Page 41 of Stand and Defend
Kicking back in my joggers and Lakes sweatshirt, I grab the remote and relax into the massive U-shaped theater sofa. There’s a bunch of new movies out, so I choose one with lots of action. I want to see some shit blow up. I haven’t seen Jordan since lunch. We didn't eat dinner together, and tonight, she’s reading instead of joining me. It’s a relief. I need some distance from her. She’s screwing with my head.
Getting off earlier helped, but I need to get laid. By a woman, not my hand.
So, what am I doing at home?I should go out tonight. O’Callahan said something about drinks at Top Shelf. I pick up my phone to text the boys as Jordan strolls in, grabbing a blanket from the overflowing basket.
“What are we watching?” she asks, plopping down adjacent to me on the left wing of the sofa. She brings her hand to the touch sensor to recline. She’s still in my fucking shirt.
Then again, it’s been a long day of traveling. Maybe I should stick around home and rest.
“What happened to your hot date?”
She scrunches up her nose. “There was some other woman drama, he kissed the wrong girl. Took me right out of it.” She laughs. “Shit, even my book boyfriends are cheaters. I must have a type.”
“Well, no wonder you aren’t into me. I’m not a cheater.”
“It’s easy not to cheat when you never commit to anyone,” she says with pursed lips. My gaze focuses on her mouth, and I gnaw the inside of my cheek.
“It’s easy not to cheat, period. Just because I like variety, doesn’t mean I couldn’t remain loyal if it were my situation.”
“And do you think thatsituationwill ever be a reality for you?”
I smile and chuckle to myself. “Nope.”
She laughs with me. “Exactly. Dude, you’re a slut.”
I press a hand to my chest. “I’m sorry, are you shaming me?”
“Not at all,” she says, grinning like the Cheshire cat.
I shouldn’t be checking her out, but it’s so easy from this angle. And when her eyes are on the big screen, I can stare as long as I want. The freckles I plan to memorize are on display. They make her appear even more wholesome, which makes my dick twitch. She’s not innocent. There’s no way. I’ve seen that mischievous flicker in her eyes, the combination is...damn.
She’s so far away. “You can sit by me, you know. I won’t try fucking you. I have self-control, believe it or not.”
She gets up and trudges closer but keeps a couple cushions between us and tucks up her legs.
“Seriously?” I scoff.
“What?”
I shake my head and hit play on the remote. We sit in the dark, and I fold my arms behind my head to get comfy. As the movie plays out, the two main characters develop apredictable romantic connection as they try to stop a government coverup. I honestly don’t know what’s being covered up because I’m so goddamn distracted.
She looks over and does a double-take when she notices me staring at her.
“What?” she asks, with a nervous grin.
“Nothing.”
“Why are you looking at me?”
“Because you’re looking at me,” I say, chuckling. I gaze back to the screen. “You’re so weird.”
In my peripheral, she narrows her eyes and slowly returns her focus to the movie. How the hell is she not attracted to me? I’m a good-looking guy, it’s what the tabloids focus on. At least on a physical level she must feel something. The room is filled with heavy tension and sex. It’s so palpable, I’m shocked it hasn’t formed into a thick fog. There’s no way it’s all in my head. It wouldn’t feel this strong if it was one-sided. If so, I’m losing my grip with reality.
Doesn’t matter, Jordan is the inverse of the women I go for. She’s chill and easy to hang out with, and she dishes out as much shit as I do. She reminds me of hanging out with one of the guys. We’re becoming fast friends and?—
Wait a minute, did she fucking friendzone me?!
Holy shit. That’s exactly what she’s done.