“I know, I know,” I said in answer to Jackson’s comment. “It’s not as extravagant as the one you made me, but Skylar apparently got all of the artistic ability, so I had to improvise.”
“No, really, Silly,” Jackson smiled, studying my handiwork. “It’s great.”
He looked up then and leaned over, wrapping his long arms around and pulling me close in a warm embrace. Once he released me, he stood and carried the CD case with him over to the entertainment center. He removed the disc and popped it into the player, fiddled with some knobs and buttons and then suddenly the room was filled with the sound of the haunting music and sultry sound of Meredith Brooks singing a litany of questions about what would happen because of a kiss.
I smiled as the music filled the room, and Jackson grinned back as he said, “I’ll be right back.”
He disappeared into the next room and returned a moment later with a plate filled with fresh strawberries and a bowl of chocolate sauce. “Dessert,” he explained as he sank back down on the floor beside me.
“Looks yummy,” I replied as Jackson plucked up a strawberry and dipped it into the chocolate. He lifted it and brought it to my mouth. Grinning sheepishly, I opened my mouth and took a bite. I moaned at the sweet flavors as I took another bite of the strawberry.
Jackson smiled as he finished the last bite. Then I picked up another strawberry and dipped it in the chocolate and brought it Jackson’s lips.
“This is the best Valentine’s Day I’ve ever had,” I admitted between bites.
“Me too,” Jackson agreed, leaning in and kissing me firmly on the lips. His mouth tasted sweetly of the chocolate and strawberries he’d just swallowed. When he pulled away, his lips were swollen red, and I was certain mine looked much the same. I just hoped it that would fade before I got home.
I picked up another strawberry and dipped it in chocolate. As I lifted it to Jackson’s mouth, some of the rich liquid cocoa dripped from the strawberry, landing on my other arm.
“Oops,” I giggled as Jackson bit into the strawberry I held. I looked around for a napkin to wipe away the chocolate, but before I could locate one, Jackson lifted my arm and licked the chocolate away with one swipe.
I swallowed hard and bit my lip. My face burned brightly as he brought his lips to mine once more. He sucked lightly on my bottom lip before kissing from my jaw down to my neck. I felt a knot building in my stomach, but I wasn’t sure what it was from. Nervousness? Anticipation? I couldn’t say; all I was certain of was that I didn’t want him to stop.
He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer. I brought my hands up to rest on his shoulders as he brought his other arm around me. He brought his lips back to mine, and this time I darted my tongue out experimentally. Normally, I was too shy to make that first move and let Jackson deepen our kisses, but I was feeling a bit brave. He parted his lips instantly, and he touched his tongue to mine as his hands slid from my waist up to the small of my back.
My arms tightened around his shoulders as we moved simultaneously, almost as if synchronized, until I was lying on my back. In the back of my mind, I felt awed by how smoothly we’d moved together. Normally, I was so clumsy. Tripping. Falling. Running into things. My hand eye coordination was usually sorely lacking. With Jackson it was different; we seemed to click in some strange and mysterious way.
I almost laughed at my ridiculousness. I was lying on the floor with Jackson holding his weight away from me with one hand as his body heat surrounded me and his other hand slid up from my waist toward my chest, and here I was thinking about coordination. I forced my brain to shut off and tried to focus on the sensation of Jackson’s hands on me, but as he hesitantly cupped my left breast with his right hand, I couldn’t help but thank heavens I’d finally grown some breasts.
My whole body felt warm, and I was glad Jackson’s lips were back on mine because I wasn’t sure I could handle feeling his eyes on me while he felt me up. The thought alone was mortifying enough. Somewhere in the back of my stupid mind—that refused to shut up and enjoy—it occurred to me that I had just made it to second base—sexually speaking, of course—for the first time. Although, it occurred to me, I’d never made it to second base when we’d played baseball in P.E. either.
This was all so new and thrilling. It was also a bit nerve-wracking as well. Doubts about how I was faring with my more experienced boyfriend tried to worm their way into my head, but I calmed myself by combing the fingers of one hand through Jackson’s soft hair. When I experimentally massaged his scalp, he moaned against my mouth.
It was encouraging, but my thoughts scattered when Jackson’s thumb brushed against the most sensitive part of my breast. The most awesome sensation jolted through my entire body, and I chastised myself for ever thinking—aside from breastfeeding that—nipples were useless.
I moaned into our kiss, unable to stop the noise from escaping, and Jackson smiled against my mouth. He lifted his eyes and they met mine. He didn’t speak, but instead smiled gently. The corners of my lips lifted, mirroring his smile, and he leaned in once more and kissed me softly, chastely before he pulled away, rolling onto his back.
I turned my head to watch him as he took a few deep, steadying breaths. After a moment he reached over and took my hand. He lifted it to his chest and just held it there. I studied him as he stared up at the ceiling. He finally cleared his throat, closing his eyes, as he said, “I think maybe we should watch a movie.”
I felt faintly disappointed that our make-out session was over, but a warm, fluttery feeling seemed to fill my belly as I realized that the suggestion had nothing to do with his own desire to stop but more to do with respect for me and my boundaries.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Valentine’s Day was easily one of the best experiences of my life. Of course making out was great, but my favorite part of the night was when Jackson and I cuddled on the couch—after making out—while watching a movie. We stayed out until the hour grew late. Not wanting to be late for curfew, Jackson drove me home, holding my hand the entire way. Then he walked me to the front door, and we ended what I could only think of as a perfect, romantic night with an amazing kiss.
My joy was only slightly tarnished by Luke lurking in the foyer when I entered the house. I could only hope he hadn’t been watching us kiss like some kind of creeper. In truth, I was surprised he was home. I’d have thought he’d have plans, but, then again, he really hadn’t been seeing anyone—seriously or casually—since Brooke. The band had taken priority above all else, which reminded me of what Skylar had told me earlier.
“I hear you’re not playing baseball this year,” I commented by way of greeting.
Luke stopped pacing in the doorway. His eyes narrowed as he stared me down. “Where’d you hear that?”
“A little birdy told me.” I shrugged off my coat, ignoring Luke’s intense stare.
“Skylar,” he muttered. “She didn’t say anything to Mom or Dad, did she?”
“I don’t think so. Not unless she did it after I left with Jackson.” As I opened the coat closet, I heard Luke exhale, obviously relieved. “When are you going to break the news to Dad?”
“Shit, I don’t know,” Luke muttered. I glanced at him over my shoulder. His hands were buried in his hair and his eyes were closed. The stress was plain on his face and sympathy swelled within me.
“Maybe you should talk to Mom first,” I suggested, relaying my earlier thoughts. “She might be able to help soften the blow.”
Luke grimaced, shaking his head. I knew, instinctively, he wasn’t saying no to my suggestion. He was likely thinking that there would be no way to soften the news that would likely both break our father’s heart and send down the wrath of God.
I considered making the request that he not tell Dad when I was around because I wasn’t sure I wanted to be in the crossfire, but I was certain that would do nothing to help Luke’s obvious anxiety. Instead, I wished him luck, patting him on the arm, as I made my way to the stairs
.
Skylar arrived shortly after I did. She came into the bathroom as I was washing the makeup from my face. Her hair was in disarray, her clothes wrinkled and her makeup smeared. She also had a dreamy smile plastered on her face, and I could only assume that dinner and sex beat out dinner and a party. From the look of things, Skylar wasn’t disappointed in the least.
Luke also appeared at the doorway to the bathroom, dressed in his nightwear—lounge pants and a ratty t-shirt, so I assumed he’d come to brush his teeth before bed. He glanced from me to Skylar, and then his nose wrinkled. “God, woman,” he scowled. “You need to shower. You reek of sex.”
Skylar’s dreamy smile shifted into a proud grin. Luke made a noise that made his disgust evident, and I grimaced, hurrying to wash away the rest of the facial cleanser.
“You’re just jealous,” Skylar shrugged as Luke shouldered past her into the room to grab his toothbrush. Certain that Luke and Skylar were about to have another of their spiteful spats, I dried my face quickly and made to flee from the room. “I bet even Silly got more action tonight than you did.”
I groaned as Luke’s head snapped in my direction, looking me over as if the thought had only just occurred to him. I guessed then that he hadn’t seen Jackson and I kissing at the front door. I didn’t even bother to address Skylar’s claim and dashed to my room, hoping that Luke wouldn’t get a bug up his ass and decide to come after my boyfriend in some misguided attempt to actually act like an older brother.
The next afternoon at school, as I recounted the evening Jackson had planned for us, Tegan said that I had a ridiculously dreamy smile on my face that probably could have rivaled Skylar’s. At first I’d been a little unsure if I should tell Tegan about my night with Jackson. I’d always thought it was stupid when girls ran and gushed to their friends, revealing all of the gory details of their relationship. I’d always thought it was somewhat disrespectful to their boyfriends because some things just seemed like they should remain private.
After Valentine’s Day, though, my opinion wavered just a bit. It seemed impossible not to tell Tegan. I felt like a blubbering, giggly fool. Instead of giving her a play by play of every little detail, I glossed over some parts of the night—namely kissing and being felt up—but she seemed to be able to read between the lines and understand that a little more happened than I was saying.
Once I’d finished with the retelling of the previous evening, Tegan confessed that she was still a little uneasy about her gift from Mark. Even though the roses were sent anonymously, she knew who they were from. I was still trying to ease her into the idea of giving Mark a chance.
To his credit, Mark had been good about not crowding her. He still complimented her and made casual conversation, but he was just as nervous as Tegan. He’d been ecstatic when I told him what Tegan had said about giving him a chance as long as he stopped the bullying completely.
“No problem,” he’d shrugged easily. “I haven’t done that in months.”
I’d suspected as much, and it was good to hear it confirmed. With Tegan tentatively open to the idea of a date, Mark asked me for advice on what to do or where to go. Because of his nervousness, I half wondered if he’d ever been out on a date before. I wasn’t stupid enough to ask.
A couple of days after Valentine’s Day, I overheard Stevie talking to Nick and Toby before the start of band practice about some of the upcoming concerts. Mark and Robby hadn’t arrived yet, and Luke was inside talking to Mom. I thought it might be about baseball, which made sense because Dad was working late; therefore, it would be one of the rare moments when Luke could talk to Mom without Dad overhearing.
Most of the concerts Stevie, Nick or Toby mentioned were for more obscure bands, but it did give me an idea to pitch to Mark. Instead of sticking around for band practice, I went upstairs to my room to do a little research. When I told Mark my idea, he seemed excited; both because he finally had an idea what to do on a date and because the tickets were fairly cheap.
The hardest part, however, proved to be the actual asking.
“You should just ask her,” I insisted. The concert in question was on the first Friday in March, and Mark had the tickets tucked safely away in his wallet. He even knew what he was going to wear to the concert.
“If you don’t get your butt in gear,” I warned, “you’re going to end up at the concert alone.”
Mark made a face and sulked away, muttering promises that he’d ask Tegan out soon. I threw my hands up in exasperation and went to class.
I’d all but resigned myself to the fact that Mark and Tegan were never going to happen when, one week before the concert in question, Tegan came running down the hallway as I was leaving my locker and about to head out to the parking lot to meet Jackson.
“He asked me,” Tegan panted, holding her chest as she took a few deep breaths. Naturally, I was confused. When I raised an eyebrow, as if to ask what she was talking about, she sighed, rolling her eyes. “Mark. He asked me out on a date.”
“Oh!” A smile spread across my face. “What did he say?”
“Well, he got tickets to see Nickelback, Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace,” she grinned. “Someone apparently told him that I’m a big Nickelback fan.”
“Hmm.” I smiled innocently, and she glared playfully before a smile also spread across her face. “So what did you tell him?”
“Of course I said yes,” she laughed.
I laughed as well, but my laughter was wrought from relief. I’d been so on edge over the whole situation for weeks, and there had been a small part of me that shared Mark’s anxiety and uncertainty as to whether Tegan would say yes when Mark finally asked. “So you’re excited?”
“Yes and no,” Tegan admitted, frowning just a little. “I’ve been waiting for him to ask, so it’s a relief that he finally did. But I’m also nervous.” She worried her bottom lip between her teeth. “I have no idea what I’m going to do. I’ve never really had more than a fifteen-minute conversation alone with him. And we’ll be alone in the car for at least an hour!”
I tried to be encouraging and reassuring. “I’m sure it will be fine.”
“I hope so, Sil.” Tegan didn’t look so sure.
“Well, you can’t back out of it,” I advised her. “He already went to so much trouble to get the tickets and everything.”
“I know. Besides, I wouldn’t do that,” Tegan sighed. “I’m just nervous.”
“We have a week to figure something out.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Come on. Jackson and Tierney are probably waiting for us.”
Tegan sighed and dragged her feet all the way out to the parking out.
“I’ll call you later,” I assured her. “We’ll figure something out. I promise.”
“Thanks,” Tegan smiled and waved as she skipped across the damn parking lot.
I knew if I did such a thing, I’d end up flat on my ass. Such is life, I thought as I made my way much more slowly to the back of the parking lot, where Jackson parked. Before I even got a few steps away from the sidewalk, though, Jackson backed out of his parking space and drove toward me.
I smiled when the car came to a stop in front of me and pulled the door open. “Thanks,” I said as I slid into the passenger’s seat.
“No problem,” he grinned. Once I had the door closed and my seatbelt fastened, Jackson shifted back into drive and drove us out of the parking lot.
As he drove, I rested my head against the glass. I couldn’t stop thinking about Tegan. I really wanted things to go okay for her and Mark. Though for different reasons, I knew Tegan wasn’t the only one who was nervous. I couldn’t blame either her or Mark. As Tegan mentioned, they’d never spent that much time one on one. I cringed at the idea of them spending an awkward evening alone.
“Okay,” Jackson said, cutting into my thoughts as he switched off the radio. “You’re too quiet. What’s up?”
“Sorry, I was just thinking.” I smiled apologetically.
“About?�
� Jackson prompted.
“Mark finally asked Tegan out on a date.”
“Oh,” Jackson said slowly. “What was the verdict?”
“She said yes. He’s taking her to a Nickelback, Breaking Benjamin, and Three Days Grace concert,” I explained. “She’s excited about that, but I think maybe nerves outweigh the excitement.”
“Does she not want to go with Mark?” It was a reasonable enough assumption on Jackson’s part, but I shook my head.
“I don’t think it’s that. I just think she hasn’t gotten to know him well enough on her own to be comfortable,” I explained. “If that makes any sense.”
“Yeah, I get it,” Jackson nodded. “So are you devising a plan to help her out?”
I blushed a little, sighing. “I’d like to help, but I’m coming up empty.”
Jackson’s brows knit together as he came to a red stoplight. He glanced over at me. “When’s the concert?”
“Next Friday.”
Jackson considered for a moment. “Are tickets still available?”
“I think so,” I nodded. “It’s just general admission.”
“Well, we could get tickets and all go together and make it a double,” Jackson suggested as the light turned green and he accelerated forward.
“Really? You wouldn’t mind?”
“Not at all,” Jackson shrugged. “I think it would be fun.”
“Thanks, Jacks.” It felt like a weight had been lifted. “I’ll call Mark and Tegan later and check with them. I don’t think they’ll mind.”
“Just let me know, and I’ll see if I can get Friday off and I should probably get the tickets as soon as possible.”
“Ticket,” I corrected. “I can pay for my own.” Or, at least, I hoped my parents would, I thought.
“No, it was my idea, so I’ll pay,” Jackson insisted, looking over just long enough for me to see his smirk.
“Fine,” I huffed. “But I’m getting dinner.”
Infinite (Strange and Beautiful, Book 1) Page 49