The other car didn’t park anywhere near us, but we still lacked complete privacy. Reaching over to buckle her seatbelt, I felt a sense of possessiveness. She was my girlfriend now, belonging solely to me.
After we’d pulled out onto the street, Gianna asked, “What about the problem of me being a virgin?”
I gave her my patented panty-melting look. “Trust me, it won’t be a problem for long. And I’ll be expecting to see you in that babydoll real soon.”
In response, she rolled her eyes.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“Even I don’t wake up looking like Cindy Crawford.”
-Cindy Crawford
GIANNA
Was I stupid enough to agree to be Caleb’s girlfriend? I was kind of freaked out about the future. Dating a guy like him was like serving your heart up on a platter for him to devour.
One hand still on the wheel, he reached with his free one to hold my own. Brushing aside worries of an unknown future, I asked, “Where are we going?” It was pretty late and it’d be more than a little awkward going back to Jared’s house.
“We’re going to my mom’s.”
Not a better idea. “Won’t she mind?”
“No, she’s cool about most things as long as I’m not getting into trouble.” He drove into the same parking garage from the last time we were here. Taking the keys out of the ignition, he said, “Wait there!” I sat in the car as ordered, watching in the side mirror as he came around to open my door for me. He smiled proudly as I stepped out of the car. “See, aren’t I a good boyfriend already?”
In a condescending manner, I patted his cheek. “You still have a long way to go, master player.”
He scowled at me and took my duffel from me after I grabbed it from the backseat. Throwing it over one shoulder and taking my hand, he locked the car door. “Come on. My mom is going to freak, me bringing a girl home. It’s unheard of.” His sneaky grin hinted at anticipation.
We walked the distance to the apartment building and waited for the elevator. Entering the place, all the lights were off with the glow of the city coming in through the blinds.
Halfway to Caleb’s room, a bedroom door opened and a woman stepped out. “Caleb, sweetie, is that you?”
Sweetie?
“Yes, mom, it’s me and Gianna.”
His mom flipped a switch, turning on the hall light. She was a pretty older woman, in her late thirties with dark hair like Caleb. “Oh hi, that’s right, Gianna, the stepsister. It’s nice to meet you.” Her eyes glanced down at where Caleb was still holding my hand before coming back to rest on my blushing face.
“You too,” I responded awkwardly. It felt weird and scandalous to be spending the night at a boyfriend’s house. Would she tell Scott?
“Wow, Caleb didn’t tell me how beautiful you are,” she complimented. My face grew warmer and I wanted to elbow him for forcing me into this embarrassing situation.
“Thank you,” I mumbled, not having anything better to say.
“She’s also very tired, so we’ll just be going to bed now,” Caleb cut in, making me want to murder him! It sounded so bad when he said it aloud.
“Okay then, goodnight, sweetie. Goodnight, Gianna.” As she closed her door I knew I should tell her goodnight, but I couldn’t get it out. She must’ve thought I was the biggest slut.
“Oh my god, Caleb!” I whispered harshly. “Did you have to say it like that? I can’t believe your mom is okay with this. My mom would totally freak if you stayed the night in my room!”
Inside his room, he shut the door and locked it. “Who says I’m staying in here with you? Maybe I intend to sleep on the couch to protect my virtue.”
“Oh please, I’m the virgin here. You’re practically a gigolo. You lost your innocence a long time ago.” I wonder how long ago that was.
He faked hurt. “You make me feel so dirty and used.”
“You said it, not me.” Mentally worn out from everything that’d happened I laid down on the bed thinking about the last time I was on here. Did Caleb really have a tattoo somewhere under those pants or had he been messing with me?
“I’m not the one in the hooker dress,” he teased.
“It was for a good cause.” What the heck did his mom think when she saw my racy dress? Probably that I was a slut! Mortified, I kicked off my heels and grabbed my bag. “I’m going to change in the bathroom. I think you and your mom have seen enough of this dress tonight.”
“I really didn’t mean it about the dress. Come back . . . please,” he trailed off dramatically as I quietly padded down the hallway to the privacy of the bathroom.