“Humiliated you?” I ask, trying to make sense of the situation, but she just sighs, biting the inside of her cheek.
“Just forget about it, Cole. We’re not doing this. I’m here to do my job. Please don’t get in the way of that before I’ve even gotten the chance to show everyone what I’m capable of.” She attempts to close her door, but I jam a foot in before it closes.
“Jenna, come on.” I push the door open, refusing to let this go without some sort of resolution.
“Why are you trying so hard? Why do youcare? Am I the first woman to ever tell you ‘no’?” She taps her foot on the hardwood floor, waiting patiently for me to say something, but I hesitate. “Cat got your tongue, Cole? Or are you just not used to a woman telling you she isn’t interested?” Her body relaxes slightly.
“I don’t believe that for a second.” I take a step closer to her, into her apartment, the door still wide open, her chest rising and falling heavily at the nearness between us.
“But you still haven’t told me why you—”
Before I can stop myself, I take the final step and our chests crash together, her door slamming shut behind me, my fingers threading into her hair at the back of her head. My forehead rests firmly on hers, lips hovering a fingernail apart. “Can I…?” I ask, because while I want to kiss her as badly as I do, I need her to want me just as much, and I need to hear her admit it, to agree to it. And she does, with a simple nod.
Cupping the side of her face with my other hand, my thumb caresses her cheek when our mouths collide, a soft moan leaving her lips, swallowed up by our kiss.
My tongue teases the edge of her lips before sweeping into her mouth, gliding across her tongue. I feel her heart pounding against my chest, matching the erratic rhythm of mine.
I pull away from her reluctantly, and she whimpers at the break in contact, but I need her to need me.
I need her tobegfor me.
And I won’t get that from her if I just hand it to her.
Her black, painted fingernails find her pink pouty lips, a little fuller than normal, no doubt missing the feeling of mine against hers when I take a step back.
Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes are glazed over.
“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.” I smile, genuinely, this time. There’s no hint of arrogance or sarcasm left for me to display.
Turning, I open her door and make my way to the elevator when I hear her soft voice from behind me. “Hey, Cole?”
I know it’s taking everything in her to say aloud whatever it is she’s about to.
“Yeah?” I ask, pressing theupbutton, waiting for the doors to open for me.
“Next time you want to kiss me, just do it, okay? Don’t fucking ask, or you risk me saying no. You’re my boyfriend, right?”
I nod.
“Then act like it.” She opens her door quickly, and I laugh to myself as she hurries inside, slamming it shut behind her.
Noted.
Chapter sixteen
Jenna
The flowers.
I didn’t ask for those.
But the kiss, I did.
And they both left me feeling the same way.
Irritated.
I told him he could kiss me, and when he did, it left me desperate for more.
