Rebound Therapy (Rebound #1) (3 page)

“Nice? That’s all you’re going to give me?”

“We talked, he brought me home, he was the perfect gentleman.”

“Gentleman, huh? Too bad. I was hoping for a bad boy for your rebound. Maybe the next one.”

“Next one? I’m moving on already?”

“Wait. Are you going out again?”

“He said he’d call me this week. We’re supposed to get together to watch
The Princess Bride
. He’s never seen it.”

“What? Has he been living under a rock his whole life?”

“I guess. Anyway, he said I should show it to him to rectify this horrible situation.”

“I don’t know, Jen. Maybe you should move on. Never seen
The Princess Bride
? Perfect gentleman? It’s not looking too promising.”

“Not too promising for what? The guy doesn’t deserve a second date? You’re the one who’s been pushing this. I thought you’d be happy I’m going to see him again.”

“Well, the point was to have a rebound, not a relationship.”

“What does that mean?”

“You know what they say—the best way to get over someone is to get under someone new.”

“Amy, that’s disgusting.”

“I just call it like I see it. Besides, the point was to get you unstuck, not stick you into a new relationship right away.”

“Brian’s nice, Amy. I like him. I feel comfortable with him.”

“That’s what I mean, Jenna. I wanted you to go out and get laid. Snap you out of your funk. Not find you a new guy friend. Did he at least hold your hand or something?”

“Yeah. He kissed me. Twice.”

“Twice? Well, maybe this guy has some promise after all. How was it?”

“It was nice.”

“Just nice? That’s all? Open mouth or closed?”

I sigh. “You’re really going to drag all the gory details out of me? Yes, just nice. Closed mouth. On the lips both times. Longer than a peck, nicer than a peck for sure. But not overly long.”

It’s Amy’s turn to sigh at me. “Well, at least it wasn’t a peck. And twice is a good sign. That means he liked the first time well enough. I wonder why he’s moving so slow, though?”

“Probably because he’s not a douche just out to get in my pants,” I say dryly.

“Maybe. I guess it was just a first date. You don’t want him to think you’re easy or anything. But I was hoping you’d have at least invited him in and gotten more than a ‘nice’ kiss.”

“Like what?”

“Oh, you know—a hot kiss, maybe some heavy petting.”

“You’re impossible.”

“I know. It’s part of my charm. Keep me posted.”

“Like you’d let me do otherwise.”

*

On Tuesday Brian calls me.

“I know we were going to watch
The Princess Bride
this week, but I was hoping I could get a rain check on that. There’s a midnight showing Saturday night of
The
Rocky Horror Picture Show
at the indie theater downtown. A bunch of my friends are going. What do you say—are you up for it?”

“I’ve never seen
The
Rocky Horror Picture Show
. “

“What? You were hassling me about
The Princess Bride
and you haven’t seen
Rocky Horror
? That settles it. You have to come.”

“Okay. I’ll come.”

“Great. I’ll come over early to help you get in costume, and then we can grab a bite to eat before the movie.”

“Costume?”

“Yeah. Everyone dresses up as characters from the movie. It’s loads of fun. You’ll love it.”

“I’ve never seen the movie, Brian. How am I supposed to know what to wear as a costume?”

“That’s why I’m coming over to help you. Don’t worry. I won’t make you dress too crazy. I’ll meet you at your place at nine thirty. Is that okay?”

“How long will it take to get in costume. I don’t live that far from downtown.”

He laughs. “Don’t worry. It won’t be really elaborate. But that’ll give us plenty of time to get food after we’re ready to go.”

“You’re planning on going out in costume? It’s not even close to Halloween. People will think we’re crazy.”

“That or they’ll think we’re going to see
Rocky Horror
. But if it makes you feel better, I’ll bring a pizza.”

“Yeah, let’s do pizza. It’ll be bad enough going to a theater in costume.”

Brian laughs again. “Okay, pizza it is. I’ll see you at nine thirty on Saturday.”

CHAPTER THREE

Brian arrives on Saturday right on time, pizza in hand.

“Hey,” he says when I open the door.

“Hi. Come on in.”

I take the pizza and set it on the kitchen table, then move to the cabinets to get plates. When I turn around, Brian’s right there. He takes the plates out of my hands, sets them on the counter, then leans in and kisses me. This one lingers more than his kisses goodnight after our last date. Still sweet, but with a promise of something more.

He pulls back and flashes me a grin. “You ran away with the pizza before I could say a proper hello.”

“Hi,” I say again. His smile grows bigger. Apparently he gets a kick out of flustering me.

I retrieve the plates from the counter and take them to the table. “There are drinks in the fridge,” I call over my shoulder. “Help yourself.”

“Sure,” he says, opening the fridge. “What do you want?”

“Grab me a soda. I think I need the caffeine tonight.”

“I promise you won’t be bored.” There’s a glint of mischief in his eyes.

“I’m not sure if that’s reassuring or not.”

He just laughs. I spot a shopping bag on the table next to the pizza. “Is that my costume?” I’m trying to keep the nerves out of my voice, but I can tell he notices. He just keeps smiling.

“Don’t worry. It’s nothing bad. You won’t even feel that dressed up, I promise.”

I pull the bag over while Brian helps himself to some pizza. It’s from Mangiamo’s, the gourmet pizza place across the street from The Barrel Room, Brian’s wine bar. It looks and smells delicious.

I look inside the bag and see nothing but white. I pull it out and realize it’s a white, knee-length dress. There’s also a white cardigan. He’s right. This isn’t much of a costume. It just seems like normal clothes, if not my usual style. That’s all that’s in the bag.

“Is your costume in the car?” I ask.

“Nope, this is it. I have a few props in the car, but I’m already dressed.”

I look him over in gray slacks and a normal looking shirt. He’s already taken off the tan windbreaker he was wearing when he came in. He reaches over to his jacket and pulls out a pair of black hipster-like glasses and puts them on. “The lenses are just glass,” he says, tapping one with a finger. “What do you think?”

“When you said we’d be going in costume, I guess I expected something a little more … interesting.”

Brian laughs again. He has a great laugh. “Well, I figured I’d go easy on you since it’s your first time. Virgins aren’t expected to dress up, but it’s more fun if you do.”

I quirk an eyebrow at that last bit. “Virgins?”

“You know. People who haven’t experienced
Rocky Horror
before. Since you’ve never even seen the movie, it’ll be a whole new experience. Believe me, there will be people in far more ‘interesting’ costumes there. But we’re going as Brad and Janet. I thought you’d be more comfortable in that outfit than some of the other options, especially since you don’t know anything about the characters.”

“That was crazy,” I say as Brian drives me home at two in the morning.

Brian looks over at me and flashes me a grin. “Did you have fun, though?”

I grin right back at him. “I did. That was fun.”

Now, in his car, I’m still picking rice out of my hair and hidden folds in my dress.

“I’ve never been to a movie with so much audience participation. Throwing toast and rice and everything. How many times have you gone to one of these?”

“Once or twice,” he says. “I think it’s fun, but I’m not as into it as some people are.”

“Who do you usually dress up as?”

He laughs at that. “Why? Are you imagining me in a corset or tiny gold shorts?”

“Maybe. Have you ever worn them?”

“No. I’m not that brave.”

Brian reaches over and places his hand over mine where it sits on my leg. I turn my hand palm up, and he threads his fingers through mine.

He’s been holding my hand off and on all night. In the theater, he sat with his arm around me. Just casual touches, nothing too forward. But I feel my pulse speeding up each time he initiates something. Holding my hand, guiding me through a door with his hand in the small of my back, his arm around me as he sits next to me.

We ride the rest of the way to my apartment in comfortable silence, just holding hands.

He walks me to my door again, and gives me another kiss before I can even get my keys out.

“I’m glad you came with me.” His voice is soft, his face still close enough to mine that I can feel his breath on my lips.

“Me too.” I fish my keys out and start to unlock my door.

“It’s late. You probably want to go in and go to bed.”

I shake my head. “No, come in. It’ll take me a while to wind down and be able to sleep. I’d like the company.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’ve had fun tonight. I’m not ready for it to end yet. Stay for a while.”

Brian follows me inside. Once I close the door, he pulls me in close and gives me another kiss. This one is more demanding, more forceful. I feel his tongue slide along my lower lip, seeking entrance. I open a little and that’s all the encouragement he needs. He tilts his head for a better angle and deepens the kiss.

I wrap my arms around his shoulders and hang on, enjoying the sensation of his hands on my hips, pulling my body against his. He breaks off the kiss and looks down into my face. Then he kisses me again, this time enjoying a more leisurely taste.

When that kiss ends I step back a little and try to catch my breath. Brian is still holding onto my hips, but there’s some space between us now.

I take another step back, breaking contact. “I’m going to go change into my own clothes. Feel free to help yourself to a drink if you want.”

I come back out of my room in lounge pants and a comfortable tank top. “Here’s the costume.” I put it back in the bag he brought it over in and hold it up so he can see.

“Keep it. I got it for you.” He’s gotten himself a Mike’s Hard Lemonade out of the fridge that was left over from the last time Amy and I had a movie night. I grab one for myself and join him on the couch. He pulls me in close and kisses me again. I can taste the tart sweetness of his drink on his lips and tongue. I have to pull away for a moment so I can take a drink of my own and then set it on the coffee table.

After a few minutes, Brian pulls me into his lap, straddling him. I can feel the evidence of his arousal through the fabric of his slacks. He pulls me in close and kisses me again, then my jaw, lingering on the pulse fluttering just beneath. He kisses his way down my neck to my collarbone. As he continues lower, I catch his head, stopping him with my hands. He stops, then looks up, eyebrows ruffled in confusion.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I haven’t … been with anyone since Tom. Anyone other than Tom. I just…I don’t think I’m ready yet. For that.”

Brian sighs, then leans back into the couch cushions with his eyes closed. I can tell he’s processing, trying to figure out what to say. A muscle bulges where he clenches and unclenches his jaw.

“I’m sorry,” I say again as I climb off his lap. “I wasn’t trying to lead you on. I just … can’t. Not tonight.”

He opened his eyes when I got up, and now is just looking at me. “Don’t be sorry. I get it.” His mouth turns up into a smile tinged with a little regret. “I can’t say I like it, but I get it.” He pulls me back onto the couch next to him and wraps an arm around my shoulders. He gives me another kiss, this one soft and sweet, before pulling back and picking up his drink again.

“You don’t want to go?” There’s apprehension in my voice.

“Do you want me to go?”

“No. This is nice. I just— I wasn’t sure you’d want to stay.” I’m more relieved than I’d like to admit that he isn’t ready to just bail on me.

“I like spending time with you, Jenna.” He smiles. “I’m not just trying to get in your pants. I wouldn’t be upset about that, but that’s not my only goal here.” I smile back, and relax against him.

CHAPTER FOUR

The first thing I notice when I wake up is the crick in my neck. The second thing is that I’m pressed up against a warm body. Brian. I fell asleep leaning against Brian, cradled against his chest with his arm around me.

I bring a hand to my face and check to make sure I haven’t drooled on him in my sleep. That would be embarrassing. It’s bad enough that I literally fell asleep on him after our second date. I would die if I drooled on the man, too.

Good. No drool on my face, no wet spots on his shirt.

The sun is up, so I know it’s morning, but can’t tell how late it is.

I feel Brian shift, and look up to see him watching me.

“Good morning,” he says, and I feel his chest rumble a little with his hoarse morning voice.

“Morning,” I say back. “How long have you been awake?”

“Not long.”

“Were you watching me?”

“You’re cute when you’re trying to find your bearings. Were you wiping drool off your chin?”

I feel myself flush with embarrassment. “No.” I start to push myself up to sit on my own, but he holds me against him.

“That’s what it looked like.” He’s grinning like a loon now.

“There wasn’t any to wipe off,” I say primly. “So, no, I wasn’t.”

He chuckles. “Fair point.” He lets go, then, and I sit up. He stretches his arms overhead, and I can’t help but admire him, all rumpled from sleeping on my couch, but still handsome. I catch a glimpse of skin where his shirt rides up. He shoots me a knowing smile. “What time is it?”

I lean back to catch the time on the microwave in the kitchen. “Seven twenty-three. No wonder I’m still so tired. What time did we go to sleep?”

“Well, I think you fell asleep between three and three thirty.”

I’m sitting sideways on the couch facing him now, with my arm propped on the back of the couch. I cover my face with my hand. “I can’t believe I fell asleep on you. Why didn’t you wake me up and go home?”