Page 82 of The First Time
I nod.
Mal too.
Joel gives Piper a once over. "Shit, where are you going after this?"
She does look amazing in her tight black dress. It's cut low enough to show off her lacy bra. Her hair is hanging over her shoulders in careful waves. Her makeup brings out her blue eyes and her soft pink lips.
Fuck, the places those lips could be...
"Isn't there an after-party?" she asks.
"You look cute." Mal hugs her hello. "But you can't stay too late. It's a school night."
She laughs. "I hate to admit it, but Mal is right. I have a test tomorrow. Anyone know where I can find coffee?" Her eyes fix on mine. "You have any secret java, Kit?"
Joel looks from her to me then back to her. Something flares in his grey-green eyes—some realization I don't like.
He keeps his voice even. "The hotel's around the corner. Some of the crew is already hanging out. Why don't you meet us there?"
"Okay." She looks up at me. "Anyone else coming?"
"Yeah." I bite my tongue. I have enough self-control to walk her to the hotel.
Piper's eyes light up but she plays cool. "Joel? Mal?"
"Nah, I want to catch the headliner's set." Joel looks to me. "Don't you?"
"I'd rather have coffee," I say.
Joel stays incredulous, but he doesn't call us on anything.
After a few rounds of goodbyes, Piper and I make our way to the side door.
The air is warm. The sky is dark except for a big, silver moon.
Piper walks next to me. The back of her hand brushes mine. Her eyes are nervous but her voice is even. "Do you know the way?"
"Yeah. It's a few blocks." I direct her around the corner. "How is school?"
"Almost over. I can't wait for it to be over. There's a lot I want to do this summer."
There's a lot I want to do right now. No. Just her. But there's a lot I want to do to her.
I want her against the wall of that building, her dress at her waist, her legs wrapped around my shoulders—
Fuck, I need to get laid.
It's been six months now. Maybe seven.
I've had chances. A lot of them. But every time a woman propositions me, I think of Piper's earnest blue eyes and her sweet smile and—
Fuck, I need to stop thinking about her like this.
I shake it off as we walk into the lobby. It's a nice place, sleek and modern with egg shaped furniture in shades of grey.
"I missed you." She bites her lip. "I mean seeing you. Texting and talking on the phone isn't the same."
I nod and lead her into the elevator.
