He opened a drawer and out came the familiar glossy brown bag. He remembered. Jake hummed contentedly under his breath as he shook the bag to sprinkle the colorful candies over the popcorn. Savannah watched the rainbow of bright colors fall from the bag and licked her lips, unsure which she craved more -- the chocolate and popcorn or the kiss she’d promised herself in a moment of ridiculousness. No way was she throwing herself at him. No matter how kissable he looked. Not even when he looked at her like that – all smoldering blue eyes and knowing smiles.
“So… ” Savannah cleared her throat and tried to brush away the unwelcome fantasy of kissing Jake until they were both breathless and wanting more. “What’s the lesson plan tonight, Dr. Anderson?” This time when she called him ‘doctor,’ she stressed the title teasingly, affectionately, knowing full well he would correct her as before.
Jake tipped his head to the side and studied her, amusement dancing in his azure eyes. His lips twisted into a devious smile. “Well, Miss Bradshaw, I thought you could get a head start on next week’s reading, while I enjoy popcorn and a movie. I’m thinking a Die Hard marathon.”
He popped a handful of colorful candies and fluffy white kernels into his mouth, chewed slowly with his eyes closed, and released a low Mmmmm that made Savannah tingle from head to toe.
She gasped and his eyes fluttered open. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did you want some, Miss Bradshaw?”
“I think you know I do,” Savannah confirmed in a throaty temptress voice that would’ve made her high school drama teacher proud.
With a seductive saunter, she closed the space between them, reveling in the way he watched her like a hungry animal on the hunt. Stopping as close to him as possible without actually touching, she rose up on her tippy toes and leaned in until her lips were a mere breath away from his. Feminine pride filled her when his breath caught in his throat. Just when her lips were about to brush his, she delved a hand into the bowl of popcorn and hastily retreated with her prize and a throaty chuckle.
Jake groaned, a low guttural sound in his chest. “What happened to the pig-tailed kid I used to know?”
Savannah smirked and shrugged. “I grew up.” She tossed a candy and popcorn tuft into her mouth and savored it with the same overdramatic zeal he’d done earlier, eyes closed and lips slightly parted. “Mmmm, that is so good.”
Jake sighed. “You’re trouble, Vanna-Banana.”
Savannah grinned. “Yeah, but you’ve always known that.”
He shook his head. “This is an entirely different kind of trouble,” he argued, his voice low and husky.
Grinning wider, she popped another kernel into her mouth. “You have no idea.”
Jake cleared his throat. “I’m beginning to.”
“So, if I’m over here reading and eating all the popcorn, what are you going to do? Still thinking a Die Hard marathon?”
“I’m pretty sure you don’t want to know what I’m actually thinking, so let’s stick to the original plan.”
“And that is?” she asked with wide-eyed innocence. As ashamed as she was to admit it, Savannah like flirting. She’d always rolled her eyes at her classmates, but she was actually enjoying playing cat and mouse with Jake, bantering in a playful give and take. It was a dangerous game, but she loved the thrill.
Jake cleared his throat. “Um, movie night.”
“Care to tell me how a Die Hard marathon is going to teach me these all-important life lessons you insist I need?”
He shook his blonde head at her. “No Die Hard. At least not tonight anyway. Cold Mountain.”
Savannah couldn’t hold back her groan. “Not that mush again.”
Jake silenced her protest with a finger in the air. “Uh-uh. No complaining. I’m bribing you with popcorn and M&M’s. The least you can do is sit quietly and watch the movie.”
“That’s it. I get to pick the movie next time,” Savannah grumbled.
“Deal,” Jake agreed much too quickly. His proud smirk betrayed his self satisfaction over the promise of a ‘next time.’
“And don’t get any ideas. I’m making your ass watch Vegucated or something else like it,” she threatened playfully.
“Done. If you’ll give my movie a chance, I’ll watch whatever you want.”
“Fine. Bring on the bad accents and ridiculous plot lines,” Savannah agreed overdramatically, plopping onto the end of the sectional in true martyr style.
Jake chuckled as he circled round to sit beside her, placing the popcorn bowl on the cushion next to her. With a few clicks of a remote, his big screen came to life. True to her word, Savannah settled into her prospective cushion and focused on the film playing out on the screen in front of her.