Don't Turn Back (Coming Home Book 1) (13 page)

I’m not sure if I embarrassed her, or if maybe she was afraid of what the kiss might lead to, but it was actually fun to let loose, laugh, and have a good time with her. Jennifer is starting to grow on me a little bit and I am enjoying her company. I can tell through some of her actions that she is not as experienced as I am in the dating field, but I can quickly remedy that if she allows me to.

I walk outside to the porch and start prepping the grill for our steaks. Jennifer returns to the door moments later. I try to read the expression on her face, but she doesn’t look me directly in the eye. Instead, she asks if I am ready for another beer. “I think I will wait for our supper to be ready before I have another. Thank you though. But you go ahead if you want one.” I think the beer is allowing her to relax and feel more comfortable around me.

Walking back inside, I let my eyes follow her.
Yes, she could grow on me
. 

I pull our steaks from the container in the refrigerator and place them on the counter. They have been marinating all afternoon, and my mouth is watering, thinking how fabulous they are going to taste. Jennifer starts getting our potatoes ready for the microwave. She promises me she can make a baked potato just as good in the microwave as she can in the oven. 

I head back to the patio and see the grill is just about ready for our steaks. I call back inside to her, and she meets me at the door holding the container in her hands. “Mmm, I can’t wait for these babies to be done.” She shares this with me then takes another swallow of her beer. 

“Babe, you better slow down on that beer. At the rate you’re going, I’m going to have to cut you off before the steaks are even ready.” She pokes me in the arm and winks at me.

“I’ll be okay. It’s not often I get to let loose. Rebecca and I are always so careful to limit ourselves when we go out. I’m actually going to kick back tonight and enjoy it.” She walks up close to me and brings her arm up around my waist. I’m surprised by her actions, but I know the beer is working on her.

I’m not sure how to respond, so I return the hug. She loses her balance and leans into me. I catch her stumble and hold her upright. “Oops, sorry ‘bout that.”

“It’s alright,” I tell her as she regains her balance and heads back to the kitchen. I’m thankful to know maybe the kiss from earlier was not a setback after all.

I turn the steaks, and the aroma drives me crazy. “Shouldn’t be too much longer. How’s it coming with the potatoes?” I call back to her. 

Meeting me at the entryway to the patio, she hands me an unopened beer and replies “Waiting on you.” Jennifer walks up beside me again, and I notice the glassy look in her eyes. One more beer, and this girl will be done for the night. Hopefully, when she gets some food in her, she will sober up some. Even though I told her I would wait on the beer until our food is ready, I go ahead and pop the top off the bottle. She’s right about kicking back and taking it easy tonight. I’ve been through a lot these last few weeks and I’m ready to relax as well.

We both sit on the swing again and wait for the steaks to finish cooking. I lay my arm across the back of her shoulder, and she leans into me, placing her own hand on my leg. She lays her head back to rest on my arm, and I make a mental note of how she fits perfectly in the crook of my arm.
Focus, Brian. Focus
.
Don’t let the effects of the beer get to your head, too.

Our conversation continues for a few more minutes. Then I stand up from the swing and pull the steaks from the grill. I extend my hand out to her and help her stand up to head back inside. 

We both sit down to the table and she selects the smaller of the two steaks. We load up our baked potatoes, and she picks her beer bottle up towards me. Holding it in the air, I bring mine up to clink with hers, and she says, “Cheers. Here’s to new friendship, great company and a damn good-looking meal. Hope it tastes as good as it smells.”

“Cheers,” I echo. We both dig in to our meal, and I must admit, I did a damn good job with the steaks. Her baked potato is not bad either. 

Jennifer and I spend the next half hour sharing more stories with each other. I really think this girl is probably the nicest person I have ever spent time with. She’s so carefree and is always saying the sweetest things with a constant smile on her face. I don’t even think she could frown if she tried.

“We did a fabulous job tonight, huh?” I ask her. I stand up to clear the table and she remains in her chair. I look over at her and can’t help but laugh. “What’s the matter, baby. You have a little too much to drink?”

She rolls her eyes at me in a playful way. As she stands, the look on her face tells me she is done for the night. I convince her to let me put away the dishes, so she picks out the movie we are going to attempt to watch.  She doesn’t mention anything to me about leaving tonight, and I don’t bother bringing it up either.

Brian starts to clear away our dishes, so I walk to the living room. I close up the patio and lock the doors, pulling the blinds closed behind me. I pop one of the movies into the DVD player and walk to the couch. Before I sit down, I figure I’ll probably feel more comfortable in something else.

I stop by my bedroom to grab some clothes to change into before heading to the bathroom. I glance at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I can’t believe I drank so much beer tonight. There’s a knock on the bathroom door, startling me. “You okay in there?” I hear Brian ask from the other side. I open the door up, and I can see his eyes take in my current attire. I must admit, I definitely feel more comfortable in my tank top and pajama shorts. I hope this isn’t too revealing for him, or that it encourages him into thinking that I might want something more.

“Yeah, I just wanted to get more comfortable.” I tell him. I notice he too is holding a pair of gym shorts and a t-shirt in his hands. “Looks like you’re going to do the same, huh?”

“I got the kitchen all tidied up. You ready for the movie?”

“Sure, you go ahead and change, and I’ll save you a spot on the couch.” I angle my face towards his and flash him a slight grin. Maybe I’m flirting with him a bit too much, but it sure feels good.

Minutes later, Brian returns from the bathroom, and I cannot believe what is standing before me.
What the hell?
I’m sure my mouth is hanging open as I stare at this extremely fine specimen standing right here in my living room. I guess he changed his mind about the t-shirt, because he’s wearing nothing but his shorts now. I think back to earlier when he walked around wearing nothing but my bathroom towel. Who knew that hidden underneath his clothes would be such an unbelievable body? Brian has a natural glow to his skin tone, and it appears as though he works outside, shirtless, in the sun. I’m sure the alcohol is influencing me because of the tingling sensation I am feeling right now, just by him simply standing in front of me. I would love to slide my hands over those abs.

I reach over and pat the couch for him to sit down. “I would offer to make some popcorn for us, but I’m still stuffed from that delicious steak you made,” I tell him.

“It was pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. But, I agree. I don’t think I could eat anything else right now, even if I wanted to.”

I lean over to turn off the lamp just as the previews are finishing and the comedy we chose starts playing. Several minutes into the movie, I grab the blanket that is folded and thrown over the back of the couch. “I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a little chilled.” I drape the blanket over me and pull it up to my neck. I’m not sure if it’s the coolness in the air or the intense heat radiating from him, but I’m thankful the room is dark. In the light, he would see my nipples poking through my tank top.

He looks over at me and with a flirty tone, asks, “So, are you going to hog that blanket all for yourself or are you going to share it with me?”

Am I really hearing him?
Did he just imply that he wants to get under the blanket together? Of course, I’m sure that his not wearing a shirt probably has something to do with him asking me to share.

I slide over beside him, and I immediately feel the heat coming from his shirtless body. He places his arm behind my neck as I cuddle into his chest and pull the blanket up around both of us. I’ve been out with other guys and spent time with them alone, but the feeling I’m getting from Brian is something completely different. I want to explore and get to know him, but I’m still hesitant about this stranger I met only days ago. There is certainly an attraction between us, and I know it’s not just the alcohol talking. 

As the movie plays on, I lose complete focus on it and honestly can’t tell you what it’s about. I am so lost in this moment, right here with his arm draped over me. Nothing feels more special than this. All of a sudden, I feel Brian lift his arm, and he is moving his fingers around. I figure his arm must be falling asleep, so I lift my head. 

“Mind if I lay my head down?” I ask as soon as he gets settled again.

“Go right ahead. Make yourself comfortable.” He tells me.

Readjusting myself on the couch, I place my head in his lap, and he throws the blanket back over us. Once again, I make an attempt to focus on the movie. I feel the effects of the alcohol take over my body because suddenly, I’m very sleepy.

We both must have drifted off to sleep because when I open my eyes again, the room is completely dark. Brian must have switched the television off sometime after the movie ended. He feels my slight movement, and he too starts to shift. 

“Come on, let me help you get into bed.” He leans forward as I make an attempt to stand up from the couch. I’m still a little uneasy on my feet, thanks to the alcohol, so I reach out to grab his hand. He guides me down the hallway to my bedroom. 

As I reach out to pull back the covers, Brian steadies me and whispers in my ear. “Go ahead and climb in. I’ll make sure you get covered up.”

“Where are you going?” I ask, suddenly afraid he’s about to leave.

“Baby, I’m putting you to bed. Then, I’m going to head on out.” He tells me the words I really don’t want to hear.

“No, please stay. Please stay tonight with me.” I beg him, as though I’m not sure I will see him again. 

“Are you sure? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable or anything.” I feel the genuine concern in his voice.

I pull the covers back slightly and tap my hand to the pillow. “Here, crawl in here with me.” As I am saying this, the thought crosses my mind again how very little I know about this guy. Quickly pushing it from my head, I tell myself maybe he was put into my life for a reason.

Brian climbs in next to me, and I roll over on my side. He snuggles up behind me and wraps his arm around my waist. I have never shared this kind of moment with anyone before; Brian will actually be the first guy to spend the night with me. 

I suddenly feel his fingers as they slowly trail up and down my arm. He’s being ever so gentle with his touch, and I am loving every moment with him. Unable to control myself any longer, I push my butt up against him, as close as I can possibly get. He moves his hand down to the side of my hip, and I can feel that he, too, pushes himself closer against me. All of a sudden, I feel him becoming erect as it touches my backside through my pajama bottoms. I am instantly turned on, not frightened at all by his reaction. I don’t actually know how to handle myself, or the situation, so I start to grind against him more, careful not to appear too desperate, too fast.