“Most of my friends went somewhere. I almost went with a couple to Scottsdale. Mary’s parents have a condo there. It’d be nice to lie by the pool and get drunk on Mai Tais.” She giggled.
“Sounds like fun. Why didn’t you go?”
Kylie pointed to the stack of books on her desk. “Too much to do.”
“Am I bothering you by being here? I could go and hang with my friends. I don’t want to keep you from your work.”
“No,” she said quickly. “You’re not bothering me at all.”Smooth, Kylie. Can you sound any more desperate?
“If I am, just say the word.” Jerry narrowed his eyes. “Is Ricky on campus?”
“Ricky? No, he went to Vegas with some of his buds. Why?”
“Did he ask you to join him?”
Was he jealous? No, it wasn’t possible, because that would mean hereallyliked her. And if he did, why would he fuck the club girls? “He did. Can you open another beer for me?”
“You dating the dude?” He handed her the beer. That time, his hand covered hers and he didn’t pull away.
Holding the beer in mid-air, loving the small jolts of pleasure his hand on hers caused in her core, she shook her head, her mouth too dry to answer without making an ass of herself. He let go and leaned back in the chair, lighting another joint. After taking a gulp of beer, she mumbled, “We’re just good friends.”
“Keep it that way.” His tone was velvet, yet edged with steel. The smoke from the weed drifted around him.
She cleared her throat. “Smoking pot always gives me the munchies. You want something? I went to the store yesterday and bought a lot of stuff. I have Cheez-Its, chips, pretzels, Chex Mix, roasted peanuts—I love those—and string cheese.”
“Let’s grab some dinner.”
“Yeah, we can do that too. What do you feel like eating?”
“You choose. I’m just having a good time being with you.”
She swallowed hard. “Let’s go for Mexican. I can drive. Let me just freshen up.”
Several minutes later, she came out of the restroom, her makeup touched up and grungy jeans swapped for a short black jean skirt and a white lace crop top. “Ready?”
“Fuck, you look beautiful.”
The way his gaze boldly assessed her body made her blush. Kylie quickly grabbed her keys and opened the door. “Come on.”
Jerry rose to his feet and brushed past her so his chest grazed her breasts, her nipples hardening on contact. When she gasped, he laughed. “Give me the keys, babe. I’m driving.”
“I can drive. I know where the restaurant is.”
Cupping her chin in his hand, Jerry dipped his head and breathed against her ear, “As long as I’m here, I’m in charge, and I’m driving. Let’s go.” He gently pressed his lips against her neck, his warm breath caressing her before he grabbed her hand and started down the hall. Fearing he’d see her clenching her thighs, she coughed and then followed his lead.
***
Casa Moreno wasburied in the corner of a strip mall on the northeast side of Crested Peak. Its burnt red-tiled floors and earth-toned walls contrasted strongly with the bright pink, yellow, and lime-green of the booths and décor. Large terracotta pots with bold and vivid geometric patterns housed various cacti arrangements. The upbeat rhythm of ranchera music filled the cantina, and the packed place lent an accompaniment of noisy chatter to it.
Munching on a chip, Kylie studied the menu. She and her friends had been there a ton of times so she knew it by memory, but by looking at it, she was able to avoid Jerry’s eyes. Every time they met hers, her heart turned over in response.
“Are you ready to order?” The waiter’s heavily accented voice made her jump.
“I am. Are you?” She looked up, meeting Jerry’s gaze. It was blazing with a hunger that made her all squishy inside.
Without taking his eyes off her face, he said, “Steak fajitas, medium rare, corn tortillas, and another Corona.”
“Very good. And for you, miss?”
