I already admitted I was a dick, right?
Vanessa’s smile fades. “Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person. She was a bitch, and I happen to think karma was at work that night.”
“They were all bitches,” I admit, slinging my arm around her shoulder. “And we were dicks for not defending you.”
Vanessa’s reckless behavior didn’t win her any fans. The girls chose not to associate with her because she was such a hot mess. They enjoyed ridiculing her any chance they got. Guys ran a mile because she exuded scary clinger vibes. Didn’t stop most of them from wetting their dicks in her pussy, but she was tossed to the curb after they got what they wanted.
We could’ve done more.
Should’ve done more.
But we were pissed Hunt’s dad kept foisting her on us, insisting we hang out with her and look after her, and we tended to do the opposite. She was annoying to be around. Always drunk or high or pawing at us. Hunt was the most patient, but even he struggled to deal with her when she was out of control.
Like I said, we were dicks.
She shrugs, but I know if it wasn’t so dark out I’d see hurt written all over her face. I need to lighten the sudden tense atmosphere. “But seriously, what’s a guy to do to get you naked?”
She shoves me off, but she’s grinning. “You’re an asshole.”
“Never said I wasn’t.”
“But you’re also a good guy, Jackson.”
Yeah, I’m so not. Something twists and turns in my gut, and it feels a lot like guilt.
Her amusement transforms as she looks at me with serious eyes. “I see the good in you, and whatever baggage you’re carrying because of what happened to Dani, you should let it go. That’s not on you. You were a great brother, and she adored you.”
“We should head back. It’s getting late, and you have work tomorrow.” Her words are cutting too close to the bone, and I need to shut this shit down now.
We wade out of the water, retrieve our shoes, and head back to my car.
_______________
“I’ll walk you to your door,” I offer after I’ve parked at the curb alongside the diner and killed the engine. I still can’t believe she lives in a tiny hovel over her place of work, but I’ve kept those thoughts to myself.
I’m trying to woo her, not piss her off.
Although, I wasn’t lying when I said I admired her. She’s taken the shitty hand she’s been dealt, and she’s trying to make the best of it. I admire her strength and her determination, and I never would’ve believed she had it in her, but she has changed.
Vanessa giggles, and the sound does funny things to my insides. “I think I can manage.”
“I’m trying to be a gentleman here,” I quip.
“Perhaps, you should avoid talking about how to get me naked in that case,” she teases.
“Duly noted.” I brush my thumb along one side of her face, and she visibly shivers. “Wait there. I’ll get the door.”
I climb out, rounding the hood of my SUV and opening the door for her. I take her hand and help her out.
We hold hands as I walk her to her door, and I find myself wishing the night wasn’t coming to an end.
But that’s exactly why it should.
She stops at her door, turning to face me. “Thank you for a wonderful first date, Jackson. I had a really great time.”
“It’s my pleasure, Nessa.” I move in closer until our chests brush.
She tilts her head up, pinning me with those hypnotizing baby blues.
“Would you be up for a second date, and possibly a third, and maybe more?” I rub my nose along the side of hers, smiling as she gasps.
“I’d like that,” she whispers, her warm breath fanning across my cheek. The subtle scent of her light floral perfume wafts around me, and I’ve a sudden, unexpected urge to bundle her into my arms and hold her tight. If I didn’t know her rep, I’d mistake her for a sweet, virginal princess. But I do know her rep, and she’s as far removed from an innocent virgin as you can get.
“I’ll text you,” I promise, easing back a little to look at her. Her face is still angled toward me, her eyes swimming in expectation. Slowly, I lower my face, lining our mouths up, staring into her eyes, giving her a way out, before I close that last tiny gap between us and brush my lips against hers.
Her eyes shutter, and she presses into me as my arms circle her slim waist. I tilt my head to the side and plant my lips more firmly on hers, deepening the kiss as I hold her close. She kisses me back with the same skill and enthusiasm, and my cock strains painfully against my zipper. I moan into her mouth as my hands leave her waist, traveling up her body and winding into her beautiful hair.
She tastes divine, like liquid temptation and a tangible slice of heaven. Lust thunders through my veins, and the need to consume her rides me hard. Damn, her kisses are addictive, and her mouth fits against mine with ease, like we were made for one another.
That thought has me breaking the kiss before it can turn into anything else.
“You want to come up?” she asks in a breathy tone.
Fuck yes.
Hell no.
“Not tonight, babe.” I cup her cheeks firmly. Hurt and disappointment wage war on her face. I kiss her softly, just once, because I don’t trust myself right now. “I want to, Nessa. So bad, but I want to do this right.” I peer into her eyes. “You’re not the only one with little experience in dating.” As the words leave my mouth, I realize how much we have in common. It makes me uncomfortable, but I press on. “You deserve to be romanced and cherished and worshiped.”
Her disappointment flees, replaced with bright excitement.
And I feel like the biggest dick.
CHAPTER FOUR
Vanessa
“WHEN CAN I meet the hottie?” Chloe asks me the next day at work. We’re sitting outside in the back alley, enjoying lunch al fresco.
“If he’s still around in a few weeks, I’ll introduce you.”
“Don’t do that.” She shakes her head. “Don’t assume he won’t stick around.”
“You don’t know him, and you don’t really know me.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She arches a brow, stabbing a piece of chicken like it has offended her.
“Jackson was a total manwhore back in the day, and I …” I worry my lip between my teeth. I don’t want Chloe thinking less of me, but I don’t want to hide the truth either, because friends should be honest with one another, right? “I was a total slut,” I admit.
“For the record, I despise those labels.” She jabs the air with her fork. “So what if you were both sexually promiscuous? Provided it was consensual, there’s no harm in it.”
I carefully school my features so I give nothing away. “It doesn’t exactly bode well for a relationship. Both of us are novices.” I remember girls bragging about dates with Jackson, but I can’t recall anyone going out with him more than once or twice. His dating record is almost as bad as mine.
“You can learn together.” She takes a drink of her soda. “And stop putting yourself down. I’ve noticed you do that a lot. You’re a great catch, Van. Jackson is lucky to be dating you.”