Bea and I left, and Justin never even knew we’d been there.
***
The sound of punching could be heard coming from Justin’s exercise room. As I got ready for my sort-of-date with Roger, it occurred to me that the last time Justin beat the shit out of the Everlast punching bag like that was the night of my date with Dr. Danger last summer. This felt like deja vu.
I stood in the doorway and watched him attack the bag until he noticed me and stopped.
Out of breath, he said, “What time are you leaving again?”
“In about forty-five minutes. I just wanted to make sure you were all set to watch Bea.”
He wiped the sweat off his forehead. “Yeah. I’ll shower and be downstairs in time for you to leave.”
“Thank you.”
Wanting to make sure she had a full stomach before I left, I nursed Bea while Justin was taking his shower. She ended up falling asleep, so I put her in her crib before checking myself out one last time in the mirror. The jazz festival was a casual event, so I wore a simple tank top with a denim jacket and flowy floral skirt.
Back downstairs, I was waiting for Justin so that I could give him some last minute instructions. I started loading a couple of bottles of pumped milk into the refrigerator when I heard his voice behind me.
“She’s asleep?”
“Yup.”
“So what do I need to know?”
When I turned around, Justin was leaning against the counter, looking gorgeous. A few strands of his wet hair were falling over his forehead. He hadn’t bothered to put on a shirt. My eyes couldn’t help traveling down to his cut abs. His thumbs were hooked into the belt loops at his waistline. While his jeans were zipped, they were unbuttoned at the top. I imagined what it would be like to lick a line straight down that happy trail. On top of that, he was barefoot.
Fuck. Me.
I had some instructions to give him, yet I’d forgotten them all. My mind went completely blank.
“Not to steal your own words from you, Amelia…but my eyes are up here.”
Feeling embarrassed, I simply said, “I know.”
He wore a smug grin. “So…answer me. What do I need to know while you’re gone?”
“Um…I have two bottles of milk that I pumped. They’re sitting in the door.”
“I won’t drink them.” He winked.
“She should have a serving of rice cereal when she wakes up. That will help keep her stomach full while I’m out in case the two bottles aren’t enough. I literally just fed her before she went down.”
He crossed his arms. “Alright…anything else?”
“You should change her diaper as soon as she wakes up, too.”
“Got it.”
I tilted my head. “Any questions for me?”
“How late are you staying out?”
“Probably not more than a few hours. I should be back by eight.”
When he didn’t say anything further, I asked, “Any more questions?”
He was silent, but his stare was burning into mine. “Yes, I do in fact,” he finally said.
“Okay. What?”
“Why were you looking at me like you want to eat me?”
“Are you being serious right now?”
“Are you being serious, Amelia?”
“I’m lost.”
“Are you being serious about going out with Roger Podger when you’d rather be staying home with me?”
“Who said I’d rather be staying home with you?”
“Your nipples.”
I squinted my eyes incredulously. “My nipples…”
“Yes. While you were looking at me, I was watching them, and they literally hardened before my eyes.” He walked slowly toward me then leaned in. “No part of you—body or mind—really wants to be with him, and you know it. You’re doing this to fuck with me because you think I don’t want you. You’re doing this to make me jealous.”
“That’s not true. Not everything is about you.”
“Not everything. But this…this is definitely about me.”
“No.”
“Bullshit. You wanted to see how far you could push me before I reached my breaking point.”
“If that’s what you want to believe, then fine. In the meantime, you egotistical ass, I’m going to a jazz festival.” I started to walk away, not even sure where I was going, since Roger was supposed to be coming here to pick me up.
He gripped my waist to stop me. Flipping me around, he moved me closer into him, his eyes telling me I wasn’t going anywhere until he damn well let me. Justin then slowly pushed me toward the door, and my back was now against it. His lips hovered over mine as he panted into my mouth. But he withheld. Needing to taste him, I couldn’t take it anymore. Wrapping my hands around his head, I pressed my lips into his. We opened for each other, the feel of his hot tongue swirling inside of my mouth more incredible than the countless times I’d imagined it over the course of a decade. I ran my fingers through his silky hair as we kissed. His mouth was insanely wet, hot, and his taste was addicting. There was no longer a concept of time.