I prised myself away from Jesse, standing up and offering him my hand — not that I could pull him up. “I know all the ways to hurt Nate. I’m well practised.”
“I thought you were all about healthy relationships.” Jesse stood up and eyed me with suspicion.
“I am. My relationship with my brother is completely healthy. As long as he behaves.”
We ate, the girls trying the dozen or so different dishes that Nate had ordered from the nearby Chinese restaurant. Jesse sat opposite me, Libbie to his left, keeping him occupied with her questions about the food and then about Jude, who she had the biggest crush a six-year-old could have on someone. Rowan and Dee had turned up, walking over because their house was only ten minutes or so away from Nate’s.
It was an unexpected evening, my brother offering Jesse a lift home after the girls had gone to bed.
I went to the door with him, giving Nate a lethal glare and hoping he got the hint that I wanted a few more minutes alone with the man I was going on a date with.
Nate didn’t get the hint, but Amber did, her smile letting me know that I was going to be telling her everything afterwards.
“So Friday. I’ll pick you up at seven?”
Jesse nodded. “Seven is good. I’ll book everything.” He leaned against the door frame. “Can I text you before or do I wait until then?”
“Text me all you want. There are no rules.” I stepped closer to him. “So I can do this, too.”
I put my arms around his neck, pulling myself up to him, my lips colliding with his, starting a kiss that tasted so different from before.
Jesse’s hands went to my ass, cupping me to him, his hold the possessive one I remembered. Whatever hesitation I’d seen in the treehouse had gone.
The kiss was everything that was delicious. He took charge of it, deepening it, setting the steady rhythm, keeping me where he wanted me to be, where I wanted to be.
It ended when we heard a cough from Nate.
Jesse pulled me in closer, looking at Nate over my head. I had no idea what my brother’s expression would be, and part of me didn’t want to know. Nate wouldn’t tell me what to do, but he would at some point give me his considered opinion.
“Thanks for giving me a lift.”
Jesse’s hand was on the small of my back now.
“Not a problem. Are you ready to go?”
“Sure. See you Friday, Jerrica.” He bent his head for another quick kiss, this one PG rated.
I watched them leave, the lack of laughter making me wonder exactly what Nate would say while he was driving Jesse home. I knew he wouldn’t interfere, but I also knew that Jesse was bothered about what Nate thought and I hoped that whatever was said put both of them at ease.
I turned around to see Amber watching me with interest.
“That wasn’t planned.”
She nodded. “I figured that. When Nate came back from the treehouse, he looked like he’d just seen a ghost.”
“What did he say?”
Her smile was devilish. “I’ll only tell you if you tell me exactly what happened with Jesse.”
I folded my arms, closing the front door and following Amber back into the kitchen. She might not be able to drink the wine, but I could. I poured myself a generous glass and made the most of looking at her while I sipped it.
“Stop teasing and tell me about Jesse. I thought it was just a holiday hook-up.” She eased herself down into the chair she’d taken to sitting in, mainly because it was easier for her to press herself out of.
“It was. But it seems he’s changed his mind. He bought those books for me as a gift and asked me out on a date on Friday.”
“How do you feel about him changing his mind? I get that you like him, but do you not think he might mess you about?”
I knew where Amber was coming from. Her ex, from a few years ago, had been an arsehole to her, and before Nate she’d been adamant she’d never be involved with another football player.
