“That was something. Maybe it’s because we’ve both been thinking about it for a while?” I covered my eyes with my hand when I realized what I said. “I mean, I’ve been thinking about it for a while.”
He stopped at my back door leading to the basement and set me on my feet.
“I’ve been thinking about kissing you since you gave me half of your peanut butter and jelly sandwich in third grade.” A wide grin spread across his handsome face.
“You lie. You weren’t thinking about kissing me back then.” My fingers gripped a fistful of his hoody beneath his leather coat. The fabric kept me from exploring him the way I wanted to.
“I don’t know, Ace. That was a damn good sandwich.”
I smiled. “Are you going to let me kiss you tomorrow?”
“Already thinking about tomorrow, huh?” He pulled me into a hug and wrapped his strong arms around me. I buried my face in his neck and breathed him in. He smelled like pine and fresh water, if that’s even a thing. It was my new favorite scent.
“One day at a time.”
He pulled back and opened the door. “Go. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
I pressed up on my tiptoes and kissed him one more time, needing to feel his lips on mine just to make sure I hadn’t dreamed this whole thing up.
“Goodnight, Jett Stone.”
He walked backward, watching me like he was trying to memorize every curve of my face.
“‘Night, Ace.”
And then the darkness swallowed him whole and I walked inside. I made my way upstairs to the main level, and laughter and loud chatter surrounded me. It was nearly midnight and this party was still going strong.
I climbed the next set of stairs and saw the light on in Clem’s room, so I peeked inside. “You still up?”
“What happened? Did he kiss you? Man, oh man, you two were putting off some serious heat!”
I laughed, covering my eyes. “I did kiss him. Go to bed.”
“Addy,” she called out as I started to close her door.
“Yeah?”
“You never looked this happy when you were with Alec. It’s nice to see you doing what you want these days. You were so much more boring when you were living in Mom’s shadow.”
I smiled. Because she was right. At least about the part that I was happier now than I’d ever been. And it felt damn good.
“Thanks. I’ll see you in the morning. Love you,” I said.
“Love you, too.”
I pulled the door closed and made my way to my bedroom. I washed my face and slipped on my pajamas before reaching for my phone to send a group message to the girls.
Me ~ Emergency meeting in the morning. Donuts at my house. I have news.
Coco ~ It’s about time. We all bailed on the party so you two could stop pretending to be besties, and admit you like each other.
Gigi ~ I cannot wait for the deets.
Maura ~ Dying.
Ivy ~ Morning can’t come soon enough. I’ll bring the notebook. It’s senior year, girls. Looks like we are filling this book already.
Me ~ See you in the morning. Love you.
They all responded with an I love you text, and my phone vibrated as I set it on my nightstand.
Jett ~ Is it tomorrow yet?
My stomach dipped and I bit down on my bottom lip as I tried to think about how to respond.
Me ~ Tomorrow can’t come soon enough. You want to meet at the lake in the afternoon?
I stared at the three little dots as they moved across my screen.
Jett ~ How about I pick you up at noon and we go to the diner for lunch? I want to feed you first.
Me ~ First? What happens after?
Jett ~ I kiss you until your lips are swollen and aching.
Me ~ Yes, please.
Jett ~ One day at a time, Ace.
Me ~ As long as I get to kiss you again, I don’t care what day it is.
Jett ~ Sweet dreams.
I fell back on my bed and touched my lips with the tips of my fingers. They were still tingling from where he’d kissed me.
Left his forever mark.
Me ~ They’re already sweet… and I haven’t even fallen asleep yet.
I wasn’t normally so gushy. But Jett Stone brought something out in me. He’d awakened parts of me that I didn’t even know existed.
And I only wanted more.
Chapter Sixteen
Jett
I pulled up in front of the Edingtons’ home and parked my bike. I walked to her door, which again made it feel more like a date, which was not something I’d ever really done before. I wasn’t normally one for picking a girl up, but Adelaide was different. Everything about her was different.
Including kissing her.
I’d never kissed a girl and felt liked she’d marked me.
Adelaide Edington had marked me.
In the best fucking way.
I’d had sex with girls and walked away without a second thought. But just kissing this girl had made me want things I had no business wanting. Hell, I’d barely slept as the thought of her sweet mouth made it tough to sleep. My dick was still having a temper tantrum even after I’d given him sufficient attention. So, I wasn’t going to overthink it. I liked hanging out with her, and I was not going to fight it.
Was I playing with fire even letting things get this far?
Sure.
But for the first time in my life, I wanted something that didn’t involve getting the hell out of this shit town, and I was going to let myself enjoy it. There were very few things in Willow Springs that I enjoyed outside of the few people I was close to and football—but Adelaide Edington was a blind spot that I hadn’t seen coming.
I knocked on the door and let out a long breath, hoping that her mom wouldn’t open the door.
“Hello, hot stuff,” Clementine said, pursing her lips and batting her eyelashes.
I couldn’t help but laugh, just as her father stepped up behind her and rolled his eyes at his youngest daughter.
“Jett, hello. Come in. Ladybug will be right down. Her girlfriends just left.” I assumed this was a nickname he had for Adelaide as I’d heard him call her that last night.
Shit. I wasn’t planning to go inside.
Family small talk was not my thing.
“Hey, sure. Thanks.” I shoved my hands in my pockets and followed him inside. Clementine winked at me, and I winked right back. The girl was a character for sure.