7
Reese
The rest of the day flies by and before I know it, I’m walking down the hall to meet Jesse so we can head to D&K Auto Repairs and pick up our cars. Stepping through the door into the office reception, I smile when I see Mrs. Thornton.
“Hello, Reese, dear. You look lovely today.” She turns to Jesse. “Doesn’t she look lovely today?”
“She always looks lovely, Mom,” he says, his words shocking me. My cheeks heat at his kind statement; I wish he could be like this all the time.
“Thank you, Mrs. Thornton, and thanks for the lift. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s the least I can do since my son hit you.”
“It was an accident, Mom,” Jesse says.
“He’s made up for it. He sent me a gorgeous apology bouquet.”
“Ohh he did, did he now?” She beams at her son’s actions.
“You raised a nice boy.” Sometimes, I silently add.
“That I did.” She looks to Jesse and I see nothing but admiration in her eyes for her son. “Well, let’s get going. I need to get to bingo early so I can get a good table. I’m not letting that Stefanie woman get the good spot, or win tonight. She doesn’t stand a chance because my palm’s been itchy all day.”
Jesse rolls his eyes at his mom’s superstition, and her rivalry with Stefanie. He locks up the office and the three of us head toward the exit. Mrs. Thornton in front, while Jesse and I follow behind. I giggle to myself as she continues to prattle on about Stefanie and her latest antics. Stefanie Arnold and Jenny Thornton have had a rivalry going on for as long as I can remember, no one knows what it started over but it’s one that will go down in history, that’s for sure.
Jesse places his hand on my lower back as we walk down the hallway, even though he’s not physically touching me, it heats my skin. Closing my eyes, I breath in deeply, but that’s a mistake because I’m assaulted by him. He still wears CK One, just like he did back in high school.
We reach Mrs. Thornton’s Pontiac, Jesse opens the back door for me. Looking at him, I smile and climb in. Pulling my seat belt on, I’m shocked when the door on the other side opens and Jesse climbs in. Looking over at him, I scrunch my eyes in confusion.
“Mom’s front seat is full,” he says, looking like a giant in a small clown car right now. His knees are up around his ears, he’s pissed off.
“Comfy?” I snicker toward him, unable to hold back my giggle.
“Very,” he sarcastically replies. “It’s fine for a short-legged midget like you.”
“I think the term you are looking for is vertically challenged.”
“Tomato. Tomahto.”
“Whatever the case,” I add, “my short legs and I are quite comfortable right now. You aren’t, your gangly trunks are squished like sardines in a can.”
“Bite me, Short Stack,” he snaps, staring intently at me.
“You wish, Thornton,” I sass back.
He turns his head to look out the window and I’m one-hundred-percent sure I heard him quietly say, “Hell yes I want you to bite me.”
A short time later, we arrive at D&K. “Thank you, Mrs. Thornton,” I say, as I turn to climb out.
“You’re welcome, dear.”
Smiling at her, I open the door and hop out. She and Jesse chat while I walk into the office.
“Well, if it isn’t my most valued customer,” Darryl teases.
“Hardy har,” I sass back. “Maybe next time I’ll take it to Guido’s instead.”
“I love that you know to say next time,” he air quotes next time, “and don’t be harsh. You are my best customer…ever…and I’ve been in the repair business for forty-odd years now.”
“Hence, why I come here, you are the best…for an old man.”
“Respect your elders, missy.”
“I’m sorry, ohh wise old one.”
“Such a smart-ass, when are you going to settle down? Make an honest man out of someone.”
“Just haven’t found Mr. Right yet.”
“He may be closer than you think.” I notice he’s looking over my head, not that it’s hard. I turn around and see he’s looking at Jesse.
Turning back to Darryl, I shake my head. “Not in a million years. Not in a million years.”
“Famous last words.” He winks at me and hands me the keys to Betty. “See you soon, Reese,” he cheekily adds.
“Bye, Darryl.” Turning around, I throw a wave over my shoulder and step out of the office and over to Jesse.
“Thanks again for the lift.”
“It was my pleasure.”
We silently stare at one another, it's awkward but at the same time not. Maybe this car crash was the catalyst we needed to move forward. The honking of a car horn startles me and I jump in fright. This causes Jesse to laugh and with the afternoon light behind him, he looks carefree and hot as hell. Before I make a fool of myself, I decide to leave. “Have a good weekend, Jesse.”
“You too, Short Stack,” he says. I ignore the Short Stack comment and walk over to Betty. Her fender is all shiny and pink again; she looks beautiful. “Hey, girl,” I say to my car as I unlock the door and climb in. Running my hands over the steering wheel, I smile, “it’s good to have you back.”
Sliding the key into the ignition, I start her up and I drive out of D&K’s and head home. Stopping at the liquor store, I pick up a bottle of wine—hey, it’s the weekend—and a bottle of rum to make a test batch of rum balls.
Later that night as I climb into bed, I feel happy and light. Betty is home and the balls I made tonight were the ducks nuts—that ribbon is mine, Thornton. Closing my eyes, I drift off to sleep and dream sexy things about Jesse Thornton biting me, and what it would be like to feel his scruff between my thighs.
8
Jesse
I’m on my way to meet Mom and Dad for brunch, I’m tired because I didn’t get much sleep last night. Every time I closed my eyes, I dreamt about Reese and all the dirty, nasty things I want to do to her delectable body.
Mom smiles when I enter the kitchen. “Morning, Mom.” I kiss her on the cheek and take a seat at the ginormous, island counter in Mom’s kitchen. She really has a dream kitchen, hence why she’s a super baker.
“Morning, Jesse. You look tired.” She walks over to the coffeepot and pours three coffees.
“I am. It’s been a long week.”
“Winter break will be here soon.”
“Not soon enough,” I whine. Picking up the mug Mom placed in front of me, I bring it to my lips and breathe in deeply. A smile appears on my face as I take another deep breath. The smell of coffee is just as cathartic as the liquid itself. Taking a sip, I close my eyes and savor the flavor.
“Should your mother and I leave you and your coffee alone, Son?” Dad says, slapping me on the back as he takes a seat next to me.
“Hardy har, old man.”
“Ease up on the old.”
“If the old shoe fits,” I tease in reply.