Chapter Eleven
CHAPTER ELEVEN
STASSI
Driving back to the apartment and I feel like every nerve is alive in my body. I glance over at Frenchie, his red hair tousled from the wind. His eyes are focused on the road, but I can see a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"So," I say, breaking the comfortable silence. "What's the plan when we get back?"
Frenchie chuckles, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. "Well, I was thinking we could watch a movie. Unless you had something else in mind?"
I bite my lip, considering. "That sounds perfect, actually. As long as I get to pick the movie."
"Deal," he says, squeezing my hand. "But no chick flicks."
I gasp in mock offense. "How dare you assume I only watch chick flicks?"
Frenchie raises an eyebrow. "All right then, surprise me," he says, a challenge in his voice.
I smirk, reaching into my purse. "Oh, it's not just any movie."
I pull out a DVD case and hold it up dramatically. John-Paul's eyes widen as he reads the title.
" 'The Fast and the Furious' ? Seriously?" He laughs, shaking his head.
"What? I thought you'd appreciate some 'high-octane action'," I tease, mimicking his accent.
John-Paul grins, taking the DVD. "Well, well. Looks like you've been paying attention, darlin'."
He pops the movie in and settles next to me on the couch, his arm casually draping over my shoulders. The familiar opening scene starts, and I snuggle closer.
"You know," John-Paul whispers, his breath tickling my ear, "I could teach you a thing or two about real racing," John-Paul finishes, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
"You could teach me what?" I ask, my heart racing.
John-Paul grins mischievously. "How to drive like that. For real."
I laugh, both relieved and disappointed. "Right, because that's exactly what a nanny needs to know."
"Hey, you never know when high-speed chases might come in handy with the kids," he teases.
We fall into a comfortable silence, watching the movie. I can't help but steal glances at John-Paul. His strong profile, the way his chest rises and falls with each breath.
Halfway through, he catches me staring. "See something you like?" he asks, his voice low.
I blush, caught. "Just admiring the, uh, cinematography."
John-Paul chuckles. "Is that what they're calling it these days?"
His lips are inches from mine. My heart pounds. I can smell his cologne, a mix of motor oil and something spicy.
"Stassi," he murmurs, his voice husky.
"Yes?" I breathe.
John-Paul leans in, his lips almost brushing mine. My breath catches in my throat.
Suddenly, a loud crash from the TV makes us both jump. We turn to see a car flipping across the screen in slow motion.
John-Paul laughs, breaking the tension. "Now that's what I call cinematography."
I giggle nervously, my cheeks burning. "Yeah, um, very cinematic."
We settle back to watch the rest of the movie, but I can feel the electricity crackling between us. John-Paul's arm is still around me, his thumb tracing lazy circles on my shoulder. It feels as though every nerve in my body is alive and electrified when he touches me.
Feeling brazen, I turn my head, lift myself up a bit, and place my lips on his neck. John-Paul stiffens for a moment, caught off-guard. But then he lets out a low groan, his grip tightening around my shoulder. I feel him turn his head toward me and then there's silence, the only sound the movie playing in the background.
His chest rises and falls rapidly beneath me, a silent testament to his restrained excitement. His hands, strong and sure, find their way to my back, tracing slow patterns through the thin fabric of my shirt.
"Stassi," he whispers against my hair, sending shivers down my spine. "You're driving me crazy."
I pull away just enough to meet his gaze. His eyes are dark with desire but there's also a question lingering there, an invitation.
"Are you sure?" he asks quietly. His voice is deep and gravelly, adding to the heat already pooling in my belly.
Amid the tension and uncertainty, one thing is clear—I want this man more than anything else in this moment
"Yes," I whisper back, a thrill of anticipation shooting through me.
His answering smile is all the reassurance I need. His fingers trace a path towards my face, cupping it gently before he pulls me in for a kiss.
His lips on mine are an entirely new sensation, gentle yet demanding, sending sparks of electricity through my body. He tastes like the popcorn we'd shared earlier—salty and sweet—with an underlying hint of something uniquely John-Paul.
Suddenly, being inches away from him isn't close enough. I find myself pressing against him, needing to feel his warmth seeping into my skin, wanting to lose myself in his touch.
His fingers dig into my waist as he pulls me closer, our bodies molding together in a dance as old as time. His lips continue their exploration, moving down to the nape of my neck making me gasp in pleasure. My fingers tangle in his red hair, tugging slightly and eliciting a low moan from him.
"Frenchie," I breathe out, hearing my own voice sound different, full of want and need.
"Yes, darlin'?" he rasps into my ear, his voice vibrating through me.
"I'm..." I start but get lost in the sensation of his lips on my collarbone. "I'm all in."
John-Paul pulls away just enough to look at me, his eyes searching mine. His hand still on my waist, his thumb tracing circles against my skin.
"Stassi," he says, his voice serious. "I don't play games. If you're in this, I need to know it's for real."
My heart pounds in my chest. This is it. The moment of truth. I meet his gaze straight on.
"John-Paul," I reply, holding his gaze. "I've been real since the moment I met you."
His eyes search mine, brow furrowed with intensity. Then slowly his lips curve into a smile as he pulls me closer, wrapping his arms around me protectively.
"If that's the case," he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear, "then we're in this together."
I smile back at him, my heart pounding with joy. "Yeah," I whisper, "we are."
Our lips meet again, and it feels like coming home.
The rest of the night is spent wrapped in each other's arms, lost in a world of our own where nothing else exists but us. The movie plays on in the background but neither of us pays any attention to it.