“Okay?” Her brows pinched in confusion.
Jake simply nodded before stepping forward and walking past her. This time, he didn’t hide the smile when he heard her footsteps as she chased after him.
“What do you think you’re doing?” She grabbed his bicep, fingers briefly digging into his skin before dropping her hand like she’d been scalded. The brief touch made his cock twitch with awareness, reminding him of how it felt when she’d gripped him in the throes of passion.
“I’m walking. What does it look like I’m doing?” He looked at her over his shoulder, eyebrow cocked.
“You don’t live this way.”
“How do you know where I live? Stalking me?” He curled his lips, fighting the urge to grin at how her cheeks darkened at his taunting. Anger? Embarrassment?
“I am definitely not stalking you!”
“Then how do you know where I live?” he volleyed back.
“You are so annoying.” Gia stomped away from him, once again leading the way.
For the few minutes it took Gia to calm down, he admired the view, trailing behind her at a short distance as if he had not a single care in the world. From the way her dark hair glinted with the fading sunlight to the curve of her shoulders, slender hips, and pert behind. The tight-fitting black leggings, ending right aboveher ankles, showcased her shapely legs. She’d worn her shirt tied in a knot at the bottom in a stylish way, giving him glimpses of her toned stomach.
She looked good enough to eat. His jeans were getting snug, which made walking uncomfortable. When the tension finally left her tightly coiled body, he widened his steps so they were walking side by side. He kept his hands tucked in his pockets as they walked in silence.
Willowbrook was a beautiful town. Tonight, as the sun retreated over the mountains, it cast shades of pink, purple, and orange across the darkening sky. The sun’s retreat brought the cooler temperatures of autumn. Soon enough, the leaves would start to fall and make way for the cold winter. His least favorite season.
“For what it’s worth, I’m happy you’re back. I know your family is too.” Voice low, Jake kept his eyes in front of them. Gia didn’t respond. The only sign she gave that she heard him was the way her crossed arms tightened involuntarily around her.
“Me too,” Gia whispered, though he heard it as clearly as if she’d shouted it. His heartbeat quickened at her admission.
“Remember when Thao tried to learn how to skateboard off those side rails?” Jake pointed at the small park across the street.
Gia glanced at where he pointed, her eyes roaming the park as if she were seeing the memory as it replayed in her mind’s eye. The corners of her lips turned up in a small smile.
“Yeah. And went home crying about how the side rails came out of nowhere and attacked him.” Gia threw her head back and laughed, head shaking slightly from side to side.
“And your mom told him he was being a baby, so he asked her to hold him like one.” Jake chuckled.
“Remember that time he told us mushrooms grew wherever dogs peed, so none of us could look at mushrooms the same way afterward?”
“I never liked mushrooms.”
“Me neither.”
Silence fell between them as they rounded the corner to her parents’ house. This time, things didn’t feel so taut between them. Instead, it felt familiar. Like old friends catching up. Their fingertips grazed each other, and he wrapped a pinky finger around hers. The charge from the contact shot all the way to his cock, which made it increasingly difficult to walk normally.
Their steps slowed as her front steps loomed. Feet dragging to the front door, Jake turned to Gia. With the sun setting behind her, she looked ethereal. Dark strands of her hair escaped her ponytail, framing her heart-shaped face, and his hands itched to pull her in for a kiss. Instead, he studied her brown eyes as she stared up at him. Gently, he brought a hand up to tuck a loose strand behind her ear, letting his fingers linger on her face.
Jake leaned his head down. Gia closed her eyes as if expecting his next move.
Does she want me to kiss her?
Her body language suggested it, but knowing he couldn’t rush things despite how badly he wanted a taste of her, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead instead. He leaned in close, breathing in her floral scent, then pulled away.
“Good night, Gia.” He shoved his fists into his pockets and rocked back on his heels, resisting the urge to yank her into his chest and kiss her the way he really wanted to.
Gia’s eyelids fluttered open, shock registered across her face.
“Oh. Um. Good night.” Gia cleared her throat. Opening the front door, she looked at him over her shoulder and offered him a small smile. “Thanks for walking me home.”
Jake nodded and waited until she was inside her house before making his way back to the sidewalk. He hoped it hadn’t been a mistake not to kiss her, but he was going to do things right this time.
