Never Again(36)

“I had a nice time,” Jake breaks the silence.

“Me, too.” I can tell he’s nervous by the way he scratches the back of his head, drops his gaze to the floor, and tucks his hands into his pockets.

“I’d kiss you, but I’m afraid you’d run away again,” the corners of his lips turn upward and he chuckles. “I’d better go,” he says, shifting from one foot to another. Tension in the air is so thick you could cut it with a knife. He turns on his heel, puts his gray beanie on his head, and leaves.



Jake



I just left Ella’s apartment building, and I’m sitting in my car. Sitting in my car because I can’t make myself move. I rub my face with my hands and grab the wheel. I don’t know what’s happening to me. I’ve never felt this way before. I take a deep breath. What started as a game to get Ella into bed with me, turned into a genuine interest in her, her as a person. But she totally blocked me out today. Ever since that brief kiss, she’s avoided me. What the hell? Why did she do that? Just when I finally got the chance to taste her lips, to feel her soft mouth against my own. Just for a second, but that second was enough. Her full lips were all I could think of for the rest of the evening. They still are. I still don’t know why she put up those walls around her. Does she regret the kiss? She has visibly shut herself away. When we stood in front of her door, I could barely restrain myself from crushing her to me and kissing her properly. Instead, I clenched my hands into fists, hid them in my pockets, and left. I pull the phone out of my pocket to write her a text, but I change my mind and put it back in my pocket. She’s probably had enough of me today. I’ve never felt this way before. It’s like she bewitched me. I can’t stop thinking about her. It seems like hours before I start the car, and drive to my empty house.



I’m awoken from my deep sleep by the ringing of my phone. Eyes still closed, I fumble for my phone and answer.

“Hello?” I ask sleepily.

“Hi, Jake,” a woman’s voice purrs.

“Who is this?”

“Um, Marcia. Remember me, from Todd’s party last night?” her voice loses that confidence from before.

Where did she get my number? “Oh, right, Marcia. Hi. Can I help you with something?” I sit up in my bed, and glance at my alarm clock. 10am. I scratch my head, and slowly get out of bed. Snatching a fresh pair of boxers out of the drawer, I head to the bathroom to take a shower.

“I was wondering if you have time to meet for coffee?” I look at the screen, and put it back against my ear. Coffee? What does she want from me? She was so annoying yesterday; I barely contained myself from pushing her off the couch.

“I’m sorry, but I’m about to head to practice. Some other time maybe, okay?” I lie. There won’t be another time, but she doesn’t have to know that.

“Oh, okay. I understand,” she sounds disappointed, but in the next second she says cheerfully, “I’ll hold you to that,” and says goodbye. Sticking a toothbrush in my mouth, I grab a fresh towel. I thoroughly brush, floss, shower, and get dressed. I remembered Ella is not working today so I decide to visit her, but before that I’ll get us coffee. We have to clear things up.



With my free hand, I firmly knock on the door.

“You’re not Sophie,” Ella says.

Nope, but I’m glad I get to see her in what she’s currently wearing. She has on short pink shorts that show off her shapely legs, and a white and pink tank top with Snoopy on the front. Her pajamas, I’m guessing. I notice she’s not wearing a bra since her hard nipples are poking through her shirt. Damn. I’m definitely drooling when her voice brings me out of my fantasy.

“What are you doing here?” She crosses her hands in front of her chest.

I raise the carton with two coffees, and push it under her nose. “I brought coffee.” I squeeze past her, and walk into her apartment without invitation. I watch her sexy legs approach me. She takes a bathrobe off the chair, and wraps it around her. Too bad. The view was amazing.

“Thanks, but I’m expecting Sophie any minute.”

“Okay, I don’t mind her being here.”

Ella raises an eyebrow, and looks at me sideways as if to say You don’t mind? It’s my house. I offer her a cheeky grin, and take a sip of the coffee. I completely forgot about the fact that it’s scalding hot, so I spit it out the next instant. It takes me a few seconds to recover.

“Damn it, that’s hot!” I mutter. As I glance at Ella, she’s nearly doubled over with laughter. “You think that’s funny, eh? I’ll show you what’s funny,” I say, as I start tickling her. “Who’s laughing now?” I ask as I tickle her sides and ribs.