This is So Happening (So Far, So Good Book 2)

by Amelia Kingston

  For once, I’m happy to do as she asks. I tug up the hem of my shirt, luxuriating in the hunger lingering in her eyes.

  “Wait.” Her breathy voice calls out. I let my shirt drop and stare at her. She crooks a finger with a naughty glint in her eyes.

  I close the space between us. She bends down, positioning her flashlight so that it’s shining up at us. For the first time, I get a good look at her lacy bra. Her nipples are peeking through the thin fabric and more than anything I want to suck one into my mouth. But I stand stock-still, waiting for her to make a move.

  She dips her fingers inside my shirt, her slow strokes an excruciating tease tickling the skin above my jeans. I flex my abs and let out a rough moan at the contact. She gathers the cotton material, lifting it up and over my head. She tosses the shirt on the floor, discarded like the rest of her clothes and inhibitions. She adds her wet lips to the fingers caressing my chest. She flicks my nipple with her tongue, just about bringing me to my knees.

  Digging my fingers into the soft flesh at her sides, I tug her to me. I grind into her, letting her feel not-so-little Big Man, in all his full-mast glory. She slides her arms around my neck and pulls me down to her. Her mouth is demanding, devouring me in the dark. She curls her fingers in my hair, tugging as she moans into my mouth.

  We go from zero to a hundred in half a heartbeat. I slide my hand down her back. Finding my way inside her panties, I grab a handful of her perfect ass. She moans in approval and hooks her leg around my hip.

  I glide my fingers further into her panties to find her soaking wet. The sound that leaves my throat when I feel her wet pussy on my fingers is primal and possessive. Mine. I unlock my lips from hers and latch on to her neck, desperate to mark her. I nip and suck at the soft flesh as I slide a finger inside her.

  “Devin.” Her sweet voice calling my name slices me open.

  She tosses her bra aside and I suck her hard nipple into my mouth like I’ve been dreaming about doing all night. I back her against the Eiffel Tower.

  She clings to me, her breath shallow and desperate in my ear. I slide my hand between us for a better angle and plunge two fingers into her tight pussy. She feels so fucking good. Too good.

  I graze her clit with my palm while I pump my fingers into her. She digs her fingernails into my shoulders and I know she’s leaving her mark on me.

  “Devin. Yes. Yes.” My name on her lips, she comes apart in my arms and I’m a goner. This woman will be my undoing.

  I claim her mouth again, swallowing her moans. I’m still gliding my fingers in and out of her, milking every ounce of pleasure from her gorgeous body, when she tugs open the buttons on my jeans. I want to be inside Jessica Allen more than I want my next breath.

  “Hey!” A man’s voice echoes through the dark room. “This is private property.”

  Goddamnit.

  Jessie freezes like a deer in headlights, her hands still on my fly. I kick the flashlight away and cover her with my body to make sure no one gets a peek at what’s mine. Jessie starts shaking. She’s terrified.

  “It’s all right,” I tell her, cupping her face and giving her a soft, reassuring kiss. Her shaking stops, but I still don’t think she’s breathing.

  “You can’t be in here.” The stern voice is getting closer and the flashlight zeroing in on us from the other side of the Eiffel Tower.

  “Hold up, Bobby,” I call, my voice hard as rock.

  “Dev?” The voice softens. “That you, man?”

  “Yeah. It’s me. And I need you to stop where you are and give me a minute.”

  Bobby’s flashlight snaps to the front door and he lets out a light chuckle. “I got you, man.”

  When I pull away from Jessie, her face is bright red and she buries it in her hands. I grab my shirt off the floor and hand it to her to cover herself up while I go in search of the rest of her clothes scattered across the past few holes.

  Standing shirtless in the empty parking lot, staring at Bobby’s stupid grin, isn’t how I saw this night going. He’s nodding, eyes wide in anticipation, waiting for me to give him some juicy details. I ain’t telling this clown shit. He shakes his head and chuckles.

  “Should’ve given me a heads up, dude. I wouldn’t’ve cock-blocked if I’d known…” Bobby’s words trail off when Jessie steps out into the parking lot, fully dressed again and not able to look at us.

  “Don’t worry about it.” I sock him in the shoulder for staring just a little too long at Jessie.

  Jessie hands me my shirt. I slip it on and try to ignore the fact that it smells like her. I hope she smells like me too. Even in the dark there’s a blush burning across her face. I feel like shit for putting her in this position. I meant to push her limits, push her away, not embarrass her to death.

  “I’m Jessie.” She holds out her hand to Bobby, who gives it a vigorous shake.

  “Bobby.” He’s grinning like the fucking Cheshire Cat, looking between Jessie and me.

  “Nice to meet you.”

  An awkward silence surrounds the three of us. Take the fucking hint, dude.

  Bobby leans closer to me and whispers, “Nice.”

  “Jesus fucking Christ,” I grind out. My friends are fucking idiots.

  Jessie’s eyes snap closed and she lets out a loud, self-conscious laugh. I grab her hand and tug her toward the car.

  “Your putters,” Bobby calls to my back.

  “Keep ’em,” I growl, opening the passenger’s-side door for Jessie, and she slides in.

  “Nice to meet you too, Jessie.” Bobby gives her a stupid finger wave. She holds up a hand, pink surging on her cheeks. I slam the door and shoot Bobby a death stare.

  Jessie is creepy quiet the whole way to her place. She’s never quiet. I feel like shit. I fucked up, but I’m not good at apologies. I glance over at her. She’s watching the world pass by, an empty look on her face.

  I clear my throat. “Bobby’s an asshole.”

  “He’s not the only one.” Her voice is soft, but her words are brutal.

  “Excuse me?” I grit out.

  “You heard me.” She doesn’t waver, her tone easy and aloof. She’s fucking pissed.

  She turns to face me, eyes boring into the side of my face for asking a fucking stupid question. I keep my gaze locked out through the windshield, trying not to squirm under her angry glare. Silence engulfs us. I love silence. Quiet is my peace, but this isn’t that. This is torture. I’m used to her constant chattering. Teasing or seducing—she’s always talking. Except now. Now I’m not worth her words and it’s a knife to my fucking gut.

  She’s opening her door and jumping out before I’ve even come to a complete stop in front of her house. I turn off the engine and chase after her ass. By the time I make it to her, she’s got her keys in the door. Something tells me that if she makes it across that threshold, I’m not going to see her again. A few hours ago, that was the goal. I was trying to chase her way. Mission accomplished. Let’s throw a fucking party. Now I care enough to fight with her.

  I wrap an arm around her waist and brace against the doorframe to keep her from pulling us forward. From pulling away.

  “Sorry. I fucked up. I didn’t think we’d get caught,” I say into her soft hair.

  She crosses her arms. Her back is straight and her body is tense. I squeeze her tight, silently asking for a response.

  “Oh, so you don’t usually get caught with your putt-putt hook-ups?” Her words are fierce, but her voice sounds shattered.

  “Usually?” I ask her.

  She spins, snakes her arms between us and shoves me back. She’s slippery and strong like a damn ninja.

  “Yes. Usually. As in all the other hundreds of girls you’ve taken to your secret playground. Your shady den of sex.”

  I laugh. I can’t help it. She pins me to the sidewalk with a look that could kill me dead. I’m quick to wipe the smirk off my face. She’s not pissed we got caught. She’s jealous. I fucking love that she’s jealous.

&
nbsp; I hold up my hands. “I haven’t taken anyone there since high school. It’s closer to a den of teenage dumbfuckery.”

  Jessie’s stare softens, meaning she’s picturing punching me in the dick instead of full-on castration. I take a slow step towards her.

  “You’re saying that’s not your go-to take-down spot?” She asks. “Show a girl the world and she’ll show you a good time?”

  I shake my head, not fighting the stupid grin spreading across my face. “Just you.”

  She reaches out and grabs the collar of my shirt. “Keep it that way.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I ease into her, inching my lips to her. She doesn’t pull away.

  “I’m not going to be some girl you can fuck and forget.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  Her voice is shaky when she confesses, “This is important to me. You…” Her eyes go soft and she swallows hard before continuing. “Are important to me.”

  I cup her face, snake my fingers into her hair and kiss the everloving shit out of her. I leave no doubt that she’s the only woman I’ve been thinking about. The only one I can’t get out of my head. Or my heart.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Jessie

  I’m doodling on my notebook while Trevor drones on about something. I started this study group Freshman year. I don’t need it, but I’m the glue that keeps it going. If I’d stopped texting everyone and bringing in new members, it would have died off after that first semester. But tonight I couldn’t care less. All I can think about is how my three dates with Devin are over. I promised him I’d leave him alone now. Stay away from the shop. I’m not sure that is a promise I’m able to keep.

  Someone calling my name pulls me out of my haze.

  “Sorry, what was that?” I ask.

  “Did you have the notes from last Wednesday?” Andrea, the newest member of our group, asks.

  I make trumpet noises and pull my notebook out of my backpack with a flourish. “Jessie’s unparalleled note-taking skills to the rescue.”

  “Awesome! I’ll go make a quick copy for everyone.” She prances off and I’m jealous, missing the days I was that carefree.

  Trevor takes the empty seat next to me. “You okay? I haven’t seen you in forever. And you seem kind of out of it.”

  “Yeah. Fine.” I slap my notebook closed, hiding my doodles. “Just have a lot going on lately.”

  “Are you sure? You always have a lot going on.”

  “Marvelous, darling. Simply marvelous,” I drawl.

  “Tiptop?” he asks with a boyish lopsided grin.

  “Shipshape.”

  “A-okay?”

  “Yep.” I break routine with our standard playful banter. We usually go five or six rounds with cutesy salutations, but I just don’t have the patience tonight.

  “Well…” He runs his hands through his hair and blushes. “We could go grab a bite? If you wanted to talk or anything.”

  I’ve known Trevor since the second day of our Freshman year. And I’ve known he’s had a crush on me since the third. We flirt and tease—I even let him kiss me on New Year’s once—but he’s never been anything serious. He’s one of a million distractions that doesn’t seem so fun anymore.

  “I’m actually seeing someone.” It might be an exaggeration, but it doesn’t feel like a lie.

  “Oh, wow.” His eyes go wide and his jaw drops open. “Since when?”

  “A few weeks now.” I smile, remembering the past few weeks with Devin. The first time he touched me. The first time he kissed me. The first time he growled at me. I’m not ready for our firsts to be over.

  “Congrats, I guess,” Trevor adds with a dejected lilt. Poor guy. He never had a chance, but I guess he doesn’t know that.

  “Thanks. It’s been hard finding time to see him, but we’re trying.” I swallow hard and press my lips together tight. I might as well just tell him. “In fact, I think I’m going to stop coming to study group. For a little while at least.”

  “Oh,” Trever says, crestfallen.

  “I’m sorry. I’ve just got so much going on and I just don’t have the time anymore.” Guilt dumps over me like a bucket of ice water.

  “But you’re still going to be on the volleyball team next month, right?” he asks.

  I wince and shake my head. “I told Maddy I’m not going to be able to play.”

  He’s nodding but frowning. I feel like I’ve kicked a puppy. I want to take it back, tell him I’ll be there, but I won’t let myself. I picture Devin’s dark eyes to keep myself focused on what I really want.

  “I…I’m sorry,” I stutter.

  “Don’t worry about it. The year’s almost over anyway. Had to end sometime, right?”

  And with that, it’s over. I said no and the world didn’t end.

  My phone buzzes in my pocket and I’m thankful for the excuse to cut off the awkward chat. “Sorry, it’s my mom. Gotta take this.”

  He nods and turns his attention to Andrea.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “Jessie Bird! It’s so lovely to hear your voice. It will be even nicer to see your beautiful face this weekend.”

  Crap. I forgot it’s family dinner this week. “Yep. Looking forward to it.”

  “Are you bringing that new boy?”

  “Boy?” I laugh. Devin is many things, but I think he stopped being a ‘boy’ about a decade ago.

  “Jake said you’ve been seeing someone…”

  I blow out a deep breath. My middle brother has a fat mouth!

  “Oh, that. It’s pretty new,” I deflect.

  “Is it serious?” Mom presses.

  The line goes quiet. I can’t lie to her, but I sure as hell can’t tell her I’m in love for the first time in my life, either. She’ll be picking out wedding dresses and baby names in five seconds flat. Mom’s been dreaming about my wedding since the day I was born.

  “It’s…um…” Shit. “We’ve only had three dates.”

  “Jessica Bridget Allen, that isn’t an answer.”

  I sigh. “Yes. It’s serious. On my side at least.”

  She lets out a giddy squeal that an almost sixty-year-old woman has no business making.

  “Calm down, Mom. It’s still new.”

  “My Jessie Bird has a serious boyfriend! I thought this day would never come.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Oh, nothing, darling. You and Jamie are just like your father. All flirt and no falling in love.”

  “Huh?” That’s the first time I’ve ever heard my dad called a flirt. He’s never even looked at another woman.

  “He swore he’d never get married. But when he fell, he fell hard.” Her voice is wistful and sappy. “So, you’re bringing him.”

  It’s not a question. It’s a command.

  “I’ll ask. I don’t know what he’s got going on this weekend.”

  “Pish posh. Tell him I’m making pot roast. He’ll come.”

  I wish I had as much confidence in anything as Mom has in her pot roast.

  “I’ll make the pitch,” I promise, resigned to my fate. I might be able to tell Trevor and Maddy no, but I’m a long way off from being able to say those two terrifying letters to my mom.

  There’s clinking around on the other side of the line.

  “Mom?”

  “I’m just checking the cupboards. I need to go shopping. I’ll have to let you go.”

  Our dinner is more than a couple of days away, but my mom is going to rush to the store tonight—because I’m bringing a man home for dinner. This isn’t going to end well.

  * * * *

  I’ve hunkered down in the library, trying to squeeze in a few hours of study time before my social obligations take over my night. My phone buzzes and lights up with the shop number. I smile wide. “Missing me, Big Man?”

  “Hello to you too.” Rob’s light tenor and easy laugh sounds through the phone. Oops.

  “Sorry, Rob.” My cheeks catch fire. “I thought it was Devin.”

/>   “So I guessed. Sorry to disappoint you.”

  “No disappointment. What can I do for you?”

  “We’re looking to do an inventory tonight. Hoping to validate our new system. Finally silence all those naysayers.”

  Devin’s the last hold-out resisting the new system. Everyone else adores it. Even Mikey, once I showed him the voice input and icon options. Devin was pissed when he found us in the office at the crack of dawn. He was desperate for an explanation, but Mikey’s dyslexia is none of Devin’s business.

  “What time are you starting?” I ask Rob, wondering if I can make it after my dodgeball game.

  “We’re hoping to start as soon as we close up shop. But whenever you can make it, Jessie. I know you’re a busy young lady.”

  I pull my phone away and check the clock. It’s already past four o’clock. The shop closes in less than two hours. Damn it. I’d have to cancel my whole night. I toss my head back and shut my eyes. I’d much rather see Devin than any of the stupid other things I’m supposed to be doing.

  “Jessie? You still there?” Rob’s voice snaps me back to reality.

  “I’ll be there.”

  The coward that I am, I type out a text to Maddy and tell her I’m not going to make the game tonight. I stare down at my phone, waiting for the river of sad face emojis to come pouring in. Instead I get—

  Don’t worry about it. Now that we’re in the finals everyone wants to play! Ha. See ya later babe!

  Huh. Wasn’t expecting that. But that was the easy one. I take a deep breath, dial Hannah’s number and gnaw on my bottom lip.

  “Hey, Jessie. What’s up?” the sweet voice of my sorority’s president chirps in my ear.

  “Hey, Hannah. So, I hate to do this, but is there any way you could find someone else to host the board game night tonight?” There’s a quick pause and the awkwardness makes me keep blabbering. “I feel awful, but there’s—”

  “Hold on a sec,” Hannah cuts me off. Another long pause leaves me begging to make excuses. “Okay.”

  I shake my head. “Okay?”

  “Yeah. I just texted Michelle and she said she’d be happy to host. She was going anyway.”

  “Oh, great. Thanks!”