And then I feel the reason for those screams of laughter when paint splatters all over me.
Mia’s eyes flash open, her mouth popping to an O.
Motherfucking paint party.
They couldn’t have waited like, five more f**king minutes before blasting out that shit!
I run my hand through my hair and look down at my palm. It’s streaked with yellow, blue and pink neon paint. Mia’s hand goes to her face. She’s equally as covered with the paint as I imagine I am. Running her fingers over her cheek, then her forehead, she streaks the colors, mixing them together.
She looks even more beautiful, if possible.
Incandescent.
Exotic.
And incredibly dangerous to my heart.
She looks up to watch the continuing shower of color, shielding her eyes with her hand, and laughing.
And I can’t wait a f**king second longer.
I take her face in my hands, and I kiss her. Hard.
There’s a tremble in her body. I feel her tense for just a split second, then she relaxes into me and her lips part on a soft moan.
I feel it all the way down to my dick. And let’s just say, he’s pretty f**king happy about it.
Sliding my fingers into her hair, I cup the back of her head. “Is this okay?” I whisper over her lips.
She nods.
It’s the only answer I need.
I kiss her deeper, slipping my tongue into her mouth, needing more of her.
Mia’s hands slide up my arms. I can feel the slick of the paint between my skin and hers, and it makes the sensation of her touch even more intense.
Okay, so maybe they’re onto something with this paint thing.
She inches up on her tiptoes, looping her arms around my neck, gripping my hair with her fingers, keeping me with her.
Not that she needs to because I have no intention of going anywhere right now. If ever. But I like that she wants me closer. That she doesn’t want to let me go.
I wrap my arms around her tiny waist, enveloping her, lifting her small body against mine. She’s so tiny, so fragile, yet so unbreakable.
She’s f**king amazing.
Everything I didn’t know I was looking for.
I know I’m f**ked. She has me now. If there were ever a chance of me going back after this one taste of her, it’s gone.
I’m gone for her.
I know she’s meant to be leaving in a little over a week’s time, but I can’t let that happen. I’m going to have to figure out a way to keep her in my life for good. Figure out a way for her to want to stay with me.
Chapter Sixteen
Mia
If a moment could be held in time forever, kept there to revisit and cherished, then mine would be last night.
I would box the memory, tie it tight with a ribbon, and keep it safe for always. Keep it there to open whenever I need to be reminded of a moment of wonderful.
I know for most girls, going on a date with a guy, being taken to a nightclub and sprayed with neon paint, might not be their idea of an evening to cherish.
But for me, it is.
Because it was my night. Jordan made everything about me. Focused on me. Cared if I was happy, and if I was having a good time.
Me.
It was like complete freedom while with another person.
I could dance how I wanted to dance. Talk to whomever I wanted to. Kiss who I wanted to kiss…
Jordan.
There was no fear. No control. No anger.
Just happiness.
I have never experienced anything like it, but I want to again…
And again…
And again…
It was like the best slice of freedom cake, topped with whipped cream and sprinkles.
And Jordan was the sprinkles.
We stayed at the club, wrapped up in each other. When the night was over, and it was time to leave, Jordan and I went back to the hotel together in his car, and Beth got a ride home from Toni.
He was perfect. It was perfect. And when he walked me to my door, he kissed me goodnight, the sweetest kiss of all. Then he went to his room.
I showered the paint off best I could, and fell into bed in a cloud of contentedness.
Now, I’m lying in bed, wide awake at the butt crack of dawn, unable to go back to sleep. I’m counting the seconds until I can see Jordan again while recounting every moment of last night—barring the bumping into one of Jordan’s previous conquests. I cringe when I think of what she said, and I cringe even worse when I think of what I said to her.
When I hear a knock at my door, I almost leap out of bed in my excitement, not remembering until I’m opening the door that I’m still in my pajamas. I probably look a complete state. I’ve never really been that concerned with how I look, until him. I only ever dressed and looked nice because it was expected of me by Oliver and Forbes
“Morning.” His voice is low and husky. “I didn’t wake you, did I?”
God, he looks gorgeous, even at this early hour.
“No. I’ve been awake a while. Couldn’t sleep.”
“Me either. I’ve had this girl on my mind all night.”
“Anyone I know?” I hold back a smile.
Dozer comes into view at Jordan’s side, all puppy dog eyes at me. Pushing past Jordan, he comes to me.
“Hey, buddy.” I kneel down to stroke him.
“You might know her,” Jordan says, answering my question. “Blonde hair, blue eyes … beautiful. We went out on a date last night as it happens.”
He just called me beautiful.
Beautiful.
Composing myself, I look up at Jordan. “Really?” I say, playing along. “So how was the date?”