Page 55 of Sky Full of Stars

Lou says he’ll see Brooke home when we tell them we’re leaving, he shakes Adam’s hand and I can see he holds it a little longer than necessary, but Adam doesn’t wither under the gaze and after a few tense seconds, Lou’s eyes relent. Brooke looks at me like the cat who ate the canary and I shake my head at her. Adam kisses her cheek as we leave. She fan’s herself behind his back and laughs. Then she makes a ‘call me’ gesture.

He only had two bottles of beer the whole night and I realise now it’s because he has brought the SUV. He looks at me once we’re inside, silently questioning. I nod and he puts the car in gear, he doesn’t need to be told directions to my place this time.

He looks around my apartment when we get there and I stand by the front door, looking at him. He seems to take up all the air in the room, and from my lungs. I don’t know how I think I’m going to deal with this.

“Coffee?” I ask.

“Nah, it’ll just keep me awake and neither of us want that. How about water?”

I nod and head to the kitchen. When I come back with two glasses he is holding up the book I am reading, standing by the reading nook. He looks at me when I come in. “Mildly erotic?” he arches a brow. “This is pornography.”

“Shut up,” I pass him a glass and take the book from him, turning away to hide the blush.

He shrugs out of his coat and looks around, taking in some of the pictures on the wall. He walks closer to a painting and studies it, his eyes moving to the signature. “Your mom?”

“Yes.”

“It’s really good. She’s very talented.”

“Yes she is.” I sit on the couch and eventually he comes over and joins me. I pick up the remote and turn on the CD player. Whitesnake comes on and he chuckles.

“Which one is your favourite?” he asks.

“Is This Love,” I say without hesitation. “Not original but dad always sang it to mom.”

He smiles. “Put it on.”

I skip to the track and we sit in easy silence listening to the song. He bobs his head and when I look at him, his eyes are closed. It’s like he is listening to every note and I see how much he loves music, it isn’t about the fame and fortune, he feels it. He opens his eyes and catches me staring at him.

“I’m gonna kiss you,” he says.

“Okay,” I mumble.

He moves closer and leans towards me. One of his hands cups my face as he pulls me into the kiss. I melt, he’s gentle, for a little while, then he shifts himself closer and he tilts my head moving my face where he wants it. His hand is on my hip, mine is around his neck and in his hair. He lowers me back and I can’t help moaning.

“I’m just kissing you,” he whispers into my mouth. “Just kissing.”

“Yes, mmm,” I pull him back to my mouth. The make out session goes on for about ten minutes till I’m flustered and flushed and when he pulls me up into his lap, I can feel the bulge in his pants. I shift about a little, grinding into him. I can’t help myself.

“Jenna,” he stills me. “You really don’t want to keep doing that.”

I laugh against his lips and pull back. His lips are swollen and red, his eyes heavy. “Sorry.”

“I think I need to sleep on the couch,” he looks down at himself.

“What, you have no self-control?”

“Not where you’re concerned,” he touches my hip, runs a finger along my lips. “I should go. I’m not sure a door can keep me from losing my shit and jumping you.”

I don’t want him to go, I want him to jump me. On the one hand, I think this might be my only chance to be with him. There is nothing to say this will continue once he goes to LA, I’d be an idiot not to take my chance. But there is also the reason I’m holding out, if he does go back and I want to keep him interested, holding out is the right thing to do. I’m also terrified that if I do sleep with him now, I’ll get too attached and when he’s gone and doesn’t come back, I’ll just be hurt. For now, this is safe, my heart is safe.

He brushes some hair behind my ear. “Can I take you out tomorrow night?”

“How will you do that without us being seen?”

“I’ll figure something out.”

I lick my lips and he drops his head back and groans. “You amaze me, Jenna. I’ve never wanted a woman more but at the same time not wanted her so I can keep her happy.”

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