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“You ready to give me that dance now that we never got the last time, Dimples?” She rolled her eyes, I think at the nickname but nodded her head yes at the same time. With that confirmation, I had her on the floor and in my arms right away. The rest of the room faded away as I gazed into her eyes. “Want to stay with me tonight?” I held my breath waiting for her answer. Lord knows, I didn’t want to scare her, move too fast, or fuck this up, but I wanted her in my house, taking up my space. Whether or not she ended up under my sheets and beneath me was up to her. Jurnee just being there was enough for me until she was ready for more.
“Yeah, I want that.” All the air I was holding in released like a burst of wind.
“I just want you to know I’m not rushing anything. Everything is your call on how fast this moves between us. But I also want you to know I want this to last. You and me.” She was incredibly quiet, and I was worried about what was going on in that pretty little head of hers. Not taking my eyes off her, I waited for her to respond.
“First, I just want you to know that I’m not gonna run off to the bathroom.” She laughed. “Second, I want this to last too. And third, when I go home with you tonight, I want to end up in your bed, but sleeping isn’t what I have in mind.”
Holy shit, I am a grown ass-man and this girl has me twisted like a pretzel and sweating in my jockey shorts.
I grinned at her like a crazed fool. “Do you think it would be rude if we left now?” I was only half kidding. She giggled and the sound almost had me pulling her out the door.
“We will get there, you promised me dancing and a night of fun with our friends. I’m holding you to it. Then our time will come. Now twirl me, Braxton.” How perfect could the next song be whenBrown Eyed Girlby Van Morrison came on while I was spinning Jurnee around the dance floor, her laughter filling my soul?
While we were having a blast, there was trouble brewing on the sidelines. Landon looked pissed and walked off. My friend was struggling with something and it had to do with my sister, I just didn’t know what the hell was going on.
There was also something else going on too, only this wasn’t bad. I was pretty sure it could be something great. Gyth and Summer were talking and even though Gyth was in his chair again, he didn’t let it stop him. He held out his hand and when Summer took it, he pulled her down onto his lap, right into his chair with him, and wheeled her out to the floor. Now that was a sight. And a good one at that.
When we’d all been dancing for quite a while and needed a break, we headed off to find a table, rest, and get something to quench our thirst. The five of us sat together, but Landon was MIA. We were talking about old times, new beginnings, and just shooting the breeze. Kace was tight-lipped about personal stuff and it made me wonder more and more what happened when he went back home. I wasn’t going to try and dig into his personal business in front of everyone though.
I snuck my hand under the table and lightly rested it on Jurnee’s knee. The feel of her warm bare skin had my thoughts derailing like a runaway freight train about to jump the tracks. I needed to stay in control and not act like a teenage boy who had never touched a girl before. But with her, it felt like a first, and I knew everything to come would too.
Jurnee was different. She was so much more than anyone before.
Feeling her small hand touch the top of mine, she squeezed a little and turned to smile at me. Damn those dimples got me every time. They took up residence on her cheeks, but it was the one on her chin that truly called to me. I knew it was silly, but I wanted to touch it every time. Along with her brown eyes that shined with kindness, she pretty much could have me wrapped around her finger if she wanted to.
Hell, who am I kidding, she already does.
Smiling back, I gave her knee a little squeeze as she had done to me. It was then that Alley’s sharp intake of breath had me turning back to the group. My sister looked broken. Something you didn’t see much from her even with all the shit she had been through. I turned to look in the direction her eyes were glued to and saw Landon dancing with some classy blonde chick. Not my type at all, but it looked like maybe she was his. He came from money, he looked the part, and the lady did too. But when you got to know him, that’s not what he was all about. I didn’t get to ask what was wrong before Alley was out of her seat and heading for the door.
Summer instantly got up to follow but told us before she left that she was going to take Alley home. It was a good thing Summer hadn’t been drinking so she would be sure to get them home safe. In fact, I’m not sure if Summer ever drank. I knew she took medication so maybe that was the reason why, but I didn’t know all the details. “You coming Jurnee, or…” She trailed off not finishing her sentence, and glanced at her friend.
“If it’s alright I think I’m gonna stay with Braxton? Will you two be okay?”
“Of course, love you girl. I’ll see you when I see you.” Summer smiled and looked at Gyth. “Thanks for the dance, Gyth, and it was good to meet you, Kace. Bye, Braxton.” Everyone said goodbye and although Gyth looked a little disappointed, I knew he understood why she needed to go. That’s what friends do—they are there for each other in a heartbeat. As Summer headed off, the mood changed and Gyth and Kace decided to head out also. Kace was staying with Gyth at his place until he found his own space, so the two of them had ridden over together.
With just Jurnee and I left at the table, I glanced back to where Landon was and realized he was gone too. I wasn’t sure where he went, but knowing he had driven himself I decided to focus on my lady. “How about another dance before we go?”
“Would love to,” she answered softly.
We made our way to the dance floor and the song couldn’t be more perfect once again. This club was cool, they played a mix of so many different genres of songs, as well as years. We found ourselves tucked close together and swaying toAll My Life, by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville.
Her body pressed against me, head tucked under my chin, her face snuggled into my chest, I let the feel of Jurnee surround me. Every part of her physically and mentally touched down deep inside my soul and I knew she had always been meant for me.
But it was at this moment that she became mine forever. I would never be able to let her go.
The words of the song washed over me, and I began to softly sing the lyrics into her ear so she would feel the intimacy of this moment.
“Braxton,” she whispered breathlessly. “What’s happening?”
I hated that she had to ask, but after learning more about her over the past few weeks, I could see how this would feel foreign to her. Honestly, it was for me too. She was trembling and I was sure she was a little scared of what was brewing between us, as well as turned on. It was like a hot pot of coffee you craved but feared it would burn you at the same time.
“The same thing that’s happening to me,” I answered. “I’m falling, Dimples.” I nuzzled in close to her and kissed her neck softly, as I whispered, “Fall with me?”
I posed the question but didn’t give her time to respond. I couldn’t wait a second longer for her lips to touch mine. I leaned back a little and looked into her warm chocolate eyes that so much emotion poured out of. They were a beautiful waterfall of emotion, cascading into a pool of hope.
I slid my hand through her hair, around the side of her neck, pulled her face close to mine, and planted my mouth on hers. Smoothly caressing her lips with my own, I let everything fade away but us. Then knowing so many people were around us, I broke the kiss, much to my disappointment. Our time alone would come and I would take every second then to show her what I couldn’t now.
“Braxton.” Glancing down, she released a sigh, as if to get her bearings. Lifting her head back, she looked me straight in the eyes.
