"I didn't think you meant anything by it. I know you want to go slow."
"Are you okay with that?" I hated this feeling of insecurity, but I wasn't blind to how female eyes seem to follow him everywhere we went. The scandal of what had happened with Claudia only seemed to add to his notoriety. The fans were at a fever pitch last Saturday at the East End when the Henchmen performed, and I had been dismayed by the number of women who had pressed scraps of paper with their phone numbers scribbled on them into his hand when he got offstage. It's not that I didn't trust Simon, but a girl could only take so much before she got jealous and just a tiny bit insecure.
"Are you asking if I'm okay with waiting until you're ready?"
I nodded, the flush deepening. Simon cradled the sides of my head with gentle hands, his eyes shimmering with emotion. "Caitlin, I'd spend the rest of my life waiting for you. Don't you know that by now? I can't lie and say that I'm not wildly attracted to you and don't want to take our physical relationship to a deeper level. I spend most nights thinking about what it would feel like to have you under me, to be inside you. But I want you to be ready when that happens. I don't want you to have any doubts when I worship your body with mine." Simon's eyes darkened, his gaze piercing me. "Don't ever doubt that you have me...mind, body and soul. And don't ever forget that the same applies to you. You belong to me, mind, body and soul."
I gulped, utterly speechless as I gazed at Simon. A confusing mixture of emotions was going through me, but the most notable one was desire. "How am I supposed to go to work now?" I squeaked. All I could think about was making progress on the physical aspect of our relationship.
Simon laughed, shaking off his seriousness and kissing me lightly on the forehead. "C'mon, I'll walk you to work."
Even though the biting wind of November whipped around us, I felt warm as a result of Simon's words and his arm around my shoulders.
"What time is Kendra arriving tomorrow?" I asked, glanc
ing up at the bare branches shuddering from the strong wind as we made our way to Colette's. Even with everything that had happened, his sister was still determined to make use of Simon's plane ticket that he had given to her as a birthday present, and was flying in tomorrow.
"In the afternoon. Will you come with me to pick her up?"
"Of course."
It was a quick walk to Colette's and I was reluctant to let Simon go. "Thanks for walking me to work. I'll see you later."
I leaned up, intending to give him a chaste kiss goodbye, but he had other ideas. He ran his tongue along the seam of my closed lips, groaning when I opened them to grant him entrance. I knew we were in clear view of everyone inside Colette's since the front of the diner was all glass, but I couldn't seem to care as I wrapped my arms around Simon's neck, giving myself fully to him. His lips gently pulled at my lower lip, returning to claim my mouth fully, making a sound of approval when I pushed my tongue into his mouth.
I had no idea how long we were standing there, our desire making us oblivious to the cold. I finally had the sense to pull back from our kiss that had quickly spiraled out of control, although the only reason I did so was because I knew I was going to be late for work. I couldn't really give a believable excuse since I was sure Colleen, the owner, was watching Simon and I devour each other from just a few yards away.
Simon's face was harsh with desire and I reached up, stroking his jaw with my fingers. His expression gentled at my touch, turning towards my hand and kissing my palm.
"I have to go," I whispered, not surprised that I sounded so breathless.
Simon nodded, but he didn't release me. Instead, he said in a low voice, "I love you."
I smiled at him, my heart bursting with emotion. "I love you too."
My shift at Colette's was sheer torture. My desire to be with Simon, coupled with Marnie's endless questions about my relationship status, made the night seem go on forever. Even though I usually loved working with Marnie, a fellow waitress, her fervent curiosity was a little too much to take tonight. Colleen's amused looks didn't help either.
I wasn't surprised when I saw Simon waiting for me when I stepped outside of Colette's. He had made it a habit to walk me home after work, and I had stopped protesting.
He grinned when he saw me, lifting me into a bear hug. "How was work?"
"Long." I gave Simon a quick kiss and he wrapped his arm around me as we walked back to his place. "What have you been up to?"
"I was at Grant's and Marcus' apartment. We're trying to organize a new song lineup for tomorrow night, but Grant keeps changing his mind."
"Typical Grant. He's never happy unless he's obsessing about the Henchmen. Or Sarah."
One of the best things to have come out of this mess was the relationship between Sarah and Grant. Grant couldn't seem to bear having Sarah out of his sight, and it was funny to see such a role reversal. Not that Sarah wasn't just as enamored of Grant.
"That reminds me—are you going to Sarah's for Thanksgiving?"
"That's the plan." I had been going home with Sarah for all the major holidays since freshman year, ever since she had witnessed my father's cruelty firsthand. Her family welcomed me with open arms and made me realize how loving a real family could be.
"Will you consider coming home with me for Thanksgiving?" I didn't answer as I watched Simon unlock his front door. The warmth of his apartment after the frigid night air made my cheeks hot, although I think his question had something to do with the flush as well.
"Well?" Simon asked when I didn't answer. He threw both of our coats on the back of a chair and pulled me down onto the couch, cuddling me next to his side as he stretched out his legs.
"I appreciate the offer," I started slowly, "but do you think that's a good idea? The last time I was at your house, it was after I nearly got you killed. I think your family needs a break from me."