Page 39 of Punchline
“Uh… kind of, yeah?”
Another glance, this time with an upraised eyebrow. “Kind of?”
I swallowed. “I mean, it’s not what I’d usually think of for a date, but there is something kind of hot about going with you to watch some sweaty dudes fight?”
Jake coughed a laugh. “Ohreally?Are you saying—do smokers turn you on?”
Uh, had he not noticed the way I’d pounced on him in the car?
“Not the smokers, no.” I shifted in my seat again. “But I do like going to things with you, so… ”
When he looked my way this time, his eyes widened as if he’d read between the lines.
I’m not horny because of the smoker. I’m horny because of you. And maybe you should drive a little faster.
Either he heard my thoughts loud and clear or we werevery much on the same page, because the engine whined as the speedometer needle rose.
After a couple of blocks, he said, “You wanted to take things slow, right?”
“Yeah.” I licked my lips. “And I think we should. But… I also really, really want… ” I hesitated. “I don’t want to put pressure on you.”
“You’re not,” he said quickly. “I, uh… I’m good with going slow, but I’m good with jumping right in, too.” He paused. “If you want to.”
Fucking hell. I knew what I wanted to do. But I also didn’t want him to regret anything. I didn’t want to be an impulsive mistake for?—
“I bought condoms,” he blurted out.
My spine straightened. “You… you did?”
He nodded, staring pointedly straight ahead, and though it was hard to be sure the low light, I thought some color was rising in his face. When he spoke again, his voice came out hoarse. “I wanted to be prepared. Because I figured the next time I got into bed with you… ” Jake drummed his fingers on the steering wheel.
Oh fuck. I hoped none of his neighbors were outside to see me walking in from the car, because I wasn’t going to be able to hide this hard-on.
“Do you… ” I paused, cleared my throat, and tried again. “Do you want to use them? Like… tonight?”
“Yeah. I do.” No hesitation. No uncertainty. Some nerves, yeah—they came through in his voice and his fidgeting—but those were to be expected. His Adam’s apple bobbed once. “I don’t want to rush you, though.”
“I’m not the one who’s inexperienced,” I said, keeping my tone gentle. “I just don’t want to push you into something faster than you’re ready for it.”
“You’re not. I know what I want.”
I studied him for almost half a block. Then I cautiously asked, “Whatdoyou want? If you could have anything you wanted tonight… ” I gestured ahead of us. “When we get back to your place, what do you want to do?”
“I want you to fuck me. Tonight.” Again, no hesitation. No uncertainty.
Holy shit. All the air stuck in my chest. I was still reeling from the idea of us breaking out the condoms tonight in the first place. But he wanted me on top?
“Are you sure?” I asked, almost wheezing. “You don’t have to bottom the first?—”
“I want to.” He adjusted his grip on the wheel. “I want to top… eventually… but I really want… ” He swallowed again and moistened his lips. Flicking his eyes toward me, he whispered, “I know you don’t want to rush. And I don’t want to push you. But if you’re game, I want you on top.Tonight.”
“Jesus Christ,” I breathed.
He furrowed his brow. “Is that too much? Am I moving too fast for?—”
“God, no. I’ve wanted you since day one.”
The way he bit his lip made my head spin. And was I imagining the low growl he was clearly trying to hold back? Or the way the speedometer crept up a little higher?
