Author's Note: Thank you again to those that have left me comments. I really appreciate it. It gives me motivation to continue writing. Let me know if you would like a chapter 4; I have a few ideas on how this can continue.

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They stared into each other's eyes for a moment longer knowing that Jess would most likely leave. It was as if time had stopped. Nothing else existed but the pull between the two. The distance between them seemed to disappear. Before either knew it, their lips were only inches apart. Rory's eyes widened at their sudden closeness and her breath hitched. Jess was taking in the scent of her feeling the warmth of her breath on his lips. It was like the ghost of a touch. He wanted so badly to kiss her but he knew he shouldn't. She wasn't free to be his. Rory's hand slightly trembled from excitement and anticipation. Jess closed his eyes and turned his head away. He cleared his throat. Rory's eyes darted from side to side at his movement. He started to back away.

"Jess." He raised his eyes to her but didn't say anything. He just stared at her thinking she was what he wanted but couldn't have.

"I know it's getting late and Luke will probably want you back but I have something for you." A look of curiosity was forming on Jess' face.

"Luke will be alright without me." He replied coolly.

Rory stood up and led the way to her bedroom Jess following close behind her. She went to her bookshelf and pulled out her copy of The FountainHead by Ayn Rand. "Here." she tossed it to Jess who caught it smoothly. "You promised you'd give it another try. You can borrow my copy so I know that you actually have one to read."

Jess smiled. "Thanks." Jess loved books. He couldn't remember a time where he didn't have a book on him. He liked the feel of flipping the pages and writing his thoughts on the margins. This particular book he was not a fan of however. He couldn't get through it the first time he tried to read it but he would put himself through it for her.

"I'll be waiting for your thoughts."

Jess chuckled. "Of course. Would you like me to start now?" He asked.

"Jess, you haven't even begun to read it again."

"That can be rectified in a moment." He said slyly, opening the first page of the book. He walked back to the couch and began to read aloud. Rory looked at him from the hallway.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Reading."

"Ok, but why here? Why now?"

"Did you not just say you wanted to hear my thoughts?"

"I meant after you've read it."

"And that is why I am reading Rory." He smiled and turned back to where he left off.

Rory looked at him in amazement. She had meant to give him the book and let him be on his way but this was nice. She could never have shared a moment like this with Dean. She looked at Jess and her heart was racing it. There was no denying it. She liked Jess. Her feelings for him grew more and more every time she shared moments like this.

Relishing in the moment, Rory walked over and sat next to Jess. She pulled one of the throw pillows from the side and hugged it to her chest as she got comfy on the couch. Jess' eyes darted to her but he didn't stop reading. An hour had gone by with small comments from Rory and retorts mostly in disagreement from Jess. He could not get through the long monologues and his eyes were beginning to close. He hadn't heard any comments from Rory for the past 10 minutes. He was determined to finish the page before he looked over at her but then he felt a small pressure on his shoulder. Rory's head had fallen so gently onto his shoulder. She was asleep.

Jess looked down at her not making too much movement so as not to wake her. Her warmth was like a comfortable blanket kindling the allure of sleep. His tired eyes closed for a moment letting himself ingrain the feeling of having Rory sleeping next to him. He was unapologetically happy at this moment. He let nothing else cloud his mind, only the thought of Rory. Jess had meant to only stay a minute longer but his tired eyes were unwilling to reopen. Before he knew it, he was fast asleep next to her, his head resting over Rory's.