17. Chapter Seventeen #2
I move to open the door for Jacob, and I don’t miss the smirk on my mother’s face as she goes back to reading her book.
“After you, baby,” I drawl, noting Jacob’s pink cheeks.
“Thanks.”
The house is quiet, but it’s cool and comforting. I take our plates to the sink and drop them off, fully intent on collapsing on the couch after this insane day, but Jacob heads to the sink and hipchecks me out of the way.
“What the—” I realize what he’s doing as he turns on the faucet. “What are you doing?”
“Dishes, what’s it look like?” he says as he reaches for the dish soap. I stop him, raising an eyebrow.
“You don’t have to do that here. You’re a guest.”
Jacob shoves my wrist, his fingers brushing warmly against my skin.
“It’s a couple dishes, Aaron. It’s fine,” he says, grabbing the sponge stick and going to town.
“You never argue with a man who wants to do the dishes,” Aunt Shannon says as she comes down the hall with her purse and keys in hand.
“Where are you headed to?” I ask.
“Lola wants to go to the fair on the boardwalk.”
I nod. “Oh, okay. Have fun.”
She looks from me to Jacob, then to me. “You boys should go. It’s a beautiful night. Be a shame to waste it here.” She looks around the room.
Jacob’s arm brushes my side, and I realize he’s done washing the dishes.
“Yeah, sounds like fun. Maybe we’ll check it out.”
Shannon smiles and gives us a wave. “Alright, then.”
When the door shuts, I turn to Jacob, noticing the way he’s looking at me.
“What?” I ask. His gaze drops to my mouth for a split second before he catches my gaze.
“Do you?” He swallows, hard. “Want to check it out?”
The way he asks is sweet. Like he’s nervous. I think it's cute. I think he’s kind of cute, like this.
“I’ve seen the fair on the boardwalk a hundred times,” I say, and I don’t miss the furrow of his eyebrows.
“Oh, right.”
I guess that makes sense, given he’s never been here before.
And suddenly I feel like an asshole as I realize this is all new for him.
I reach out and slide my fingers through his hair and hold his head still. Forcing him to look at me.
“But I’ve never seen it with my hot boyfriend before, so—”
His cheeks turn pink and he closes his eyes.
“Aaron—”
“I’d love to go to the fair on the boardwalk with you,” I say as I tilt his chin up. He opens his eyes, gazing up at me with warmth.
“Really?” he asks, his voice soft. “You don’t want to just… I don’t know… crash on the couch or whatever it is you normally do when you’re here?”
I think about the last time I was here, but I can’t remember what I actually did. It’s been too long.
“I think I’d rather go on a date with you,” I say.
“It’s not a date,” he says, his voice a whisper. “It’s just a walk.”
I know it’s more than a walk and I think he does, too, but I also don’t want to push him.
I’m not used to letting others take the lead, but when it comes to Jacob, I get the feeling letting him lead will be better for the both of us at the moment.
Because I feel like I’m out of my league here with him. In so many ways.
“Then I’d love to go for a walk on the boardwalk with you.”
He nods. “Okay, I’ll change and then we can go?”
I nod. “I’ll wait here for you.”
I watch as he heads down the hall, watch his perfect ass as it disappears around the corner, and only then do I let out a breath, looking to the chandelier. It sparkles, throwing prisms all across the room.
I watch as they dance, lost in the memory of another time. When we danced under the lights, carefree and hopeful. It was only days ago, but it feels like it’s been ages.
When I look out the window, I see my mother in her chair, glancing up at me. For a moment, our eyes meet and they hold one another’s stare. She smiles at me softly, the look in her eyes almost wistful. Hopeful.
Happy.
I can’t remember the last time she looked at me like this.
“You ready?” Jacob asks, and I turn to see him in something much more laid back. A pair of jeans, a white T-shirt and a pair of white tennis shoes. His hair looks freshly brushed, judging from the way it’s swept back.
He looks absolutely perfect, standing amidst all the white and grey, the sunset peeking through the windows.
And then I get an idea.
I offer him my arm. “I think you mean, am I ready for it ?” I joke, a call back to our dance the other night, underneath those lights. Things had gone so well. I felt on top of the world. Because of him.
Jacob Riley gave me a perfect date. And tonight, I plan on giving him his.
I lead him out the door and head to the car, opening his door for him.
“Thanks.”
“Always, baby.” I shoot him a smirk as I round my car and get in the driver’s side, firing up the radio as we head off to the boardwalk. Thankfully, I manage to find a parking space close to the boardwalk so we don’t have to walk far to get to the fair.
The sun paints the sky in shades of ochre and orange, lilac clouds standing out as they reflect on the water.
It’s that weird time between sunset and dusk, where the outside lights are shining, but it’s still light out.
The boardwalk is lined with shops and vendors and the air smells of popcorn and funnel cake.
I walk by Jacob’s side, saying nothing as I watch him take it all in like a kid on Christmas morning.
“It’s so busy,” he says softly. “But it’s weirdly cozy.”
I chuckle. “That’s the funnel cake smell. Cake makes everything cozy.”
I reach for his hand, and he nearly jumps, but settles the moment I slide my fingers between his. “Come with me.”
It’s not a question, but a command. My tone is stern, leaving no room for refusal, and because he’s perfect, his cheeks blush and he says, “Okay.”
I lead him down the steps to the beach, which is sparsely populated with people. Some on blankets, sitting eating ice cream, others with their toes dug deep in the sand as they lean on their significant others.
Jacob looks out over the water, his mouth opening in awe as he gasps.
“Wow, it’s so…”
I watch his expression, taking in the flutter of his eyes, the excitement in his voice. His perfect profile.
“Beautiful?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.
“I was going to say breathtaking,” he says.
I smile at him, but he’s too busy staring at the ocean to notice.
“Yeah, that’s a good word to describe you.”
I realize all at once, I fucked up. I meant to say it. That’s a good word to describe it. But…
He is breathtaking, and it’s not because he’s just good looking. I think Jacob is beautiful beyond the surface. Deep down where no one else can see.
He smiles awkwardly as he shakes his head.
“It’s true,” I say, tugging his hand to bring him closer to me. He follows without question.
I gaze down at him with a smile of my own. “You are beautiful.” I kiss the spot beneath his ear. “And breathtaking.” I trail my lips down his neck, planting a soft kiss. I don’t miss the way his pulse hitches when I do so.
“And so fucking perfect, right here. Right now.”
I tug his hand as I lead us further down the sand, to where the waves meet the wet sand. Our shoes leave footprints that fade too quickly as I stop us, sliding my arms around him from behind. His fingers trail over the back of my hand.
“Is it everything you hoped it’d be?” I ask, my lips grazing his ear.
“Huh?” His voice is faint like the wind.
“The ocean,” I whisper, letting my lips land in his hair. “Is it everything you hoped it would be?”
Jacob settles into my hold, his ass brushing against my groin, and I’m not embarrassed at how quickly my damn cock awakens from the movement. I hope he feels it. I hope he knows what he does to me.
I get my answer when he shifts and presses back against me, letting out a deep breath.
“No,” he says. I frown, but before I can protest, he turns around in my arms, pressing his chest against mine. He leans into my space, glancing up at me with those bright blue eyes that make my insides melt.
His lips grace mine like a ghost.
“It’s better, I think,” he whispers, his lips finding mine with ease. He kisses me softly, almost hesitantly. Like he’s afraid I’ll disappear.
I rove my hands up and down his hips, opening my mouth in earnest as I seek his tongue with mine.
He lets out a groan and my cock twitches with anticipation, and then I feel his hardness against my own, which only spurs me more.
I deepen our kiss as his hands snake up around my neck, the waves crashing against our legs, pulling us from our moment of bliss.
“Shit!” I say as I realize his jeans are now soaked and my legs are cold from the remnants of the cool water.
Jacob lets out a laugh.
“Sorry about that,” I say as I move us up a bit to dryer sand. Jacob shakes his head.
“It’s fine. I brought at least six pairs of jeans. You know, just in case.”
His gaze catches mine as the melody of live music fills the air. The woman sings some song that sounds familiar, that I can’t quite place. Something about being enchanted to meet someone.
“Oh… I love this song,” Jacob moans. I note his hands are still around my neck.
“Is that so?” I ask, settling my hands on his hips. He smirks at me as I shift my position, rocking us back and forth. He picks up my rhythm and follows without question.
“Mhmmm.” His soft murmur is like music to my ears.
“I don’t know it,” I admit. “I mean, it sounds familiar but—”
“Taylor Swift,” he whispers. “It’s called Enchanted. ”
“Enchanted, huh?” Our bodies sway to the beat, the wind cool against my skin as the sound of the waves echo in tune with the singer crooning on.
Jacob nods and I lean down once more and capture his lips with mine. He doesn’t startle this time. He kisses me back. It’s slow and sweet, and perfect.
Just like him.
When I break away, the dusk has fallen and the only lights to be seen are the ones hanging along the boardwalk.