I let out a sound that resembles a growl. Fuck me. I’m growling at people now over her. She turns her head and her blue eyes lock with mine. Her brows raise as she stands. I’m sure my face shows that I’m pissed.
I grab my girl by her hips, easily picking her up and putting her behind me. I grab the back of Jacob’s neck, pushing down so he can’t get up from his seat. I would deck him in the mouth, but that would get me suspended for a few days. There’s no way that I’m missing school because that would mean missing time with Zoey.
I lean down next to his ear. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
“She was helping me.”
I squeeze harder at the lie. “It looked like you were trying to steal a look at something that doesn't belong to you.”
“I’m sorry,” he rushes to say, putting together that I’m not fucking around with him.
“If I catch you staring at her again, I promise you I’ll find your ass and deal with you off of school grounds. Do we have an understanding?” He tries to shake his head up and down, but he can’t with the hold I have on him. “I want the words, Jake.”
“Yes, we have an understanding.”
I give one last hard squeeze. He lets out a yelp and I release him. Zoey is standing there looking at me with her eyes wide. Mrs. Petters has pulled her headphones off and is now looking at us.
“He was staring down your shirt.” I grab Zoey’s bag before my other hand grabs a hold of hers.
“Have a good weekend.” Mrs. Petters gives us a smile before her eyes go back to Jake, and she narrows them on him. Looks like Mrs. Petters is on my side.
I don’t stop walking until we get to my truck. I open her door for her, tossing her bag in before she gets in and I shut the door behind her. I hop in and take off. Finally we’re alone. Her sweet scent fills my truck, and it makes me relax. Having her close has always done that. I’d forgotten how good it felt to be near her.
“Are you hungry?”
She lets out a small laugh. I glance over at her when I pull up to a stop sign. She licks her lips, her cheeks looking a bit pinker. The thought of her being turned on hits me like a Mack truck.
“Are you turned on, babe?” I ask.
Her lips part as she lets out a gasp. “You don’t just ask a girl that.”
I can’t help the smile that pulls at my lips. “Told you, babe. Your non-answer to a question is a yes.”
She rolls her eyes and looks out the window. “Are you hungry?” she asks as she continues to watch the landscape pass by the window.
“Starved.” I can only see her left cheek, but I watch the blush bloom. My jeans grow tight. I swear I’ve had a hard-on for a week straight. I reach over, resting my hand on her thigh as I take off toward the square. She doesn't brush my hand away. In fact, she lays her hand on top of mine. I’ll take it… and I’ll keep on taking each little piece she gives me until I have all of her.11ZoeyHe’s driving me insane. Actually I might be driving myself insane. He’s worn me down, and it has barely been a week since he came back into my life. The Reid I fell in love with all those years ago is back. He was right when he called me out about being turned on. It was easy to suppress my real feelings for him when I didn’t have to see or talk to him on a daily basis. But now it’s impossible. His jealousy over me lit me up inside. At one point I’m pretty sure I heard him growl.
I wasn't too shocked by the sound. Sometimes when I catch Reid staring at me I think his eyes almost look feral. That he’s ready to pounce on me at any moment. But he never does. He still only gives me one of those kisses that are over before they really begin.
We’ve already slipped right into a routine. Willow is softly pushing me toward Reid too. I don’t know when she changed sides, but her arguments about why I should give this a go are good.
My heart was already stuck on Reid; it’s my mind that needs the convincing. Willow keeps insisting that I date him already so that I know if this is some passing childhood crush thing or the real deal. That I deserve to know one way or the other. That maybe I’d built him up in my head into something he’s not.
That’s the thing. She is right. I did have this idea in my head since I was a little girl that Reid and I would grow up and get married. I pictured the type of husband he would be, but the reality is better than any dream I’ve ever conjured up.