“Yeah, but let me pay…” She dug a hand into her purse.
“We already have a card on file.” George held up his hand. “You can pick up your other shoe and be on your way.”
“A card on file—Cain…” Chloe glared at me.
“Come on.” I took her hand. “We can actually go for a walk now before the show.”
“I guess so.” She nodded and walked with me towards the door. “I still wish you would let me pay for my shoes. I’m not a charity case.”
“Says the woman with no job…” I winked at her.
We drove to the Helium Comedy Club and found a parking spot that was close enough to walk to the club and the park nearby. I held her hand as we walked, and it felt so comfortable. We talked, cracked a few jokes, and were both laughing after one lap around the park. Her new shoes held up a lot better than her heels, but she never let go of my hand, even when she no longer needed it for support.
“Watch it, there’s a pebble in front of you—might slip and bust a kneecap.” I chuckled and pointed out the tiny rock.
“I didn’t expect you to be this playful…” She stopped and turned to look at me. “Your letters seemed so serious.”
“I live with a ten year old—I kind of have to be playful.” I shrugged and nodded. “Abby almost convinced me to play Minecraft last week—after I learned what Minecraft was.”
“I can’t envision you hunched over a computer.” She shook her head back and forth.
“No, definitely not my thing.” I smirked. “I know how to be serious when the moment calls for it.”
“Do you?” She bit down on her bottom lip and looked up at me.
“I do.” I pulled her close and crushed her lips beneath mine.
The kiss was absolutely perfect. Her lips felt amazing on mine and when they parted, I pushed my tongue between them with a hunger that I hadn’t felt in years. I was gentle at first, but I felt a ferocity coming from her—a moan that echoed against my lips. I slid my hand behind her neck and ravaged her mouth, soaking in the magic of the moment that belonged to us. I didn’t want to ever pull away—I just wanted to kiss her for three straight months until the rules said we could be intimate—not that I gave a shit about the rules anymore. I knew what I wanted and what I wanted was in my arms—nothing but thin fabric keeping our skin from radiating against each other. I kissed her until my head spun and I was finally forced to pull away and gasp for breath.
“Fuck…” She blinked a couple of times.
“I hope that is out of excitement, rather than anger.” I grinned and tilted my head to the side.
“Excitement. Definitely excitement!” She nodded so quick it was almost comical. “Three months, huh?”
“Someone’s mind is in the gutter.” I narrowed my eyes. “Do you think I’m the kind of guy that puts out on the first date?”
“I don’t know. How many first dates have you been on?” She tilted her head to the side.
“A few…” I shrugged slowly. “You?”
“None that have made me feel like this…” She looked down and exhaled sharply. “I guess we should get to the show—otherwise that three month rule is about to be the last thing on my mind.”
“Yeah, probably a good plan.” I took her hand, but she didn’t move when I started walking.
“I’ve never—by the way.” She looked up as I turned back towards her.
“Never on the first date?” I nodded. “Respectable—I’m no saint.”
“No, I mean…” She hesitated for a moment. “Never, never.”
“Oh!” My eyes opened wide. “You’re—a virgin?”
“Yeah.” She nodded quickly. “Which makes the fact that I’m feeling what I’m feeling even crazier.”
“I like you—trust me, there’s a part of me that just wants to say fuck the rules entirely, but let’s wait…” I exhaled sharply. “As hard as it is for me to say that, knowing that you want it too, I would much rather make it special if it’s your first time.”
“I think it would be special, no matter what.” She looked down and sighed. “But you’re right. I’m just getting ahead of myself because I’ve never met anyone like you before—someone I feel like I could trust so freely without being scared for my life.”
“I feel the same way about you.” I nodded. “Okay, let’s go to the show. We might end up being late if we don’t hurry.”
And I might end up changing my mind if we miss the opening act.
