Chapter 17
JADE
At five on the dot, I emerge into the open air, blinking.
It’s actually a nice spring afternoon, but I’ve been shut up in the office all day, retyping that blasted article.
It was returned by Danny, with markedly less red pen, so I think I’m making progress.
Ash said we’re booked to interview another band tomorrow and that there might be some concert tickets with this one.
I subtly adjust my black tube skirt and double-studded belt.
I’m also wearing an off-the-shoulder black top.
The only concession I’m making to colour today is neon-pink socks with my black ankle boots.
And bright pink lipstick—for the date. I went to Boots at lunchtime and bought some with my emergency cash.
I also bought a black hairband to flatten my hair down, but I don’t think it’s been too successful.
When I looked at my reflection in the bathrooms at work, I almost cried.
Sebastian was being kind when he said the perm suited me.
I look like a freak. The only good thing is that lots of other women have hair like this, so I fit right in—we all look like freaks.
Speak of the devil.
Sebastian’s lounging casually against the wall, waiting for me.
A breathless feeling arises in my chest as he stands upright with a grin.
Even without roller skates, he’s tall. But thankfully, he’s no longer wearing that get-up (those red shorts were indecent!).
I take in this new outfit: tight stonewashed jeans, a snug short-sleeved khaki shirt that shows off his arm muscles, and a black leather jacket slung over his shoulder.
He looks like he’s come straight from the set of Top Gun.
And hot. Very, very hot. I can’t deny it.
But all I say as we fall into step is ‘So no mullet tonight?’
‘Yeah, back to my normal hair since you like it so much.’ There’s a teasing edge to his tone.
‘I didn’t say that.’ I’m careful not to touch his hand, which is swinging precariously close to mine.
‘You did. You said, and I quote, “Your other hair is much nicer.”’ I can tell without looking at him that he’s definitely smiling to himself. The pillock.
‘Anyway, where are we going?’ I ask, determined not to get sucked into a line of conversation that has me admitting Sebastian is gorgeous. He’d never let me forget it.
‘The Curzon. It’s a short walk from here.’
‘What are we seeing?’
‘The Breakfast Club. It’s just been released.’
I sigh. ‘Somehow, I knew you were going to say that.’
When we get to the movie theatre, I wrinkle my nose. It smells of old popcorn and musty carpet.
A large number of young people are milling around the beige foyer, waiting for friends. When we’re standing in line to buy tickets, I notice three pretty girls nearby, fluffing their hairsprayed dos and glancing at Sebastian.
I nudge him with my elbow. ‘Don’t look now, Mr Rock Star, but you’ve got a fan club.’
Of course he looks over, and they immediately duck their heads, staring intently at their Reeboks and striped leg warmers. I chuckle to myself but then stop abruptly when Sebastian slings his arm around my shoulders. ‘What are you doing?’ I hiss.
‘Showing them I’m taken.’
For once, I’m shocked into silence. We shuffle forward in the queue; and Sebastian keeps his arm firmly around me, even when we reach the front, and he’s purchasing tickets.
The heat from his arm warms the strip of exposed skin on my upper back, and he strokes my bare shoulder idly with his thumb, sending a rush of tingles down my spine.
He chuckles, feeling me squirm in consternation.
‘Stop that,’ I admonish.
‘Not a chance,’ he whispers in my ear. ‘Babe.’
Grrr, he’s so annoying. And now the girls are casting disbelieving looks tinged with envy at us. I know exactly what they’re thinking: how come a guy who looks like that is dating her?
‘He’s not dating me,’ I want to tell them. ‘It’s fake.’ But if it is, why is my stomach full of butterflies about sitting in a dark movie theatre with him? If he tries anything, I’m going to stomp on his foot—hard.
Sebastian removes his arm from my shoulders, passes me a large red-and-white striped box of popcorn, then grasps my sweaty hand and tugs me through the double doors to cinema number 1.
‘Good thing we got here early,’ he remarks. ‘The theatre is going to be packed. Molly Ringwald is popular.’
‘From the amount of girls here, I’d say it’s probably Emilio Estevez and Judd Nelson who are the drawcards,’ I reply snarkily. ‘Where are we sitting?’
Sebastian smirks. ‘The back row.’
I clutch my popcorn tightly, following him down the left-hand row of seats.
Dammit, I should have insisted we sit front and centre because I have bad eyesight.
I don’t, but people tend to hold hands in the back row and—kiss.
I’m not sure I can control myself if Sebastian starts doing that.
Hopefully, he wants to watch the movie rather than smooch.
The lights dim, and a guy whoops, causing a collective titter from the girls. After a few movie trailers, the opening credits of the main feature begin, and it’s a relief not to have to sit through twenty minutes of mindless business ads.
I place the popcorn between us, but Sebastian’s a devil. Does he even eat food? From the rustle as a handful of popcorn is scooped up and chewing noises ensue, I have my answer: yep, he eats. It makes him seem more human at least.
Sebastian’s arm briefly brushes mine as he reaches for more popcorn, and I can’t help wondering, What is he thinking? What on earth do devils think about?
Risking a quick glance at his strong profile, I have no idea.
From the slight smile on his lips, he seems to be enjoying the movie.
But I can’t relax. Every shift in his seat or sighing noise he makes is distracting.
Not to mention the hazard of dual popcorn munching.
I try to time my scooping until after he’s dipped into the box, but our buttery fingers occasionally knock into each other and we murmur politely:
‘Sorry.’
‘No, you go.’
‘After you.’
A quarter of the way through the movie, the couple next to me begin snogging; and the wet, sucking noises are really distracting, not to mention embarrassing.
I huff in annoyance.
‘Do you want to swap seats?’ Sebastian whispers.
‘Yeah, thanks.’
So we do a shuffle around, only to have the couple on my left start snogging too.
Sebastian chuckles at my noise of exasperation.
‘This is ridiculous. Why bother even coming to the movie?’ I can’t help whispering.
Sebastian puts his arm around my shoulders and murmurs comfortingly, ‘Snuggle in and try not to worry about it. Here, have a sweet.’
He opens a packet of Jelly Babies and sits them in his lap; and I mindlessly eat and watch, popping them in my mouth, content in our sugar-filled cocoon.
Until I grope in the bag, feeling around for a sweet, and realise the packet is empty and I’m groping his cock.
He lets out a low grunt and wiggles around in his seat.
I know I should stop, but I like that he’s finding it pleasurable, and I lose my mind a little.
Sebastian grabs my hand. ‘This movie is about to get X-rated if you keep doing that,’ he whispers.
‘Sorry.’ I slide down in my seat, face flaming.
‘Don’t apologise. We both know I’m always up for some action.’
I huff a groan and cover my face with my hands.
‘Hey, it’s all right. Come here.’ He tips my chin towards him and captures my lips in a kiss.
His lips are warm and soft, his breath slightly sulphurous, but sweet at the same time.
He licks some butter residue and grains of sugar from the corner of my mouth.
‘Mmm, a full meal,’ he whispers in my ear.
My stomach flips as he kisses along my jaw and back to my lips again.
I’m practically hyperventilating from lust as he slides his forked tongue into my mouth and gently strokes it along mine.
He’s a great kisser. I knew he would be.
I open my mouth wider; and we snog properly, eagerly, like all the other horny couples in the row and make our own wet, sucking noises.
He holds the back of my head, pulling me closer, deeper.
I’m drowning in him, and I never want it to end—
Suddenly, the lights come on. The movie’s over, and I’m blinking in the sudden assault to my senses as people push past us.
Dazedly, I rise to my feet and blindly follow Sebastian out into the early evening air.
Honestly, he could take me to Hades right now, and I wouldn’t give a shit. I’d go with him gladly.
He grabs my hand and tugs me into a discreet alleyway where it’s more private.
Wordlessly, he wraps his arms around me, and we kiss again.
I have no idea what’s going on here, but now that we’ve started, I’m not complaining.
My hands snake up under his shirt, feeling the ridges of heated muscle, while he runs kisses up and down my neck.
It’s heavenly, and my body is on fire from his touch.
I want him. Lucifer, curse me, but I want him badly.
Sebastian pulls back and looks down at me, his burnt-umber eyes glinting.
‘What?’ I whisper.
‘Shall we take this back to yours?’
Great minds think alike.
I nod, feeling breathless, and he snaps his fingers.