Page 143 of Choosing You

“But that guy wasreallychecking me out. Which is disgusting because he has a daughter my age.”

“Well, you never have to see him again. So anyway, I was thinking we should go somewhere. It’s only 10. Do you want to get dessert? We could stop at the diner by campus.”

“Dressed like this?”

“Sure. Why not?”

“Okay. But I’m not getting that giant sundae this time.”

The diner is the one he took me to my first day on campus. We shared this huge sundae that could easily feed four or five people.

After stopping for dessert, we go back to campus and up to his room. As he opens the door, he kisses me and we keeping kissing as we move inside his room. His one hand grips my waist as the other one shuts the door.

He slides my coat off, letting it drop to the floor, then takes the scarf from my neck. I feel his hands touch the skin on my back and a tingling sensation rushes through me. I’m really loving this backless dress thing.

After a few minutes, he breaks away from the kiss to take off his coat and tuxedo jacket. Then he turns on the blue ceiling lights and comes back, stopping for a moment to look at me. “Did I tell you how gorgeous you look in that dress?”

“Yes, Garret. You’ve told me several times. I’m starting to think I must look really bad all the other times you’ve seen me.”

He laughs. “No. I don’t mean it like that. You always look good, but it’s nice to see you in something other than a black or white t-shirt.”

“Well, I didn’t think I’d ever wear purple but I really like this dress. I guess I likedarkpurple or plum or whatever this is.” I glance down at the fabric.

His hand cups my cheek. I lift my head to see him gazing at me. “You’re so beautiful, Jade.”

I look away. “You don’t need to keep saying that. I’m not beautiful. I’m not even that pretty. And I’m fine with that because I’m not really into my looks. I mean, I care how I look but I’m not obsessed with it, I just—” I stop because I realize I’m rambling on like an idiot. I’m not at all good at accepting compliments. Probably because I don’t get them very often.

Garret turns my face back toward his. “I hate to break this to you, Jade, but you’re more than pretty. You’re beautiful.” He kisses me. “And gorgeous.” His lips travel down my neck. “And sexy.” His mouth trails back up to my ear and his voice drops to just above a whisper. “And so. Damn. Hot.”

He brings his lips back to mine and gives me a kiss that’s even better than the one we had in the pool a week ago. I slip my heels off as we continue to kiss. He slowly leads us over to his bed.

As we lie down next to each other, I wonder if he thinks we’re going to have sex. We’re officially dating now so maybe he thinks it’s time. I know we haven’t done much more than kiss up till now, but maybe he just wants to skip all the in-between stuff and move straight to the sex. I really wish he would tell me. I know it’s supposed to be spontaneous, something that just happens, but I’m too much of a sex newbie for that. I need to know if it’s going to happen or not. Otherwise, I’ll keep worrying about it.

I stop kissing him. “Are we having sex tonight?” Someone else must have taken over my brain because it just comes out without warning.

He pulls back a little and laughs. “What? Where did that come from?”

“I’m not sure. Just answer the question.”

“No. We’re not having sex.”

“Why not?” I say it as if I’m offended by his answer. I swear, sometimes I can’t even understand my own brain. First I’m worried he wants sex and now I’m mad because he doesn’t?

“Jade, I told you before. I don’t want to rush things. We have plenty of time. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Okay.” I take a deep breath and let it out.

“You seem relieved. Did you think I was going to make you have sex tonight?”

“No.” My eyes dart away. “I mean, maybe.”

“Hey.” He waits for my eyes to return to his. “I’ll never pressure you into anything, okay? We’re not going to have sex just becauseIwant to. We have to both want that.”

I sit up slightly. “Idowant it. I’m just not ready yet. I’m not experienced like you.” Again, the private thoughts in my head somehow escape out my mouth.

“I don’t care that you haven’t had a ton of experience. I like that about you. Besides, you really don’t need much experience. Sex isn’t that complicated. It’s what comes after the sex that’s complicated.”

“Yeah. That’s true,” I say, wondering if, or how, our relationship will change once we finally do it. “Garret, can I ask you something?”

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