He didn’t shave today so he’s got stubble and as always, it looks good on him.Toogood.
He’s holding an envelope in his right hand. He switches it to his left and takes my hand as I get to the bottom step.
“Have a good time, you two,” Mom says, beaming.
I drop my gaze and, saying nothing, follow Jase out of the house.
I’m super-aware of his hand, of how big it is, how warm. I’m also well aware that mine is clammy and trembling.
A bunch of whistles and calls startle me. Across the street at Leona’s house are a bunch of females, including Ivy, Amelia,Erica, and Stacy. Oh shit! And Jase’s sisters Gwen and Taylor! Some of these ladies have drinks in their hands. Leona waves enthusiastically.
Shit! Audrey’s recording this!
“Omigod,” I mutter. “Am I a circus freak now?”
A ‘watch Jase date Bailey’ party? This is so typical of our pack. But I can’t be too upset. If I wasn’t the female subject here, I’d definitely be one of the spectators.
Jase laughs and waves at them before he opens the passenger door to his truck for me.
I’ve never seen Jase’s truck this clean. It’s spotless inside and outside.
His hand lands on my lower back as I climb in and he lets out a little growl, which makes me startle.
“Nearly flashed me your little red panties, there, Bay. Careful now…”
“I’m not wearing red panties,” I tell him.
He laughs. “Dang. We’ll have to get you some. The exact shade as this dress.”
My face flames as I smooth my skirt out and clip my seatbelt on and state, “Mine are black today. But I have plenty of red pairs.”
He flashes me a look charged with 100% sexuality as he gets into the driver’s seat, looking uncomfortable as he backs out of the driveway. And with a quick glance it’s obvious his expression comes from the fact that he has an erection fighting the constraints of his well-fitting slacks.
And it occurs to me that I… Bailey Blackwood… finally have the power to give Jason Creed an erection. And a little voice inside me suggests something I try hard to shove away, but can’t. Thatvoice tells me that I’ll be the only female going forward to give Jase an erection. Ever.
I bite my lip and fight the strange urge to smile about this while I stare straight ahead, avoiding direct eye contact with any of the faces across the street. Because it’s not actually funny. Hysteria is more likely what it is.
He sets the little envelope between us.
“Open that.”
“What is it?” I ask.
“Open it and see, silly.”
I frown.
“It’s not gonna bite ya, baby,” he says with humor.
As I lift the envelope, he tacks on, “Though I am.”
Our eyes meet.
“Not today, though.” He flashes another smile as his eyes return to the road ahead. “Unless you ask nicely.”
And there are butterflies divebombing in my belly.
I open the little envelope and it’s a bookstore gift card.