Page 30 of Hot and Bothered
“I’ve just never…” I trailed off, hoping he’d get my meaning, but he just looked at me patiently, waiting for me to continue. “Aside from kissing a few boys in school, I’ve never done any of this before.”
His eyes went wide.
“You mean, never?” he asked. “Not even with—?”
“Especially not with Jacob,” I said, shaking my head fervently. “I never felt anything like this for him. I’ve never felt anything like this for anyone. Until you.” I lifted my head to meet his eyes. “I know it might seem stupid and old fashioned, but I was always taught I should wait for my husband. My parents were so overprotective and I never wanted to do anything that would upset them. Before Jacob, I’d barely even dated at all. This is all just so new to me.”
Evan’s eyes went soft. He pulled me close and pressed a kiss to the very center of my forehead.
“I understand,” he said. “We don’t have to move fast. We can take as much time as you need.”
Tears did fill my eyes then. I threw my arms around his neck and clung to him.
“How are you so patient, and kind, and— and just perfect?” I blurted.
He chuckled and cupped the back of my head, letting me bury my face in his neck.
“I suppose I’ve had lots of practice,” he said wryly.
I made a questioning noise, but he just shook his head.
“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “I just want you to know that there’s no pressure. I don’t want to rush you into anything until you’re ready.”
“I really do like you,” I said. “And I really do want to—” I cut myself off with a flush. He was right. If I couldn’t even say the words out loud, I clearly wasn’t ready.
But Evan was patient. And he was kind. And he was willing to wait.
He was willing to wait for me.
13
“You made that dress yourself?” I asked Lizzy.
“She sure did,” Evan answered. “This bar thing is only Lizzy’s part-time gig as she works on her own fashion line. Give Alice a little show,” he urged.
Lizzy twirled around so I could see the whole outfit, front to back. It was a skater dress style with a zig-zag striped pattern.
“It’s super cute,” I told her.
“You like it?” she asked, sounding pleased. “It’s one of the pieces I’m going to use for a photoshoot. Grant’s taking the pictures, of course.” Lizzy gave her boyfriend a fond look as he prepared his work station at the other end of the bar.
“Grant’s a photographer?” I asked.
“He does a lot of work for magazines,” Lizzy nodded. “He’s had his stuff in some art gallery showings, too.”
“That’s incredible,” I said. “Everyone here has some kind of amazing talent.”
I hadn’t meant to sound so despondent, but Evan heard it in my voice anyway. He threw an arm around my shoulders.
“Don’t feel bad,” he said. “Mason’s shit at everything.”
“I heard that,” Mason called out from the back.
Evan just grinned.
We hadn’t said anything to the others about us yet. I wasn’t sure exactly what there was to tell. Evan said we’d take things slow. Did that mean we were dating, or not? Were we officially in a relationship?
I had close to zero experience with this kind of stuff, and I wasn’t really sure how to approach the subject with Evan. Sure, I was inexperienced, but I didn’t want to keep reminding him of that.
