Page 26 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

She pretends to swing a katana over her head, causing me to snicker. It’s good to see her back to her old self, her brief moment of weakness well and truly over now the pressure’s eased off. Will I ever see the other side of Jessie again? Who knows? It’s my gut feeling likely not. I reckon she likes to keep her well and truly hidden. Still, I feel privileged that she felt comfortable enough to let her guard down around me, even if it was a one-off.

I watch as she starts dancing around the room while humming along toNever Can Tell.

“You’re nuts,” I mutter, pretending to concentrate on what I’m doing, the corners of my mouth twitching upwards as I take in her antics out of the corner of my eye.

“So, what do you say, Vincent Vega? You up for it?” She places her hands on my shoulders and whispers the question in my ear.

My blood immediately starts to travel south at the physical connection combined with the warmth of her breath. Even if I’m not up for it, my dick’s telling me he sure as hell is.

“I…” I stutter.

I silently curse myself for sounding hesitant because I know it’s the reason she quickly moves her hands away. I immediately miss them. I want them back on me more than I want anything else in the world.

“It was just a suggestion, Dyl. It’s what friends do, you know? Catch a movie together.”

Friends?

I don’t want to be her fucking friend.

“I’d like that,” I mumble, knowing I probably sound less than enthusiastic, but now with good reason.

Jessie O’Brien just friend-zoned me. Not that I should have expected anything else.

* * *

“I didn’t knowwhat else to bring.” She answered the door the instant I knocked. It was strange seeing it fully closed as during the day it’s wide open.

“Just yourself was enough, Dyl, but for the record, I’ll never say no to potato chips. I’m a savory girl. And any flavor. I’m not fussy.” She grins as she takes the pack from my hands while motioning her head for me to come in.

I stand just inside the entrance after she closes the door. Why am I acting awkward when we’ve spent so much time together? I guess it’s because it feels a bit like a date, even though I know it’s not. Jessie doesn’t want to date me. Why would she when she could have anyone she wants? She’s also made it clear she wants us to be just friends.

“You can come all the way in. Even after hours, I don’t bite. Well, not unless you ask nicely.” She smirks.

Cue red cheeks.

Even if she didn’t mean it sexually, she now knows I’ve interpreted it as such.

Jessie, you can bite me anywhere and anytime you like.

I take a seat on the white leather sofa. It’s only a two-seater, which means we’ll be sitting close together—touching almost. My dick twitches at the thought. I swear to God he’s reacted more these past weeks than he has in all the years preceding.

I run my hands through my hair. I need to shave it off again. It’s messy, unkempt, and hanging past my ears, and not in a fashionable way like our Paddy’s used to.

“I can sort that for you if you like.”

I stare up at her as she places popcorn, chips, and dip on the glass table in front of us.

“Your hair. I’m not a professional by any means, but I used to cut my baby brother’s until he reached driving age. We didn’t have a hair salon in my hometown. You got any scissors?”

I nod.

“Bring them tomorrow?” She raises an eyebrow, and I nod again.

* * *

I don’t really payany attention to the film. Thankfully, I’ve seen it before, so I can answer any questions if quizzed.

My attention has been focused as discreetly as possible on Jessie the entire time. From the get-go, she’s been a tease. With popcorn in hand, she immediately sat on the sofa, then stretched out her long limbs so her bare feet rested on my lap. She then preceded to part her legs before placing the bowl at the juncture of her thighs. It took me a full ten minutes before I reached for a piece. When I did, she snickered immaturely, causing me to snicker back.

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