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I probably should have taken her to the city or back to my place for more privacy but if I get her alone I won’t be able to resist those tempting lips. Delaney needs handled with care. I know she’s a virgin. That makes this all the more sweeter. Knowing that no man has ever touched her and that I’ll be her first and only.
Chapter Nine
“Don’t move,” Pike says, jumping out of his truck and rushing around to open the door for me.
I grin at him. “Who knew you were so well mannered?”
“Only with you. I have a reputation to hold up with everyone else.”
“The perpetual playboy,” I tease at his manwhore status, and my stomach drops at the thought of him with other girls. I’ve seen him with other people. I would hear him making out with the girls he’d sneak over when I would spend the night with Talia. I’m not dumb enough to think that I’m special, but in my dreams, I pretend Pike has been saving himself for me as I have him. It’s stupid and childish, but I’ve always imagined him being my first and now that may actually be a reality. I’m terrified, but oh so ready. I recall what Talia said about making him work for it, but I’m more than ready to be with Pike.
I need it to be him.
I need to be his even if it’s only for a night and he breaks my heart after. At least I’d finally know if the reality of him lives up to my fantasies.
He takes my hand, and we walk down the sidewalk where everyone can see that for tonight I’m his girl. I can’t stop smiling and have long forgotten all about Sally and those stupid flowers.
“What?” Pike nudges me with his shoulder as we stand in line to get our tickets.
“Everyone is staring at us.”
“Not at me. They’re looking at you. Gorgeous.”
I shake my head.
“Two for Hatchet Face.” Pike purchases our tickets and leads me to the heavily overpriced snack counter. “Two Cokes, a large popcorn with––”
“Extra butter,” the guy working the counter finishes and I notice the muscle in Pike’s cheek tics. “I recognize you. You always get an extra squirt of butter.” He smiles and then asks, “Any candy? You like gummy worms, right?”
Pike’s grip on my hand tightens, and I smile at him. “Let’s go with strawberry gum for after. I hate the aftertaste. Wouldn’t want to have bad breath. I already had some gummy worms on the drive here.” What I don’t tell him is that if Pike kisses me, I don’t want my lips to taste like butter, but my guy catches my drift because he seems to relax the death grip on my hand.
The geeky kid with an acne riddled face behind the counter serves us our drinks then fills our bucket of popcorn, going extra heavy on the butter.
“I’m thrilled to be here with you,” I remind Pike to break his attention off the kid behind the counter. Surely, he isn’t jealous of that pimply teenager.
“Me too, Dels. Me too.” He captures my face between his hands. “God, you’re so pretty.”
I lick my lips and close my eyes in anticipation. Sure, the snack counter at the movie theater isn’t ideal for our first kiss, but with Pike I’ll take what I can get.
“That’ll be fifty-five seventy-five,” the snack attendant interrupts, and I see a hint of anger flash across Pike’s features as his brows drawn inward and his mouth turns tight. Though I’m a little miffed myself because I was sure he was about to kiss me. He releases me to pull his wallet from his back pocket. He slaps some bills on the counter, and I grab the gum. I swear the prices of the snacks get more expensive every time I come here. It’s why it’s rare, or at least if I’m the one paying that I buy any. Talia usually always pays for me. Even if I tell her not to. She just shushes me and hands over the money. While I cringe at the cost.
Pike gets our drinks and the popcorn. I slip a finger through one of the belt loops of his jeans to keep up as he leads me to theater three. We take our seats in the middle, not too far back and not too close. I was sure he was going to pick the back row so he could feel me up. Part of me is disappointed that he didn’t. Pike probably thinks I’m not that kind of girl and that’s true when it comes to other guys. Not that I’ve had much opportunity to date. I’ve never made it past the first one and some didn’t even make it to my door to pick me up. I can’t even recount the number of times I’ve been stood up in the past. Pike is different, though. For him, I’d be willing to do anything he wants.
I’m ready for him to make his move on me.
More than ready.
He slides an arm around my shoulder and holds the popcorn between his legs. Every time I reach for some I worry I am going to accidentally grab him instead. Maybe I should, to let him know that if he makes a move, I’m game. Being Pike’s girl is something I have dreamed of but never thought was possible.
“You comfortable?”
“Perfect.” There is nowhere I would rather be than here with him.
The lights turn down and the previews start. Butterflies flutter in my lower belly, threatening to carry me away. Anticipation curls in my gut. WIll I finally get my wish of kissing Pike tonight? I watch him from the corner of my eye, not paying a bit of attention to the screen. Right now, I only have eyes for him. I forget about Sally and that strange feeling that has been haunting me. I push away all negative thoughts as his gaze catches mine and he smiles.
“If I forget to tell you later, I’m having a great time.”
“You’re sweeter than my candy,” he says, but he still doesn’t kiss me.
