Page 36 of In For a Penny
He looks me straight in the eye and says, “No, because you have no idea how great it could be if you just fucking relaxed. I say this for your own good. You’re wound too tight. And I’m serious when I say that I can help you.”
I scoff. “What? Do you have some magic dick or something? A universal panacea to everything that’s wrong with me?”
I stare back at him. I don’t doubt his sexual prowess, exactly—I get the feeling that he’s not one of those guys who’s overcompensating and talks a big game—but it’s more because I just need a fucking friend now. I don’t need to sleep with someone. The boys I promised Allie I would flirt with do not include my new school friends.
He shrugs. “I don’t know about a magical dick or anything, but I do know that we’ve become close friends and I know you, Penny. Enough for me to vehemently believe that fucking you will make you feel better.”
I roll my eyes. “You mean it will makeyoufeel better.”
“That too,” he says with a wicked smile.
“Sex doesn’t cure broken hearts, you know,” I say.
“No, but it helps pass the time while they mend. Think about it.”
Oliver maintains eye contact, and we don’t say anything to each other as we reach our final stop. He closes his eyes and shakes his head with a huff. “You don’t even see yourself, do you?” We get up at the same time and walk out of the train, his hand on my lower back, as I realize something with horror:Fuck. He’s piqued my curiosity. Dammit.
The music is good, andmy body is rocking from side to side. Not quite sure what’s happening or how many drinks I’ve had. Everything is kind of a blur. Music is good, good, good.
Thump, thump, thump.
Someone hands me another vodka soda. I think? He looks familiar.
I’ve had so many drinks…
Thump, thump, thump.
Is that the drummer or my heart?
This vodka soda doesn’t taste like anything.
“What is this?” I say to the shadow. He smells good…mmmm…like fruit. Manly fruit. Yummy manly fruit.
“Drink it. It’s good for you,” the man replies.
Thump, thump, thump.
“I think I’m drunk,” I say to the shadow, and he laughs.
“Yeah, just a bit.”
I smile and close my eyes, sipping the cold drink through the straw, swaying side to side.
I hear the familiar sounds of a guitar, and my eyes fly open eagerly. Jane’s boyfriend’s band has played a combination of original songs and covers all night, and this one I know. I jump excitedly as the guitar intro starts, and so does the shadow and others around me…
Coming out of my cage
And I’ve been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all....
My drink has spilled all over the floor as I move to my favorite song by The Killers, and I feel an arm snake around my waist, holding me tight.
We move together, swaying side to side, my eyes closed, feeling him feel me. One hand travels down my back, another up my ribcage... I'm breathing faster, and I feel this man's broad shoulders underneath my hands. He feels good. He feels fucking amazing. He smells different than the shadow—citrus.
It started off with a kiss
