She nibbled on that bottom lip back and forth between her teeth. “At least let me put the hardbacks back. They’re so expensive, Bonham. I can’t let you buy me all of these books.”
Again, I leaned across the table, though this time, my hands were on top, where I could take her and intertwine our fingers like we had the first time in the bookstore.
“Did you forget? Rock star income,” I said. She snorted and shook her head. “Let me buy you the books, Jurnie. If you really don’t want me to, I won’t offer again. But I want you to know that this is something I decided before we ever even got here and if you’re worried that I’ll think you’re using me for my money, I won’t. You didn’t even know I was in a band until a couple of hours ago.”
Again, she battled with herself. I watched it take place as if I could read her mind. Since she hadn’t known who Pushing Daisies were until yesterday, there was no way for her to know how much we were making. Or even guess how much we were making. It was enough to buy her a few books and since the girls said it was swoony, I wanted to be swoony for Jurnie.
“If you’re sure. Like really sure. Super sure.”
“I’m super sure,” I told her with a smile.
As I paid, Jurnie pushed her weight from foot to foot, like this was making her uncomfortable. Fuck. That was the last thing I’d wanted to do. This was a gesture. Nothing more.
Back in the car, after I put her books in the trunk, I asked, “Did that make you uncomfortable?”
“No,” she said a little too quickly. Then she turned toward me. “It didn’t. That was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Seriously ever. But I don’t want you to think—”
“I don’t.” Since I knew exactly what she was going to say, she didn’t need to say it. “This was something Daisy and my brother’s girlfriend, Lexi, said would be swoon-worthy. Nothing more.”
When I reached out to cup her cheek, she leaned into the touch. “It was totally swoon-worthy. They were right.”
Unfortunately, I had to pull my hand back so I could drive her home, but I still held her hand, my fingers brushing against the tender skin on the inside of her thigh, all the way home. Once I pulled onto her street, she asked if I’d stop in front of the neighbors’ house. I wasn’t going to ask but assumed it had something to do with her parents. If this was what would give us a little privacy, I was all for it.
She got out of the car first, with her bag from the bookstore, which she set on the ground as she leaned against the Jeep. I came around to meet her. I’d also parked far enough away from the curb that we were both standing on the street. That, too, had been by design.
With her back against the Jeep, I rested my hands on her hips and brought us as close as I could without kissing her. I was going to kiss her but not quite yet.
“I had a really good time tonight, Jurnie. Of everyone I’ve ever met, you’re probably the easiest person to talk to.”
“I had a good time, too.” Her tongue ran over her bottom lip in anticipation of this first kiss. Her heart was beating against her chest and I could feel it. “It’s weird, right?” she asked. I gave her a questioning look. “I literally met you yesterday by accident, but it feels like I’ve known you a while. Maybe that’s just me.”
“No.” I shook my head. That was exactly how I’d been feeling. “It’s not just you. Did you have me park here so your parents couldn’t see us out the window?”
I nodded. “And my sister. She’s very invested in my dating life. She hates that my parents were so strict with me because of something she did.”
“Good to know.” I leaned in closer, running my nose up her jaw. Her breath caught again and her fingers tightened against my shoulders. “You mentioned a kiss goodnight. Is that still OK?”
“Yes.” Her voice was breathless. Damn, this girl was so responsive already. I couldn’t imagine… or maybe I could… what it’d be like to have her under me.
At first, I merely brushed my lips against hers before planting a soft kiss on the corner of her mouth. Each of my moves made her clench my shoulders harder. I’d probably have some marks there. Then I adjusted and did the same to the other side of her mouth.
Jurnie groaned and barely whispered, “You’re really mean.”
I chuckled, but my heart wasn’t into it. Instead, I released her hips and cupped her cheeks. Now was the time for the real thing.
When my lips met hers, she melted into me. I opened my mouth and ran my tongue over her bottom lip, which got her to open for me. Kissing Jurnie was like being in heaven. Or the waiting room to heaven since I’d imagine the real thing would involve both of us naked.
Her tongue was warm and tentative, but when I took the kiss deeper, all that hesitation magically vanished and she gave me as good as I was giving her.
Bringing that kiss to an end was the last thing I wanted to do. No, I’d rather keep going, toss her in my Jeep, and take her to my place.
That wasn’t in the cards for tonight. I kissed her quickly two more times before stepping back.
“Goodnight, Jurnie.”
“Goodnight.”
“I’ll wait until you’re inside the house.”
She nodded then picked her back up. As she made her way to the house, she had a hand over her lips and it didn’t look like she was watching where she was going too well. My chest puffed up a little on its own when I thought about affecting her that way. Fuck, I was glad it was me doing it.
I didn’t pull away from that curb until she was safely inside her house.
When I got home, Van and Lexi were snuggled up together on the couch watching a movie. The thing about breaking from the tour was that none of us were looking to do anything but relax. Well, maybe Mack and Daltrey were, I didn’t know. But they both had regular hookups here, so maybe they were getting their fill. But even then, it was an in-the-house project. We weren’t out partying and all that shit. We just wanted to sleep and enjoy being home.
I got changed and ready for bed. It wasn’t late, but I’d just lie in bed watching TV for a while. After our next date, and there was no question there would be a next one, I wanted to get Jurnie to come back here with me. Not for sex. Unless she wanted to, but just for the two of us to spend time together without other eyes watching us. Plus, then I could kiss her all I wanted. Or all she wanted. However, it worked out. Would’ve asked her tonight, but I wasn’t going to be a fucking creeper. Plus, tomorrow was Friday, so I assumed she’d have to work in the morning.
Thinking about her got me to open my Snapchat and send her a message. The best thing about Snapchat and why my brothers and I used it so much was that it was temporary. The message or picture disappeared and if someone screenshot it, we’d know exactly who it was.
I pulled the phone out and took a picture of myself with as much smolder as I had. Then I typed the message, Had a great time tonight. Thinking about next time.
Thirty seconds later, I got an alert that the message had been screenshot. I laughed but chose her name from my contact list.
“Hello?” she answered. Her voice was low but surprised. She probably didn’t expect to hear from me so soon.
“Did you really just screenshot that message?” I hoped she’d hear the humor in my voice. I didn’t care if she kept the picture, but it did give me an excuse to talk to her right now.