle of wine we shared has me feeling relaxed and amenable to anything he wants to do.
Absolutely anything.
He doesn’t say anything for a second and then reaches for my hand once he starts up his SUV.
“Want to go back to my place? The boys are out except Vik, and he won’t come out of his room. I was thinking it would be nice to just sit and chill. And that’s not code for sex, Jayne. We don’t have to rush into anything.”
Chapter
Nineteen
Bodi
Sex has always been my priority in relationships so that’s why I intend to be patient this time around.
Except Jayne surprises me.
“We’ve known each other a month,” she replies quietly. “Is that rushing?”
“Well, technically, I guess not but our situation is different and?—”
“Bodi.” She squeezes my hand, hard. “I don’t want you to treat me differently. I want you to be yourself.”
“You wouldn’t like the guy I used to be.”
“Okay, some parts of you maybe, but we know this isn’t a one-night stand. That part is different. Also, I’m a grown woman and it’s okay to want to touch me. Because I want to touch you.Desperately.”
I can’t help but snap my gaze in her direction.
She’s staring back at me with those beautiful golden eyes and I lean over to pop a quick kiss on her lips.
“I’m just trying to be a good guy,” I admit. “Not a guy just trying to get into your pants.”
“Is that the only thing you want? Because that’s okay too, as long as you’re up front and honest about it.”
“Hell no. You think I’d risk my career for sex?” I shake my head. “Not a chance. I can get laid pretty easily—I don’t need to do that with my coach’s daughter. You and I have had a spark since you ran me over at the DDS.”
She laughs. “I don’t know why you keep exaggerating the circumstances of how we met, but yes, we’ve had chemistry from that moment.”
“I might’ve gotten a black eye,” I deadpan. “I don’t know why you keep trying to minimize it.”
She reaches over and pinches my thigh. “Don’t make me hurt you, buddy.”
“Ouch.” I playfully swat her hand away.
“Just wait until I get you naked!”
“Uh uh, no way,” I joke. “I no longer trust you with the family jewels.”
“Oh, I’ll take good care of your…jewels.”
God, this feels good. A woman who can joke around and be playful and even have fun talking about sex without being crude. Most women I take out would already have my dick in their mouths.
And while that can be fun too, it’s not the dynamic between us. Or the one I want going forward.
