Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Holly was pretty sure she was going to have sex with Brody. Maybe not tonight. But soon. There was no way she could hold herself back for much longer. Each kiss they shared lingered progressively longer, and she was afraid by the time they kissed again, she’d combust.
She’d practically climbed him like a tree in the hot springs, and it had taken all her strength to pull away once she remembered they were out in the open. While she was taking some chances and doing new things, outdoor sex wasn’t on the menu.
Yet.
Tonight, she and Brody were going out to dinner. A normal dinner where they would just sit and eat and even talk. This would have nothing to do with Holly’s List, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
This was a date.
A real live date with food and maybe even kissing involved.
She just hoped it didn’t ruin what she already had with Brody because she liked what she had with him. She liked that she felt she could open up to him more each time they talked. She wasn’t sure exactly what was happening between them, but she wasn’t going to overanalyze it.
If she did, she’d only end up hurting herself in the end.
And the whole point of Holly’s List was to put herself out there and not get hurt in the process.
The doorbell rang, and she quickly smoothed out her sundress and straightened her cardigan shrug.
It wasn’t the sexiest of outfits, but she felt the most comfortable in it.
If Brody had a problem with it, then he could walk away.
She wasn’t going to change for any man. No, the only person she would change for was herself.
She let out a small growl.
She was freaking out over nothing, and Brody hadn’t even seen her yet.
He hadn’t said a word about her outfits in the past, and she didn’t think he would start now.
Only things were different between them lately, or at least they were on the verge of becoming different. She was just trying to catch up.
With a smile on her face, she opened the door and almost swallowed her tongue. Brody wore a dark blue, long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal the ink on his forearms. Sure, she’d been with Jake and knew ink on forearms was sexy, but nothing was as sexy as Brody’s arms.
Except maybe the rest of him.
He had on dark jeans and black boots, and he’d added something to his hair so it stayed out of his face but didn’t look all slicked and gelled. And when he smiled at her, his dimple popped out, and she about fell down at his feet in thanks.
Holly needed to get a grip.
“You look good enough to eat,” Brody drawled.
She gave him a look. “I was thinking the same thing about you.”
He winked and held out his hand. He was always doing that, giving her time to take that step rather than merely taking her hand.
Every move he made gave her the option of staying away, making her own choices.
She had a feeling, though, if they were to go to bed together, he’d have far more control over their movements than he did now.
And that was something Holly knew she’d let happen.
She slid her hand into his and walked toward his truck. Thankfully, he’d told her they’d be taking the truck tonight so she knew what to wear. While she liked the surprises he’d thought up, making sure she was dressed correctly for whatever came up wasn’t the easiest thing in the world.
They made their way to the restaurant and talked about their days.
She liked being able to do things like this with someone, to have another person to just talk to, but she was also aware that she had to be careful.
Brody wasn’t offering a lifetime or even a small commitment.
It would do her well to remember that she had to not only guard her body from whatever they might do in the future, but her heart as well.
“How can you have papers to go over when school isn’t in session?”
She blew out a breath. “Because our school system is flawed, and I spend too much time prepping kids for tests they are far too young for and dealing with packet after packet of post-analysis and preparation for the following year. I also have classes to take this summer, but I’m on a break between them at the moment. ”
“And you don’t get paid for any of it?”
She shook her head. “Nope. Most teachers I know can’t afford to live on their own if they aren’t married, thanks to our salaries.
My house was actually a foreclosure that was falling apart when I got it.
Maya’s family’s company actually fixed it up for me, and they let me pay on a payment plan.
I’m still working that off, but I will be forever grateful that they made a plan for me on my budget. ”
He frowned over at her. “I rent a small apartment that I hate because mechanics don’t make that much either, but I get it.
I’m saving for my own shop one day, so owning a home comes later.
” He shrugged, and she had a feeling talking about money was putting them both on edge.
Neither of them was in a field that would make them rich, but they both helped others.
That had to count for something, even if it meant no shopping trips with her friends along the way.
“This is it,” Brody said when he pulled into a parking lot. “It’s not too fancy, but the food is great.”
Holly smiled at the familiar restaurant that wasn’t part of a chain but was run by generations of a local family.
“I’ve been here, actually.” She didn’t mention that it had been with Jake since that didn’t matter. She’d taken Arianna here a few times over the years as well. It was really good German food.
Brody winked at her. “Good to know. That means you know that if you don’t finish your food, the owner comes out and hits you with that ruler of his.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “It’s just a prop, Brody. He doesn’t actually come out and do that.”
Brody snorted and got out of the truck. She opened her door and started to get out when Brody made his way to her side and helped her down. He had those pipe side steps on the sides of his truck, but it was still a pretty far drop for her considering her height.
“You know he’s used the ruler once or twice. Just saying.”
She pressed her hand against his chest as she stepped down, liking the feel of his heat beneath her palm far too much. “I’ll have to take your word for it.”
“I’m a good boy and eat my food,” Brody explained. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of yours too in case you don’t finish it. Wouldn’t want you to get spanked.”
Of course, she tripped over her own feet at that, and he caught her, pulling her toward him. “You did that on purpose,” she accused.
He leaned down and kissed her firmly on the lips. “You know it.”
They were standing in the middle of the parking lot, their breaths quickening and her heart racing.
“Are we dating?” she blurted. “Forget I asked. Never mind. Let’s go get some food. I’m starving.”
She tried to pull away, but he didn’t let her go.
“Yeah, Holly, we’re dating. Is that okay?”
“Oh.” She paused. “Okay.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “We’re friends on our way to get some food, and I can’t help wanting to kiss you, so yeah, that’s dating in my book. But that doesn’t mean we have to freak out about it. Okay? Just one thing at a time. One checkmark on Holly’s List at a time.”
She looked up at him, studying his face. “Is kissing you on my list, then?”
“Well, until recently, you’d never done that. So, yeah, I guess it is.”
Her mind went to what else could be on the list that involved him, and she almost had to press her legs together and moan.
“Food,” she blurted. “I need food.”
“Your wish is my command, Holly.” He paused. “Always.”
Always is a long time, she thought as they walked into the restaurant and then to their table in the corner.
A long time.
Thankfully, neither of them brought up what had happened out in the parking lot. Instead, he made her laugh with stories about Harper and Alex at the gym, and she told him about the time she’d ended up with little paint handprints on her butt when a child fell down behind her.
He threw his head back and laughed, causing some of the women in the room to watch him with admiration. Too bad for them he was there with Holly. At that smug thought, she sipped her water, needing to cool down a bit.
“What color were they?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Bright yellow on my black pants I could never wear again. It was during my training so I wasn’t allowed to pick the lesson plans. Paint like that will never be involved in my classroom again.”
He shook his head and snagged the last bite of food from her plate. He’d been right in saying he could finish not only his meal but also half of hers. The man ate like a horse but was lean and muscled. She’d be angry at him for that, but she couldn’t help but admire the way he looked.
“I thought that was you.”
Holly turned at the sound of Jake’s voice as her ex—and now friend—walked up to them. She held back a cringe because as much as Brody sounded like he found nothing odd about her being friends with Jake, it was a little different.
Maya and Border were right behind Jake, and the five of them said their hellos, hugging and giving each other pecks on the cheek.
“Out on a date?” Brody asked. They were in the back of the restaurant so there was room enough for the five of them to stand and not be in the way. But Holly hadn’t missed the odd looks some people gave the trio that had walked up to them.
Maya leaned into Border’s side while holding Jake’s hand.
Holly knew the three of them weren’t usually so open in public, but this restaurant was owned by a nice couple who loved them and weren’t small-minded.
Unfortunately, Holly saw a few people in the building who weren’t as pleased with it, disgust evident on their faces.
Idiots.