“Hmm.” I tap my thumb against the steering wheel, enjoying this way too much. “Because it kinda sounds like jealousy.”
She shoots me a scandalized look. “It isn’t. I just— it was noticeable, that’s all.”
I take my hand out of hers and rest it on her thigh, giving it a squeeze. “Okay,” I say. “Then let me make something else…noticeable.”
I pull the car over to the side of the road so I can have her complete attention. “One of the reasons I wanted to take you out today is because I wanted to talk to you,” I tell her. “To make something clear.”
She turns toward me fully, waiting with her pretty brown eyes locked on mine.
“I haven’t thought about another woman since the night I met you at Replay.” Her lips part just slightly. “I’m not interested in random girls at bars. I’m not touching anyone else. I’m not even looking at anyone else. When I’m into someone, I’m only into them.” I hold eye contact, my thumb stroking her thigh once. “And right now? I’m only into you.”
Her inhale is shaky, but then she grabs my hoodie and drags me toward her, covering my mouth with hers. Her hands curl into the fabric of my shirt. The kiss hits hard, but notrushed, slow enough that it sinks under my skin and deep enough that before I can even think about it, I’ve pulled her into my lap. Her lips part and her tongue brushes mine in soft, teasing strokes. I move my hand to the nape of her neck, swallowing the sound she makes in the back of her throat. For a moment, I forget what we were just talking about. All that exists are her warm, lingering kisses and her pelvis rutting over my hardening cock.
A groan tears out of my chest before I can stop it.
“Mads,” I whisper.
She looks back at me, lips swollen, eyes wide. “As much as I love getting you naked in public places,” I murmur, brushing my thumb over the corner of her kiss-bruised mouth, “the side of the road is a little different than my brother’s downstairs bathroom. We can’t be arrested for public indecency.”
A breathless laugh escapes her. “You’re right. I wasn’t made for prison.”
“Yeah,” I grin. “Bet you’d look hot in that orange jumpsuit, though.”
Her head falls against my shoulder as she laughs. I lower my lips to the crown of her head. “Let me take you somewhere I can actually touch you without getting arrested.”
“I’m good with that.”
I pull back onto the road, my hand finding hers again in her lap. I’m genuinely surprised I’m able to drive with a hard-on. I try to get my situation under control, but I’m rock hard and not sure how I’m going to will my raging cock to settle down.
I didn’t expect this afternoon to start off quite this good, but I’ll take it.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Madeline
After everything that has happened over the last week, the car ride with Jesse feels like stepping out of a storm and straight into sunlight.
I didn’t realize how tightly my body had been wound until I kissed Jesse on the side of the road and every worry simply fell out of my head. He has a way of doing that. He flips some impulsive switch in me, and I find myself doing things that surprise me.
“Come on,” he murmurs when he parks in front of a cute little coffee shop. “Let’s get some caffeine before I take you to one of my favorite places.”
The bell jingles overhead as we step inside. The scent of cinnamon, steamed milk, and warm chocolate hits me. Instant comfort. Jesse slips my hand into his as we walk to the counter and place our order. A few minutes later, we’re sitting at a corner table with two steaming mochas and a still-warm chocolate brownie between us.
Jesse sits back in his chair and tilts his head, eyes glinting. “Come here,” he says.
“Come where?” I ask, sticking my fork into the dessert.
“Here. You’re too far away from me. I need you closer.”
I laugh. “How much closer can I be? Our knees are touching,” I tell him, sticking the fork into my mouth, totally aware of his eyes on me. He smirks, then in one smooth, quick move, he leans forward, grabs me by my hips and lifts me off my chair, settling me in his lap. A startled gasp escapes me when his arms pull me back against his chest.
“Oh my God, Jesse—what are you doing?”
“Be a good girl, Mads,” he murmurs against my hair, arms sliding around my middle, locking me against him. “I’ve been in a car with you for half an hour without getting to touch you. Let me have you for a minute. I’m making up for lost time.”
I’m not sure how I’ll ever get over how easily he says things like that. From anyone else, it might sound ridiculous, but from Jesse, it just lands.
He runs his nose along the shell of my ear, and I giggle, the warmth of him seeping straight into my spine, outweighing the discomfort I feel at public displays of affection.
