Page 46 of Before You
“Will it be an adventure?” Marley asks, and I know wherever she goes, I’ll go too—even if it’s one of Charlie’s terrible ideas.
“Absolutely.” Charlie grins mischievously. “I have just the thing in mind.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Marley
JJ’S STRONG ARMS flex underneath me, carrying me easily in his arms. “I’m sorry,” I apologize again, stealing a glance at his handsome face.
“Unless you purposely landed wrong on your ankle after jumping the fence, don’t apologize,” he says, his emerald eyes flickering down at me. The color reminds me of the earrings my parents gave me for my fifteenth birthday. I wonder if either of his parents has the same color. God, and those lips . . .
JJ was right. I was staring at them earlier, wondering how he’d kiss me.
I saw him on the field earlier—all I could think about was how assertive and in total control he was. When JJ’s with me, he’s gentle and precise with everything he does. I couldn’t help my mind drifting to wonder how it’d be.Would I get the sweet or rough version of JJ?
I know what it was like three years ago, but a lot can change.
A low rumble sounds from his firm chest, jolting me from my thoughts.
“Marley?” he asks, humor lacing his voice, and I wish I could read his mind. Actually, I probably can. He told me he wants to kiss me, but he’s going to wait until I ask. The only question is why haven’t I asked?
“I didn’t do it on purpose,” I say, remembering what we’re talking about.
“Then why are you saying sorry again?” JJ asks, the corners of his mouth pulling up.Shit, that’s the third time tonight I’ve been caught staring at his mouth.
I can feel my fingers nearly twitching at the urge to chew on them. I hate the way they look, but it’s a nervous habit I can’t kick. “Because I feel bad you’re carrying me. I can try to walk.”
I’m lying through my teeth. I don’t want him to put me down. I want to ask him to carry me all the time instead.
“Marley, you don’t need to feel bad, and I’m not putting you down. Are we going to keep having this conversation?” JJ asks, shifting me further up in his arms.
How did I ever walk away from him in France?
I loop my arms around his neck, his skin hot beneath my touch. “JJ, I’m not sure what you’re talking about. We only met earlier tonight, and I know nothing about you except I’m somehow your favorite person to spend time with, and you’re much better at scaling a fence than I am.”
The ache in my ankle is still there, but this conversation is a nice distraction.
He rolls his eyes but continues to sarcastically play along. “Right. How can I forget I know nothing about you, except your lack of ability to safely jump a fence.”
“Rude,” I say, pretending to frown. I totally deserve that. What was I thinking?
“Sorry, sweetheart. Will you tell me what you like to do?”
What I’d like to do is ask you to kiss me.“Nope. You’re being sarcastic, so I don’t want to tell you,” I say, holding back a laugh as we approach Charlie’s car.
“Can you reach in my front pocket for the keys?” he asks, switching gears.
“Oh, sure,” I say. I slide my hand down between us, reaching blindly for the keys. Unfortunately, my hand has a mind of its own, completely missing the pocket to grab the front of his pants instead. JJ’s grip instantly tightens as his breathing hitches. “Sorry,” I mumble, really wishing I could curl in a hole right now and disappear. I just skipped way past not being able to ask him to kiss me to grabbing his dick. With the way JJ’s holding me, it’s a difficult angle for my arm, but finally after what feels like an eternity, I pull the keys from his pocket.
I unlock the car, and JJ silently helps me in.Maybe if I ask nicely, he’ll run me over with the car instead.
What can I possibly say to make this less awkward?
I steal a glance out the other side of the window as JJ adjusts his jeans to hide the bulge, but it doesn’t do much. I quickly look away, my cheeks burning as JJ climbs in the car.Oh my god.I should say something, but he beats me to it.
“Marley . . .” he trails off, his voice deeper now. Instinctively, I look at him before the lights in the car turn off, allowing me to see everything he isn’t saying. “How is it?” JJ asks, and I blink in surprise.
What isitsupposed to be?
