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“I didn’t say that,” I answered with a grin. We followed the curve of the path and the gazebo came into view.
After we stepped up onto the wooden platform, he looked around warily. “Okay, I don’t see any ninjas ready to ambush me, so that’s good. But this is sort of an odd place to put a gazebo, isn’t it? Like, there’s no lake to look out at, no actual view. It’s just forest.”
I sidled up to him and pressed my body against his, sliding my hands up his chest. “It is quiet, but I wouldn’t say there’s no view.” My gaze locked on his, and he swallowed awkwardly. “What I like best about this place is that there’s no one around. It’s a brilliant spot forprivacy.”
Even in the darkness, his eyes seemed to flash with comprehension. I waited, my breaths light past my lips and my heart pounding, to see how he’d respond to the invitation.
Jake’s hand slid up into the tangle of my hair, cradling my head while his lips moved in to claim mine. He was firm, insistent, and I bent under the pressure, opening to welcome him. Heat built between my legs, a pleasurable throb of excitement when his mouth met mine. His tongue slid against my lips, followed by a gentle press of teeth, and a surge of heat shot up my spine as I pressed back against him. My fingers climbed his shoulders, tracing patterns over the soft hair at the nape of his neck.
Jake groaned deep in his throat, and his free hand pulled my body tight against his, then slid down my back, over the curve of my hips, to the place my dress split. In one move, he tugged my thigh up and clenched his fist in my hair, arching my back against the rail. My leg wrapped around his hip, tightening, and I had no problem balancing on one leg when I was pressed between him and the railing. His fingers massaged my thigh while his hips pushed between my legs, the pressure leaving me with little doubt that he was every bit as turned on now as I was. He tugged more firmly on my hair, trailing kisses along my exposed neck, followed by the gentle scrapes of his teeth that sent shivers coursing through my body. His lips tracked down further, painting a course over my chest, down to the indentation between my breasts.
My chest heaved, every nerve alive with sensation. Jake’s hot breath on my chest; the sweet aftertaste of Jack Daniels on my tongue; his warm, firm fingers; the pleasurable sensation of the hand gripping my hair; the scent of his cologne mixed with the fresh scent of pine; the cool night air at odds with the heat between our bodies. I could imagine the steam coming off of us like a jacuzzi on a winter night.
And just like that, the spell was broken. A trio of voices reached us from the direction of the events building, coming down the path we’d just walked. We froze in place.
“Come on guys, we’re almost there.”
“Dude, we don’t have to go this far out to smoke a bowl. No one cares.”
“I dunno about you, but I’d like to be invited back next summer. Blazing up at the company party isn’t exactly the best look, bro.”
“I dunno if you’ve heard,bro, pot is legal in Colorado now.”
“That doesn’t make it fit for public consumption. We’re almost there, man, just stop complaining.”
Jake released me in a panic, pulling me upright, then stepping back two paces with a terrified look.
I almost felt bad for the guy. I approached and placed my hands on both of his cheeks, planting a soft kiss on his lips. “I guess it’s not as private as I’d hoped. Let’s head back.”
He kissed me back more firmly, then claimed my hand and led the way out of the gazebo. Jake kept me slightly behind his body as if he were protecting me from oncoming threats.
“It’s no big deal,” I giggled quietly. “It’s just some lift-runners coming down to smoke pot. They seriously won’t care that we were down here making out.”
“Yeah, well, I care. It’s not a good look to be feeling a lady up in the dark woods alone.”
“Hey,” I tugged on his hand, forcing him to stop and turn around. “I happen to think it was a very good look.” I reached up and tugged his face back to mine to emphasize my point. He kissed me back, but with less enthusiasm than before.
“Well, I still think I should take you on a proper date,” he grumbled as he continued back up the path, my hand still in his.
“And what makes you think I want a date?”
That got his attention. “You don’t?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll guess we’ll have to see what happens when you actually ask me.”
Jake chuckled. “Fair enough.”
We passed the trio of summer employees on their way to the gazebo, and I didn’t miss their curious glances when they realized it was me. I gave them a wink but didn’t say anything, and we finished our climb to the top in silence.
“So,” I said finally, when we were back on the deck. I leaned against the railing and regarded him coyly. A light breeze ruffled my dress and drew goosebumps to my skin; the space was empty aside from us now, the sudden change in temperature having chased the other employees away.
That or the siren call of free booze inside.
“So, what?” At this point, I couldn’t tell if he was confused or just teasing.
“So are you going to ask me out? Or was this all an elaborate ruse of some kind?”
He grinned, leaning against the railing next to me. “No, first I have to ask for your number. Then after several days of playing it cool, then awkward texting and random conversations about the weather, I might finally work up the courage to ask you on a date. Does that work for you?”
