Page 20 of I Saw Her First

“Have you been here before?” I ask, and he gives me an odd look.

“This is our place.”

“Yours?”

He nods. “Well, it belongs to my parents. They got it when I was a kid, but dad is the only one who comes here now.”

Oh.

I glance around, seeing the house anew with this knowledge. This isn’t some random Airbnb he found online—I almost laugh at the thought now, because nowaycould he afford this—it’s his family’s. Now, his dad’s. This is Weston’s beach house.

So much for escaping him.

I sigh, wandering into the spacious entry hall that leads to a large, open-concept kitchen, dining room, and living room with stained oak floors and white-washed pine walls, reaching to a high vaulted ceiling that frames a view of the undulating sand dunes and water beyond. A huge beige linen sectional sofa dominates the space, soaking up the sea views, with a battered wooden coffee table in the center. The kitchen boasts white wooden cabinetry, and a large center island like the one at Weston’s house on Fruit Street. Padded bamboo stools nestle under it and rattan light fixtures hang from the ceiling above. Everything feels fresh and bright and beautiful. There’s a hallway to my right and one to my left, as well as stairs leading to some sort of basement. I turn back to Jesse in shock.

“How many bedrooms does this place have?”

“Six.”

Six. Six bedrooms in a freaking beach house.

“And bathrooms?” I ask.

“Uh… three. No—four. There’s one downstairs.”

Jesus. This is insane. I think I might have underestimated just how wealthy Weston is. What did he say he did again, advertising? I need a career change, pronto.

“It’s… very nice,” I say inadequately, and Jesse shrugs again. I guess when you grow up with these things, they don’t seem like such a big deal.

“Come on, I’ll show you to my room.”

I hesitate. Shit, I didn’t think this part through. Do I want to stay in his room? I mean, I should, right? It’d be weird if I didn’t, wouldn’t it? But what if I would rather…

“Are you coming?”

I clear my throat, scuttling after him before I lose him in this gigantic house. We round a corner and head along a hall with several doors leading off, and Jess shows me into a large,airy room with a view of the sea. I’m not entirely sure if I’m comfortable staying in his bed, but that view is to die for.

He dumps the bags on the floor and turns to me with a grin. The beer has made him loose and relaxed, and as he takes me into his arms, I let myself soften against him. Now that we’re alone, and he finally seems to be at ease, I decide to broach the subject I’ve been wondering about for so long.

“Jess… why do you hate your dad so much?”

His brows slash together. “Seriously? You want to talk about that now? When we’ve come all this way to get away from him?”

I sigh. I guess he has a point there.

“No, sorry.” I try to shove down the frustration rising inside me. “Forget I said anything.”

He frowns at me for a beat longer, then releases his breath slowly, letting that grin return. “I want to focus on being here with you,” he says, taking my hand and leading me to the bed. “Alone.” When his gaze roves over me with intent, a rock forms in my gut.

Come on, I berate myself, shaking it off.You’re in the perfect location with a cute guy. Lighten up.

I let him tug me down onto the mattress and meet his lips with mine. He’s not a bad kisser, although it’d been so long before Jess that I can hardly compare. And I’m not sure I’ve ever been kissed properly, by someone who knows what they’re doing.

But it’s probably me. I’m so in my head about this, and I don’t know why. Maybe because I’ve waited too long. I mean, I’m twenty-five and so inexperienced it’s embarrassing. Yes, I’ve made out with guys. Yes, I’ve had a few guys grope around, but it’s been so unbelievably awkward and underwhelming that I’ve hardly been begging for more. And now, when I finally have the chance to move past that, I’m freezing up.

Jesse’s hands roam my back as his tongue darts in and out of my mouth. I try to match his enthusiasm, but he tastes like beer and my neck is at a weird angle. I’m tired from work and the car ride, and, if I’m being completely honest, I just wish he’d stop.

I draw away with an awkward laugh, but Jesse isn’t amused.

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