Falling Down(41)

"Have a f*cktastic time!" Ethan shouts through the door and I laugh again.
We step outside and it's still unbelievably hot at seven pm. That's Cali for you.
"Nice digs," Jesse says nodding toward the house.
I shrug. "We needed a place away from the city. It was the beach or the hills."
"I prefer the beach, too."
Jesse hands my bag to the driver who Jesse introduces as Victor then opens my door. I smile and slip inside. He closes the door and walks around to the other side.
I smooth my skirt which has ridden up a bit with sitting. It sits just above the knee when I'm standing. I didn't factor the sitting part in. Oh well. It covers just enough so he can't see the garter. I take a deep steadying breath while I have a few seconds to myself. You got this, Lucy. I do. I do. I nod to myself.
Jesse slides in and the driver closes his door. He slips his sunglasses on and I reach into my purse and do the same. Good plan. He won't be able to see my eyes so he won't be able to read me as easily.
He reaches for my hand and pulls me closer.
"Come sit next to me, Luce. Remember, I don't bite unless you ask me to." He presses a kiss to the side of my neck and I can't help the intake of air at both the statement and the sensation. He said the same thing to me six years ago when I was in my state of "unh". I squeeze his hand and give him a smile.
"I remember."
"So you could hear me, but you just couldn't speak."
I nod, embarrassed that I'd frozen like a statue.
"I'm not sure what came over me. The minute Sera pointed you out, my brain stopped functioning."
He's grinning that sexy, confident, I'm-so-hot-and-I-know-it grin. It's cocky and it's a total turn on.
"You were hot for me. You thought I was sexy and amazing."
I roll my eyes. "Well, yeah. You already know I had the crush on you. Sera pretty much told you everything."
"Mhmm," he says leaning in running his nose along my jawline. "You smell amazing. All feminine and floral." A shiver runs through me and goosebumps break out over my body.
"Thanks." I turn my head and his lips are right there, just a breath away. Neither of us moves. We just sit here staring at each other's mouths. Oh to hell with this. I lean forward and press my lips against his. His hand squeezes mine gently and his other hand slides under my hair to the back of my neck.
I can't help the breathy sigh that escapes any more than I can help the fact that I am wet and wanting.
He doesn't deepen the kiss, just sips at my lips with his. It's sexy and sweet and erotic at the same time.
He pulls back and looks at me. Just looks. He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingertip swirls around my ear and I shudder.
"What was that for?" he asks.
"Well, I have a theory."
His smile widens, his dimples wink at me, and I want to lick them. I am so going to later.
"What theory?"
"Since this is our first official date and all, there's all this tension and nervousness--at least for me. You seem fine which isn't fair. But, anyway, I thought if we got the first kiss out of the way now, then I could relax."
"Hmm. Are you relaxed now?"
I laugh. "Not really."
He chuckles. "You don't have to be nervous, Lucy. I'm just me."
I nod. "I know." That's the problem. Jesse Kingston, my life-long crush and tonight I'm going to f*ck the hell out of him.
"You are, are you?"
"Oh my God," my face turns red, I can feel the heat. "I totally didn't mean to say that out loud."
He laughs. "I figured, but it's honest and that's good."
"Jesse. That's not the only reason I'm going out with you--the crush thing I mean."