“That was yummy,” Wes praises.
He barely took a breath while eating, nor did he say a single word until now. Wes leans back in his chair and licks his fingers.
I stuff another bite in to avoid the arousal I’m sensing rising inside me. I’ve been able to fight it off, but there’s some kind of a force he’s using, like a Jedi, that’s mesmerizing me to the point where I’m concerned that I’ll do something I’ll regret.
“Give into his power,” whispers my inner voice. “You know you want to.”
I hum and nod.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
My gaze lifts from my plate to him. “Nothing,” I mutter with a mouth full of food.
“Really?” he replies.
“Mm-hm.” I swallow and chug some of my tea.
“Then, why is your leg bouncing?”
Looking down, I realize that it is. “I don’t know.”
Wes smiles. “Really?”
“Mm-hm,” I say, stuffing more potato chips in my mouth.
I watch Wes study me. His gaze returns to my leg and then back up to my face. “It’s going again.”
“I’m fine,” I claim.
Wes’ eyes narrow. “You can either tell me willingly or by force.”
I swallow hard. “Force?”
Does he mean he’ll use the “Jedi Force” against me?
His mouth curls up. “Yup.”
“Force didn’t work the last time,” I remind.
He grunts.
I try to think of a logical enough of a reason for my out of control body parts; one that he won’t question further. What kind of a topic will get a guy to not press a woman further. Then, it hits me.
I shrug. “I get like this not long before you know….”
“Before?” he repeats when I don’t continue.
“That time of the month,” I state, grabbing my phone. I look at the app I use to track it. “Yep,” I confirm with a lie. “I’m one week out. I usually get a bit anxious and grumpy around this time.”
“You’re usually anxious and grumpy,” Wes claims.
My eyes narrow. “Says who?”
“Me.”
I snort. “How would you know?”
Wes leans forward, placing his elbow on the top of the table along with his head in his hand. “I’ve been around you. Anytime you’re at the bar with Juliet, you’re grumpy.”
“Duh,” I sigh. “I’m at the bar with her to make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid as she picks up a guy.”
Wes shakes his head. “Something is bothering you and it’s not your monthly visitor.”
“Monthly visitor?” I snort.
“I have a sister, remember?” Wes states. “That shit doesn’t scare me.”
“It doesn’t?” I ask, keeping the conversation off me.
His head sways in reply.
“Why? What did she say or do?”
Wes laughs. “Having to buy that shit for your sister when you’re a teenager and your parents aren’t home is just the start. I lived through all of the crazy shit women do before, during and after that time. You are not acting anything like that.”
“You’ve had two women, your sister and mother, to compare me to,” I rebut. “Each woman is different.”
“I’ve dated some women too,” he reminds.
“How many?” I ask slyly.
Wes smirks in reply as if understanding what I’m doing. “Enough to know.”
“I doubt that,” I reply. I let out a satisfied groan as I chew the last bite of my sandwich.
“I’m a doctor too,” Wes states.
“You’re not an OBGYN,” I counter.
“No, but I’ve had enough female patients to know when a woman’s hormones are fucking with her and when she’s just being….”
“Just being what?” I ask when he doesn’t continue.
“Nothing.”
“Bitchy?” I quip.
“No.”
I roll my eyes and get up, heading into the kitchen.
“What are you doing?” Wes inquires as I start putting some of the dishes in the dishwasher.
“If I’m so anxious and grumpy…as you claim,” I state. “You’ll shut up and sit there, letting me do what I need to do to calm my anxiety.”
Wes bites back a smile. “If you say so.” He leans back again, placing his hands behind his head.
I keep my attention on my task, though I can see him watching me out of the corner of my eye. It’s creepy and yet exhilarating at the same time. Why does he feel like he needs to watch me? Is it to freak me out?
“Are you afraid that I’ll spontaneously combust?” I look up at him.
Wes laughs. “What?”
“You’re staring at me.”
“So?”
“So, it’s weird and creepy,” I inform.
“What’s wrong with me looking at a beautiful woman?”
My actions halt temporarily, but resume a moment later while keeping my gaze away from Wes. My body temperature increases instantly and my cheeks burn to confirm it.
As I’m finishing up wiping down the counters, Wes is suddenly close by, leaning against the counter. I refrain from eye contact as I step around him since he’s blocking my work path. I rinse and dry my hands.
Wes catches me by the arm as I attempt to leave the kitchen. “Thanks.”
“For what?” I ask, hesitant to look at him.
He smiles when our eyes meet. “Lunch.”
I offer a forced smile. “You’re welcome.”
“It was really good.”
“I’m glad you liked it.”
Wes takes a hold of my chin and angles my head so he can get a better look at my bruise. Carefully, he tucks a few strands behind my ear. “It’s looking better.”
I shrug. “It at least feels better.”
“You don’t think it looks better?”
My head sways. “It’s darker.”
The corner of his mouth curls slightly. “That’s a good sign. Blood is flowing to it.”
I nod.
Neither of us move as we continue to just stare at each other.
Part of me wants to kiss him or for him to kiss me. Another part of me wants to knee him in the groin and run for my life. It doesn’t matter if he’s a player. I want him despite knowing that it’ll end nothing like the books I narrate.
“I….”
“What?” he asks, leaning closer.
“I….”
“Hm?” His lips are much closer to mine.
“I need to get out,” I blurt, stepping back. “I can’t stand being inside anymore.”
Wes watches me for a second. “Have you not seen what it’s like out outside?”
“I…I just need to get out and breathe the fresh air,” I state. “Just a walk from the door to the end of the block.”
Wes doesn’t reply.
“I can’t take being inside anymore,” I huff. “I’m not the kind of girl who likes to be stuck inside. I would have been out walking around in this at least twice by now if I was home.”
“Would that make you feel better?”
“What?”
“Would that make you feel better?”
“I heard you the first time,” I reply.
Wes shrugs. “Just a walk?”
I nod.
He inspects me from head to toe and then glances at the door. “Just a walk?”
I nod again.
“Let me change and we’ll go.”
“We?” I ask.
“You think I’m going to let you go outside by yourself?” he snorts.
“I’m a grown-ass adult,” I rebut.
Wes smiles. “It’s a nice ass too.”
I put my hands on my hip.
“Did you just stomp your foot?” Wes chuckles.
My eyes narrow.
His hands raise in a surrendering gesture. “I know you’re an adult, but the last time you went for a walk by yourself you ended up with that bump on your head.”
“It’s broad daylight.”
Wes steps toward me, closing the gap between us. “Either I go with you or you’re not going.”
“Is that a threat?”
Wes laughs. “Humor me?”
I consider my options. “Fine.”
As Wes heads to his bedroom, I briskly walk toward the door. I put on my boots and realize that I don’t have a bra on. Looking down the hall, I shrug and consider not to bother. I’ve got my tank top and sweater. A thin layer of a bra won’t make much of a difference under a jacket.
“Put this on,” Wes commands, handing me something.
I glance down and take it.
“It’s a hat,” he informs.
“Clearly.”
“You didn’t have one Friday night,” he states.
“No girl goes to the bar with a hat on unless she plans to wear it the whole time.”
Wes nods. “You have gloves.”
“Yep,” I confirm, holding them up.
Wes tugs at the front of my jacket and adjusts my scarf before buttoning my jacket all the way up to my neck.
“I can’t breathe.”
Wes regards me for a brief second. Ignoring me, he puts on his own jacket.
I unbutton the top notch on my jacket which elicits a disapproving glare from Wes. “Do you want me to pass out while out there?”
He grunts as he finishes putting on his gloves.
“Is that a yes or no?”
Wes eyes me. “Don’t start, Simone.”
“Don’t you start,” I challenge.
He takes a hold of my shoulders and spins me, pushing me toward the door. “Go before I regret agreeing to this.”
“You can stay here,” I remind.
The door slams behind me. I chance a glance over my shoulder and snicker when I see Wes with a mild scowl on his face.
“What’s wrong mister grumpy face?”
Wes walks past me, yanking me by the arm to follow. We wait quietly for the elevator to arrive. I look at the button that is glowing and back at Wes several times to pass the time. Though he’s in a mood, it’s rather relaxing to still be in his presence. It’s almost like he’s taking his turn to be grumpy and I snort to myself at the idea.
“What’s so funny?”
“You,” I say.
“Me?”
“You got mad at me for being grumpy, and now that I’m not grumpy, you are the grumpy one and I’m over here happy.”
“You’re happy that I’m grumpy?”
I giggle. “One would almost think that, wouldn’t they?” I swat at the air. “No. I just think it’s funny.”
Wes huffs and shakes his head as he avoids looking at me.
“So much for civility,” I quip under my breath.
Wes turns his head to look at me. The elevator dings and opens. I dart in before giving him the chance to drag me back to the apartment. He waits a moment, stepping into the elevator as the door is just starting to close.
When Wes opens the door to the great beyond that is the sidewalk, a rush washes over me despite the bite to the cold air. Freedom—I can smell freedom and it’s just a few feet away. After another second of savoring the moment, I step beyond the doorway. The wind is calmer today, but the snow continues to fall at a good pace.
The thought to make a run for it pops into my head, but my purse and underwear are still up in his apartment. I can part with the clothing, but not my purse. C’est la vie.
“Ah,” I sigh as I turn to go right.
“Happy?”
“Yes,” I affirm, smiling at him.
“Good.”
“You?”
“Me what?” he asks.
“Are you happy?”
He offers a smile. “Yes.”
Wes walks on my left as we make our way slowly over the sidewalk. It’s been shoveled at least once, but there’s still at least four inches of fresh snow covering the path. The piles around us come up to my shoulders, indicating that there might be more snowfall than the weatherman had stated would be coming.
When we reach the corner, I look up and enjoy the cool flakes landing on my warm skin. I close my eyes and open my mouth, sticking out my tongue to catch a few.
Wes laughs.
“What?”
“You’re like a kid.”
“Is that so bad?” I ask.
Wes smiles more. “No.”
“You should try it,” I suggest. “It’ll help you take that stick out of your ass.”
Wes’ smile fades. “I don’t have a stick up my ass.”
“Could have fooled me,” I tease.
Wes lunges in my direction and I scream and dart away.
“Be careful,” he scolds.
“I am.” My foot steps on something slippery and I almost fall.
Wes disapprovingly shakes his head.
I laugh, glad that I didn’t fall and because of his reaction.
We continue down the block, walking next to each other in silence. Needing to get rid of some pent of energy, I hop ahead and duck behind a pile.
“Simone,” Wes says, unimpressed with my antics.
I wait a few seconds before popping up to scare him. “What?”
Wes fights it, but ends up smiling and chuckling.
I get a few feet ahead of him again and end up spinning around a pole.
Wes rolls his eyes as if he’s unimpressed.
Tired of his back and forth mood, I duck around the next corner and grab some snow. As his body comes into view, I toss a snowball at him. It almost hits him.
“Simone,” Wes warns.
I don’t listen and launch another one in his direction. It hits him in the leg.
“Ha!” I move ahead, scared of what he might do to me if he catches up.
I dart into another doorway and collect some more snow. Launching it in the air, I manage to hit Wes in the shoulder.
His eyes narrow and he readies as if he’s about to attack.
“Shit!” I shout, laughing as I try to escape.
“You think that’s funny?” Wes asks when he picks me up from behind.
I can’t stop laughing. “Yes.”
“You’d be pissed if I threw it at you?”
“Would I, mister grumpy pants?” I reply.
“Shit,” Wes grunts, yanking me to the side as a loud noise approaches us from behind.
Wes barricades me between him and a brick wall. Our attention is pulled to the plow machine that is passing by, throwing snow up at the sidewalk. If we had stayed, we would have been completely covered.
I laugh at the situation.
“You think that’s funny?”
“We didn’t get dumped on,” I state.
“We almost did.”
“But, we didn’t,” I remind. When Wes doesn’t comment or move to allow our walk to continue, I push at his chest. “Move.”
He doesn’t reply or budge.
“Move,” I repeat, shoving him with my full body weight.
Wes’ body barely moves. “Make me.”
“I’m trying,” I whine.
“Not good enough,” he laughs.
Our eyes lock on each other’s as Wes’ face inches closer to mine. Before I know it, his lips are against mine. I don’t fight it. His Jedi force takes complete control over me. Our mouths entwine more as our tongues connect.
“Score!” cheers my inner voice.
“Wet,” I mumble when we take a momentary break for a breath only to kiss again.
Wes chuckles and then presses his tongue further into my mouth. My hands grab his coat and pull him closer.
“I’m…wet,” I say during each breath.
Wes groans. “I bet.”
I am wet, wet between my legs. I can feel it since I shaved two days ago. Yet, there’s another bit of moisture that is also present—an icy one.
“No,” I say, shaking my head and pulling my lips from his. “It’s fucking cold kind of wet.”
Wes steps back when I push him out of the way.
I turn and check to see what is causing my ass to be wet. Glancing up, I see a drip that is trickling down the wall. “Fuck.”
Wes laughs.
“That’s not funny,” I protest, trying to hide the wet spot.
“Of course not,” Wes agree biting back his amusement. He takes off his scarf and uses it to dab at the spot. “We should turn back and get you out of these.”