Chapter 7
Tessy
“So, how was it?”
I looked out my window of my town house, watching the waves on the beach and sighed.
“Don’t tell me he left you hanging?”
“No, that he did not do, Melody. Now, the night was perfect. He can cook, and he screwed me senseless. And although I know he’s busy because I do know his schedule, I haven’t heard from him for two days.
I was kind of hoping we’d reach some type of turning point, you know? That maybe we could move on.”
“You think he’d screw you and leave you?”
“Yeah, why not? Everyone else has. And…wait, hold on. My phone just pinged.”
I pulled my phone from my ear, grinning as I saw a text pop up from him.
Sorry, things got a little busy with all the stuff going on.
You don’t need to apologize.
I don’t want you to think I ghosted you, or whatever.
“What is he saying?”
I put the call on speaker phone, rolling my eyes at my best friend.
“How do you know it’s him?”
“Because you don’t put me on hold for anyone, Tessy.”
“He’s apologizing.”
Anyway, I didn’t ghost you. I was hoping to have a second date actually.
“And asking me for a second date.”
“Ekk, get it girl. Don’t let me stop you. Tell me all about it later, love you.” With that, she hung up, leaving me to stare at my phone for a second before I could respond.
Uh, sure, I’d love that. What did you have in mind?
Ever been tree picking?
I stared at my fake one sitting in the corner and frowned.
Can’t say I have.
Perfect, pick you up in twenty. Jeans and a long sleeve shirt are great.
“You pick your own tree every year? And I never knew about this?” I asked, more than confused. I mean, sure, I didn’t know every minute of his day, that wasn’t my job. But going out in public like this seemed to have been something I would have picked up on, or at least I thought I would have.
“Every year. It’s something I did as a kid with my family, and it hasn’t stopped. I even had one year with my parents, when I was on a break from filming. It’s nice to go look for it, cut it, carry it, and then decorate it. You’ve never done it?”
“Uh, no. My mom hated the sap, so real trees were never a thing.”
“I can see that. But a real pine tree, oh the smell just makes it feel even more like Christmas to me.”
I just stared at him as he bound down the lane in his truck to the tree farm.
A tree farm.
Who the hell had ever been at one?
And in California, nonetheless?
I mean, I never thought I’d see one out here. But it was pretty far out of town, and in a direction, I would never go, that’s for sure. It was also a lot smaller than I would have thought, so I’m going to say it wasn’t as big out here as it might be in other places.
But from the number of cars parked, it was still a popular enough spot.
“Shall we?” he asked as he parked the car and I could only nod.
What else could I freakin’ say? No?
This was my second date, and though it was different, it was also something that was him. He was showing me a part of himself I don’t think others saw. And that was special.
So, I was going to enjoy this, even if I was scared shitless about what he would want me to do.
“I can't believe you got such a big tree,” I told him, as we finally sat on his couch, mugs of hot chocolate in hand. Was it cold enough out here for it?
No, of course not.
But it just added to the festival cheer, and I wasn't about to take it away from him. Or me. Because I loved it too. And actually, thanks to him, I was getting far more in the holiday mood.
“I love big trees. And I have more than enough decorations for it. This year, the theme is white. I try to change it up. So, I have white lights, white bulbs, ornaments, and so on. You name it, it's white. Even my outside stuff is white.”
“I never would have pegged you as someone who loves to go all out, Joshua.”
“I can't give all my secrets away in interviews. Besides, you know most of that is just surface level stuff, right?”
I had thought as much, but I also watched and listened to those religiously. It's how I garnished any information. But then again, as I sat here talking with him, I realized I knew far more being his PA than he let on in those interviews.
“Well now I do,” I huffed, causing him to chuckle, and I really liked that sound. “I mean, I would listen or watch, but I guess I still don't know nearly enough. Like these little moments.”
“They are nice. It's also nice not having to be fake or try to impress someone. That's why I don't date too much. I get far too annoyed trying to be someone I'm not.”
“I can see that. Well, I'm glad you get to be your plain, old boring self with me.”
He reached over, his fingers meeting my side, and I squealed, jumping back from his ticklish fingers.
“Ticklish huh?”
“Stop that,” I told him, swatting his hands away. “No tickling.” I gave him a mock glare which only made him laugh harder, and I realized he needed to do that far more.
“Fine, Tessy, no tickling, if you tell me something real.”
“I'm boring, why would you want to know anything about me?”
“No, you find yourself that way, but I don't. Not at all.”
“Okay, fine,” I took another sip of my hot chocolate, staring at the liquid before finally looking back at him. “I really enjoyed our kisses. I've never had someone consume me like you did and I really long for more.”
“You like my kisses, huh?”
I know I shouldn’t be embarrassed, but I couldn't help it. That was not something I would ever tell a man. Especially one I liked as much as I liked him.
“You know,” he started, moving closer as his hand cupped my cheek, “a man likes hearing that.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“So, what are you going to do about it?”
Was this me flirting?
Yes, it was. And I rather liked it.
I also liked how his eyes got darker and liked how he drew me closer.
But I down right loved when his lips brushed over mine, teasing me, before they crushed mine. His other arm snaked around my waist and yanked me up against his body, making me lose my mind in a desire filled haze.
And I was powerless to do anything other than kiss him back and relish every taste he was going to give me.
Was I already drowning?
Damn right.
But with him, there wasn’t any other way to go and all I could do was let him take me along. I had no wish to fight him, ever.
And I would be here for as long as he let me be.