Page 26 of The Stud Next Door (Frisky Business 3)
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about our kiss. If this were one of the movies Penelope likes to watch, that one kiss would have had life-changing effects on the protagonists.
But this isn’t a movie.
This is real life, and to be honest, it shocked me how perfect Jessa’s mouth felt on mine and the soft noises she made when I deepened our kiss. I can’t explain the rush of emotions that left me breathless and wanting more. The truth is, I’m lonely, and for a lot more than just sex.
And as crazy as it sounds, I think my friends are right. The only way I’m going to survive this overwhelming attraction to the nanny is to finally take her out on a date. Maybe it’s just the taboo aspect of it all that has me sex-crazy for her. Maybe we’ll have zero chemistry, and we can file this one away under awkward mistakes and move the fuck on with our lives.
Or maybe this is my best shot at something real.
“Hellooo, Earth to Connor . . .”
Jessa’s musical voice snaps me back to the present, where we’re sorting and labeling frozen baggies of Beth’s breast milk on the kitchen counter. She gave me a whole cooler’s worth when I dropped off Marley last night for the weekend. Not exactly the most romantic of circumstances to ask someone out on a first date, but I’ll take what I can get.
“Sorry, what were you saying?”
“Nothing,” Jessa says with a laugh. “You were in the middle of telling a story about Hayes and Wolfie and how they grew up together?”
My heart swells a little at the familiarity with which she talks about my best friends. She was amazing with everyone the other night, totally natural and in sync with their joke slinging and name calling. Honestly, that may have been what cinched the deal for me on this whole date idea.
“Shit.” I chuckle, setting another bag into the freezer. “My bad. My mind’s wandering.”
“You need a break,” Jessa says solemnly.
“I was thinking the same thing. We both need a break,” I say, proud of myself for this smooth-as-hell transition. “Actually, I was thinking about going on a date.”
“Oh, okay. Yep, you should.” Her gaze flits to mine for a second before locking back onto the measuring cups. “I’m good to watch Marley whenever.”
Wait. What? Jessa thinks I meant a date with someone else.
Fuck. That’s my bad for being vague.
“No, I mean . . .” I reach for her hand, instantly regretting the electricity-inducing contact and craving it in equal measure. “You and me. Would you like to go on a date . . . with me?”
Jessa is shocked speechless. With each second that passes as I wait for her response, I’m closer to throwing myself through the nearest window.
Is this wildly inappropriate? Have I just lost my nanny?
Finally, she blinks, and her lips purse into a secretive little smile. She tugs at my hand playfully. “You mean us? Like going on a date-date?”
“Yeah. A date-date. If you’re up for it.”
“Well, duh,” she blurts.
I can’t help the grin that breaks out across my face. I’m so fucking relieved, and she’s so fucking cute.
She tucks an unruly strand of hair behind her ear before asking, “When?”
“You free tonight?”
“Yeah.” Jessa chuckles, all sparkling eyes and blushing cheeks. “What did you have in mind?”
Shit. I hadn’t thought that far.
“I’m thinking dinner. Drinks. My treat. How does that sound to you?”
“Good.” She sighs happily, and damn, do I love that sound.
“Good.”
I echo the sentiment, enjoying the way the sunlight peeks through the blinds and lights up the freckles across her nose. Never mind the fact that we’re shamelessly flirting before eight in the morning.
Glancing at the clock, I wince. “You think you can handle the rest of this? I should head to work.”
“Sure. Storing your ex’s breast milk is a lot easier than I thought it’d be.” The words come out so fast that Jessa only realizes how strange they are a moment too late. She scrunches her eyes closed and recovers with a sheepish smile. “Yes, I mean.”
“Great.” I chuckle, squeezing her hand. “I’ll see you later.”
The whole drive downtown, I grin like a little kid on Christmas morning. By the time I reach the shop, my face is actually sore from all the smiling. I guess it’s been a while since I used these muscles for a stretch. Jessa brings that out in me.
Throughout the workday, that stocking-stuffer giddiness dissolves into a nagging concern that I jumped into this too quickly.
Dinner and drinks are fine, sure, but where should I take her? What kind of place would Jessa enjoy?
I’m struggling to come up with a plan for tonight without falling back on old date ideas. Hayes is off today, so I make the mistake of asking Wolfie and Caleb for their input on how to make this night special.
