Page 66 of Only This Once
“Hey. Look at me.”
He did as she asked, and she stroked his cheek.
“You’re totally going to date and do these things with a girlfriend.” She needed to help him pick up a girl soon and filed the thought away for later. “But I really liked being the one to do that to you. You know that, right?” She snorted, looking down at her naked legs. “I mean, I got wet from sucking you off. I was definitely into it, Jinx. The sounds you make when you let go are sexy as hell.”
His cheeks flushed, which was a much better look on him.
“I do need to get to work, though. You do, too, right? What time do you go in?”
He glanced at the clock, and his eyes widened. “Oh, no. I didn’t bring my scrubs here. There’s no way I’ll make it back to Charles’s house and then to work on time.”
She shrugged. “We’re the same height. Use some of my scrubs if you want.” She dragged her shaky legs off the bed, reaching for the well-used dildo. “I’ll clean this and take a quick shower. I’m running late, too.”
They both rushed to get ready. At the door twenty minutes later, after she had locked up behind them, she turned and kissed him one more time.
“I’ll be thinking about you all day today. Thanks for letting me do that.”
He shook his head. “I think you have that backwards, Jules.” His hand slid into her cap of hair, and he stroked along her neck with his thumb. “Thank you for showing me how it could be. I’ll always remember it.”
Her pulse fluttered under his thumb at the words. Her chest grew too tight all of a sudden. “That sounds like a goodbye. We’re still friends, right, Jinx?”
“Always.” He leaned forward, kissing her nose. His smile was soft and sweet when he pulled away. “Now go on. We really will be late to work.”
She already was but didn’t want to admit it. She’d never been late to work before, but no part of her regretted it when what they’d done had put that smile on his face.
Chapter 19
Jesse sat at the bar with Julia, fiddling with a coaster as she ordered them both ginger ales.
“It’s actually a good thing you don’t drink,” she said, turning back to him while the bartender pulled their sodas. “People say they need liquid courage, but it dulls the senses. You need to be able to pay attention to figure out if the person you’re talking to is someone you want to spend more time with.” She thanked the bartender, declining to open a tab and tipping the man well.
Jesse wondered if the bartender was her type. He had a tattoo sleeve and a close-shaven head, with a piercing in his eyebrow. The bartender’s eyes lingered on Julia, and Jesse couldn’t blame him.
She’d poured herself into black jeans with a top that showed off the upper slopes of her breasts and had zippers down the sides. It almost looked like she wore two shirts, with the black-and-white striped under layer clinging to her breasts and drawing the eye right to them, in case the dangling star necklacebrushing her cleavage hadn’t already done that. Matching earrings and black heels that looked like her feet were in bondage added to the effect.
Julia had always looked good in black. Her hair was the only thing different from his memory, short and brown and soft-looking now.
Julia nudged his soda closer to his hand. “Relax, Jinx. You can do this.” Her eyes traced where his collar was open, watching as he swallowed. “You look good. Women are going to be interested in you, I promise.”
When she’d surprised him after work by showing up at Charles’s house, she’d had him change into his blue button-down shirt from their date night, paired with jeans this time. She’d said the color worked for him, and the way her eyes slid over his body had made him all warm inside.
For one heady moment, he’d thought Julia was asking him out on a date. Only it wasn’t a date. As she drove them to a bar far away from the hospital, she began giving him pointers for picking up girls.
Julia wanted to help him find someone else.
Tonight was going to be hell. He’d resigned himself to being friend-zoned, but that didn’t mean watching it in action didn’t hurt. He dreaded what was to come. Although, since she was his ride, he wouldn’t have to worry about her going home with another guy. Julia would never leave him in the lurch.
She glanced past his shoulder and leaned in slightly. “Here’s your first chance. No ring, and she’s a cutie.”
Jesse couldn’t concentrate, not with Julia’s breath caressing his cheek like that.
“She even glanced your way,” she murmured, then straightened. She grabbed her ginger ale, taking a deep drink before standing from the barstool. “I need to hit the ladies’ room,” she said, then to his horror, she leaned past him to grabthe woman’s attention. “Would you mind keeping my friend company while I’m gone?”
Jesse turned, his cheeks burning as he took in the woman’s quick smile.
She had blonde hair that swung just under her chin, and warm brown eyes that studied him with interest. “I guess I don’t mind.” She held out a hand with short nails painted a cherry red. “I’m Claire.”
He took her hand in a quick shake. “Jesse,” he said, clearing his throat after.
