Chapter 22
TOMMY
I can’t stop smiling, and it has nothing to do with the fact that we won our game.
Nora smiles, sipping her wine casually, and I have to say she is the prettiest woman in the damn room. Even in her tight-fitted leggings and pale blue sweater.
I can’t help but think about that photo. The one in her bra. The pale blue color of her sweater reminds me of it. I push the thought out of my head though, because that’s not why I brought Nora on this date.
I haven’t been on a date in a long time and it feels like a step in the right direction.
My mom always says you need ten seconds of courage and the rest is smooth sailing, but I doubt she ever got nervous about asking someone out. Considering she had Brett when she was sixteen and married my dad only a few years later and had Freddie.
And I doubt my dad ever had any issues talking to women or putting himself out there. He’s one of the most confident men I know.
Still, when I look at Nora, as nervous as I am, I also feel bolder. Braver. She makes me want to try. Makes me want to push past the confines of my comfort zone and see what’s on the other side.
Which is why I need this wine, but I’m not about to be irresponsible. One glass, and that’s it. It’s all the liquid courage I need.
Despite the fact that we’ve been talking all evening—about shows and movies and of course, hockey, because hockey is in this family’s blood—I know the night is coming to a close, and I know I need to just do this and get it over with.
She’ll either say yes or no, and that’s that.
But if she says no…I won’t lie, I might not recover from the embarrassment for awhile.
“I’m having a great time tonight, Tommy,” she says. “Seriously. A lot has been going on and I just…feel like I haven’t had a chance to breathe. And now with Brett being gone and me staying with you guys—”
“Huh?” I look up curiously. “Staying with us?”
She blinks, sipping her wine as the waiter brings our check. She moves for it, but I grab it first.
“Tommy—”
“Don’t even think about it. This is a date. And a gentleman always pays for a lady on a date.”
She gives me a soft smile. “Still…you don’t have to.”
I throw down my credit card without a second thought like I always see Zack do and try to look as manly and confident as possible.
“I know I don’t have to,” I say matter-of-factly. “I want to.”
Nora smiles, and it’s genuine.
“Besides, don’t think I don’t see what you’re trying to do. Changing the subject.”
Her eyebrows furrow. “What do you mean?”
I cock my head. “You said you were staying…with us?”
“Yeah, Rush said he told you…ran the idea by you first?”
Rush certainly did not run anything by me about anyone staying with us. But as I look at Nora’s worried face, I realize what he must have done.
Brett and Nora broke up, and she’s been staying at her brother’s while he’s on vacation, but…vacations end. And Nora doesn’t live with Brett anymore, and likely needs a place to stay.
I know Freddie offered to help the other morning, but I can’t imagine he and Rush would have made a decision like this without me. Still, all things considered…
Would it be so bad? Letting Nora stay with us? For a little while?
Forever…
That has to be the alcohol talking for sure.
“Um…yeah, of course he did,” I lie. Only because I don’t want to see her upset, and if she really does need our help, I don’t want to cause an issue. But I will definitely need to talk to Rush later. And Freddie. “I just…forgot, I guess.”
She eases up and I think maybe…maybe this makes what I’m about to ask a little easier.
“You…uh…ready to go home, then?” I ask carefully.
She nods.
“Okay, so I’ll take you to get your car and we’ll…meet back…home?”
The small grin that forms on her face is undeniable. “Sounds great,” she says.
The whole way back to the parking lot at the park, I feel my nerves start to fester. Should I kiss her here? Now? Or wait until we get home?
I stop the car, turning it off as I park next to hers.
I turn to her, noticing that she’s moved closer. Instinct takes over, and I lean in and I just do it. Just like before. I kiss her and she kisses me back so softly and sweetly it feels like I’d imagine a cloud would feel against my lips.
I reach up and slide my hand into her hair and I deepen our kiss, opening my mouth to let my tongue explore hers. I pull her into my lap without a second thought, the streetlights shining through the windows.
There’s not another car in this parking lot but hers, and it’s late. Nearing ten o’clock.
Nora moves in my lap as I continue our kiss, her fingers finding my jaw.
Her body pressed against mine is heavy, but it doesn’t hurt.
In fact, it’s quite the opposite. My cock hardens beneath her and I groan, thrusting up against her.
She moans into my mouth as I suck her bottom lip between my teeth, running my hands over her back, down over her hips. Her ass.
My cock twitches because I like how it feels. My hand on her soft, round butt cheek. The fabric of her leggings is smooth and so I rub the spot, getting used to the soft feel beneath my palm.
I’ve never gotten this far with a woman before and that fact is not lost on me. Part of me is nervous I’ll mess this up, while the other wants to keep going. I squeeze her butt and she breaks our kiss, looking down at me.
“What?” I ask, breathless. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No.”
“Then why did you stop?” I ask softly.
“I just wasn’t expecting that,” she says with a shy smile. “I wasn’t expecting any of this.”
I tense. “Oh. I’m sorry,” I say. “I can stop if you want me to.” I want her to know I respect her boundaries, but…
I’m feeling a little anxious right now because this isn’t going the way I thought it would.
She leans forward and kisses me softly. I kiss her back, relishing in the feel of her lips on mine. My cock twitches in my pants and she lets out a soft moan.
“I don’t…want you to stop.” She holds my face in her hands. “Tommy, just…I need you to know we don’t have to. If you don’t want to,” she says carefully. “We can take our time.”
I look at her warm blue eyes, seeing my desperate gaze reflected in hers.
“I know you said you’ve never…had a girlfriend, but—”
“Oh,” I say, my blood chilling, because fuck, I knew this was going to come up eventually, it always does, and—
I tense, griping her hips tighter, and I close my eyes and suck in a breath, figuring it’s now or never.
“I do. Want to, Nora, I—” I let out a heavy breath.
“Tommy…”
“I’m a virgin,” I say hurriedly. “But not because I want to be, because I just didn’t want to, you know…” I gesture to her, in my lap. “I just wanted it to be with the right person.” I lean my head against her shoulder. “And then I just…never found a person I wanted to—”
I bury my face in her neck. “This is so embarrassing,” I mutter.
She doesn’t move from my lap, her hands still on my jaw.
“The first time I went down on a guy, I gagged,” she says, and I stiffen, looking up at her in surprise. “Horribly. I hadn’t taken into account that not all dicks are the same size and well…the popsicles I practiced on were not the same.” She makes a face and shakes her head and lets out a laugh.
“The first time I had sex was with my high school prom date…” She flutters her eyes, and says, “It was a disaster. He farted and kept going, and it smelled so bad.”
I burst out laughing and she does too, and soon enough we’re both filling the truck with the sounds of deep laughter.
“All I’m saying is sometimes the first is just the first. It’s meant to be embarrassing. Scary. And you’re not supposed to know what you’re doing.”
Her fingers trail down my jaw. She looks at me with warmth and love, and things I’ve only dreamed of, and I just…know.
She is exactly the person I was waiting for.
“Unless your first is with someone who does know,” I say carefully, kissing her again, this time slower. Deeper. I need her to understand how bad I want this. How bad I want her.
“And then it’s not so scary,” I whisper, my lips finding her neck. She lets out a soft sigh as I gently thrust my erection up against her.
“Tommy…” she breathes.
“Teach me,” I whisper. My hands rove up and down her spine, reveling in every curve and dip. “I promise I’m a fast learner.” I smirk, letting my tongue brush over the throbbing vein in her neck.
She moans and I smile, figuring that’s a good sign.
She kisses me again, her mouth warm and smooth against mine. My cock throbs against her.
“Not here,” she says. “Too cramped.”
I let out a chuckle, resting my hand on her ass. This time she doesn’t jump.
“Okay,” I say, kissing her again as she slides off of me. I don’t hide the way I grab myself, because there’s no point. I know she felt me, and I know she’s looking, so I brace for the judgment.
But judgment never comes.
“I’ll see you at home,” I say, and she nods, slipping out of my truck. I don’t move until she pulls out, and I follow her all the way back to the house.
Russ’s and Freddie’s cars aren’t here, which means they’re still at practice. Must be a late one tonight.
I get out of the car and open Nora’s door, giving her my hand. I slide my fingers between hers as I lead her to the front door and open it. When I get inside, it hits me.
She’s here.
With me.
Holding my hand.
I have never brought a woman home like this. Sure, Chloe’s been here, mostly with Zack, but I’ve never gone out to a club and brought a woman home like Rush has.
The realization is startling, but not in a bad way.
I hold Nora’s hand and carefully lead her through the kitchen. She doesn’t say a word as we pass it, or the couch. The couch where I can still see her and Rush. I push the image aside and head down the hall, toward my bedroom, my heart in my throat.
She could very well tell me no. Say she doesn’t want this and then turn around, but something tells me she won’t. Something tells me I can trust her.