Seventeen
Jenner
Jo and I got into my car without a plan. We were hungry, and the only way we were going to stop devouring each other was if we left my house. So, I just started driving, a part of me knowing where I was going to take her. I’d thought of the destination while we were in the shower, rubbing soap over her fucking amazing body, weighing the different options.
Only one place seemed right.
She knew LA. She’d grown up here. If she was going to return to the West Coast, it was because she wanted to be here, not because of a place I had shown her.
What we needed was a space where we could listen to each other.
But we needed food to do that as well, so I pulled up to the front of the restaurant and shifted into park.
“Nobu?” She laughed, and I remembered she’d mentioned this place in her text. “Of course we’re here; it’s so you.” She smiled. “And so delicious.”
“I’m just running in.” I opened my door. “It’s going to take me a minute. Stay put, all right?”
She nodded, and I left the car running and hurried inside, immediately greeted by the hostess.
“Jenner, hi,” Alyssa said, leaning forward across the desk in her low-cut dress. “It’s a little early for you, no? I usually don’t get to see you until way past sunset.”
“Alyssa …” The only negative of sleeping with the hostess of my favorite restaurant was having to see her every time I came in. “I’m in a rush. Any way I can place an order and you can have the guys quickly put it together?” I reached into my wallet and pulled out my credit card and a hundred-dollar bill, slipping both in her hand.
She glanced down at her palm, a grin moving across her face. “I’m sure I can work my magic. What do you want?”
Because I came here so much, I knew the menu by heart. I grabbed a piece of paper from the top of the desk and a pen, and I jotted down my order.
She reviewed it and said, “I’ll be back.”
While I waited, I took out my phone, scanning through the messages that had come in.
Dominick: How do you like your surprise?
Me: You’re behind this? Jesus, I couldn’t figure out why you were so adamant about where I was headed after work or how she got to my front door. Now, it makes sense.
Dominick: Why are you texting me? Shouldn’t you be busy as hell right now?
Me: I’m picking up food and taking her on a little adventure.
Dominick: Stop … you sound like a man in love.
Me: Not this again.
Dominick: Just stating the obvious, buddy. Have fun.
“Here you go, Jenner,” Alyssa said.
I shoved my phone into my pocket and signed the receipt, taking my credit card from her and the two large bags. “I appreciate this, Alyssa.”
“My pleasure,” she sang.
I hurried out the door before she could say another word and placed the bags in the back of my car before I got into the driver’s seat.
“Food to go,” Jo said. “This keeps getting more interesting.”
I rolled down our windows, letting the breeze in, and I put my hand on her thigh as I started the drive. There was always traffic along this route, but because of the time, we missed the big rush and got here faster than normal, the scent of the ocean filling the car as I pulled into the driveway.
Jo looked at the large three-story home through the windshield. “Your parents’ house?”
“Yes.”
“Man”—she shook her head—“they have exquisite taste.” She slowly gazed at me. “I’m so happy you brought me here.”
“You haven’t even seen the house yet.”
“It’s the thought …”
I squeezed her leg, giving her a quick kiss, and said, “Come on. We have a ton of sushi to eat.”
I got the bags from the back of the car, and she followed me to the front, where I typed in a code, the door unlocking to allow us inside. As we made our way through, I grabbed a bottle of red from the large glass wine room my parents had built in the living room. Once I had an opener and two glasses, I stopped at the closet to get a blanket before we made our way outside. We walked across the large deck and down the stairs that ended in the sand. Since it was high tide, I set everything a few feet from the water, giving us enough space so we wouldn’t have to move if it grew any closer.
“Had I known you were coming, I would have done this differently,” I told her.
“Differently?” With the blanket down and the containers now spread about, the chopsticks and napkins next to them, she began to take off all the lids. “How so?”
I lifted the lip of the metal seal, pulling it off the wine bottle. “There are companies that do these kinds of spreads, and they’re a hell of a lot better at it than I am. I would have hired one.”
She clasped my arm as I pulled out the cork. “Stop. This couldn’t be more perfect.”
“You’re sweet.”
“Maybe, but I’m serious, Jenner.” A smile warmed her face. “I love this so much.”
I needed to taste her.
I held the bottle to the side and leaned forward, halting inches from her lips. The breeze was blowing through her hair, her long strands tickling my face. I cupped her cheek, holding her steady, the same wind sending me her perfume. Her fall scent of cinnamon and pumpkin mixed with the salty air, the combination so fucking perfect.
“Jo …” I whispered, my eyes closing, breathing her in. I stayed like that for just a few beats, finally connecting us. “Mmm,” I growled, the flavor of her lips even more enticing. “Fuck me, you’re dangerous.”
She laughed. “That’s what I’ve been saying about you since we met.”
I released her and poured the wine into two glasses.