Page 52 of Four Simple Rules
“Don’t do that,” I hiss, despite the chills spreading through my body.
Heat works up the back of my neck and onto my cheeks. Visions of him claiming me slam into me with inappropriate images flashing right before my eyes. His fingers dig into my butt like he hasn’t been screwing me silly over the past few days and making up for lost time.
“I see it in your eyes, Tulip. You’re trembling with need and anticipation.”
Well, he’s not wrong. But I’m trying to hold myself together until this reunion is over. Besides, we just did this song and dance a few hours ago. As good as getting down and dirty with Jesse feels, we have to be adults and eventually leave this house without pawing at one another.
So, with all the remaining willpower I have, I pull away. “Go get dressed,” I grumble, shoving at his chest until he’s stumbling away toward his room, laughing the entire way.
“I like what you picked, by the way. Wear that. You’re so beautiful.” More heat trickles up my flesh, turning me red until he finally shuts the door. As soon as it closes, I get dressed in a hurry before he convinces me not to get dressed at all. The man could talk me out of my snowsuit in the middle of winter if he really wanted to. It’d be nice just to stay here and not go to the reunion altogether. We could keep ourselves entertained for the rest of the evening.
A few minutes later, Jesse swaggers out in a nice pair of jeans and a dark button-up, sporting a grin as he looks me over with renewed hunger.
“God, I could just devour you right now. Can I have a little appetizer before we leave?” He wiggles his brows, taking me in like I’m dripping in diamonds and a form-fitting dress.
Um, yes, please. But also…
“No,” I snort, blushing when he steps in front of me. “It’s almost time. We need to get to the hotel and face the music.”
“Face the music, huh? You make it sound like a death sentence.” It is. He just doesn’t understand why.
I roll my eyes. “You were Mr. Popular. I was the invisible girl whose friend was run out of school. Don’t think I haven’t forgotten what you did to her,” I huff, remembering all the times I walked the halls, saving Olivia from the messes Jesse, Rhett, and the mean girls created.
“I can assure you, Blake. You’re not going to be invisible tonight. Every eye in the place is going to firmly be on you.” I blush harder at his compliment, looking away. Jesse clears his throat and grips my chin, forcing my gaze back to him. His body angles away from mine as his chin drops to his chest. “I'm sorry for what I did to your friend," he murmurs, returning my gaze to him. "I was in a very, very bad place in high school. I took it out on her. On you… And I feel so much guilt from what happened to her. So does Rhett." His tongue pokes out, swiping across his lips.
"I know," I say, touching his hand. "You're a changed man."
And he is. He's grown from the last time I saw him in high school. His compassion lights up his face. Shadows no longer cloud his eyes, or alcohol swims on his breath. It’s like getting out from under his father’s thumb and out into the world, brought the real Jesse out and set him free from all the pain he endured.
"I am. And I hope that I can continue to show you that, Tulip. I've been dreaming of us coming together like this…"
"Coming together? Like sex?" I snort when he stiffens.
"I mean…"
"Jesse." I huff, swatting his chest.
He grins. "How about we go, my Lady?" he asks huskily, offering me his arm. "It's time to show you off."
I wrap my arm over his, letting him lead me out the front door and to the passenger's side of his car. Voluntarily, we go to the hotel across town to mingle with the people I loathed through high school. But safety embraces me when I think of Jesse being by my side.
Iswallow the terrible acid soaring up my throat the moment we walk through the doors of the Manor at Brighton Hill. The same place we stood in a week before, enjoying the wedding reception of our parents. Jesse gently leads me toward the main event through the lobby, booming with our old classmates walking around. Butterflies erupt in my stomach when the music grows louder as we approach.
This is it. The moment I face all the jerk bags from my short time at Brighton. And some people I loved, like Olivia and our other friend Nic. They were the only two people who stood by my side in public. Olivia, more. My best friend. My ride or die. The girl I ate lunch with every day, and we avoided the lunchroom. She was my peace in a crappy storm.
“They went all out,” Jesse murmurs, gesturing toward the decorations.
Red and gold streamers decorate every inch of the ballroom, representing our old-school colors. Tables with six seats litter the ballroom, with various people from high school sitting and talking. A DJ with a square wooden floor sits off on the other side as some people dance around with drinks. Thank God for the open bar.
“Yeah,” I say, sticking close to his side as he moves us through the doors, bringing us to the entrance of the large ballroom.
My eyes dart around the crowded space. Loud voices echo through the room, even over the loud music from the DJ. Girls squeal from the corner of the room where they’re huddled together, staring directly at Jesse with predatory gazes. Great. Them. Posey, Melody, and Nat. The three mean girls from my nightmares who made high school hell for Olivia. They titter with one another, pointing at my outfit and making googly eyes at Jesse like they hadn’t seen him at the diner a few days ago and got rejected. Warmth spreads through me at the memory of Jesse sticking up for me and shooing them away until they left with slumped shoulders and scowls. Now, I wish they’d get the message.
My fingers curl into fists when they make a beeline toward us, walking as fast as possible on six-inch heels. If that’s possible, God, they walk like pros, highlighting their perfectly toned legs.
“Oh, fun,” I blurt, rolling my lips together.
Jesse snorts, holding me closer to his side, and I melt into him with a satisfied sigh. My heart soars when he doesn’t push me away like he used to, even with their eyes taking him in like cougars on the prowl.
