Feet finally planted back on the ground, we make our way off the pier and onto the bike path to the sandy beach below. Somewhere along the short walk, Dean's hand finds mine and I can't find a single reason to protest. Instead I lace my fingers with his and walk with him to the edge of the paved pathway. The last thing I want to do is let go, but my flip flops are sure to hinder me walking in the sand so I reluctantly pull my hand away and bend to remove them. Hooking the plastic straps over my fingers, I link my other hand with his again as we stroll toward the surf.
As we get closer to the water I shiver and goosebumps pop out all over my arms.
"Here," Dean says as he shrugs out of his leather jacket and wraps it around my shoulders.
I mutter a thank you as I push my arms through the sleeves. Instantly the warmth left on the jacket from his body seeps into mine and I'm comfortable again. I breathe in the scent lingering on the soft leather. I'm not sure if it's his cologne, his soap, or just him. Whatever it is, it's making the muscles in my stomach loosen and my head swim with thoughts of getting closer to him so I can continue to breathe it in.
Abruptly he stops walking and I pause beside him, looking up in confusion.
"Sorry, did you have plans to take a dip while we're down here?" Dean asks lightheartedly.
I snap back to reality and realize how close we are to the water's edge. We take a few steps back to the dry sand and sit down side by side. I bring my knees up and wrap my arms around them to keep warm. Dean stretches his legs out in front of him, crossing them at the ankles and leans back on his hands.
"Sometimes when things get crazy at the house, I go for a run and more often than not, I end up here," he tells me, staring out at the darkened sky which can no longer be distinguished from the water.
"It's so peaceful out here at night. I can see why you come here."
"Yeah it's a great place to just sit and think. I feel like I can just forget the world when I'm here. Guess it's a little cheesy, huh?" he asks me as he turns his head in my direction.
I look back at him and can just make out his features in the faint moonlight. The shadows make him look dark and a little dangerous, and very…sexy. I drag my teeth across my bottom lip and let my gaze linger on his lips. All of a sudden they're moving and I'm so wrapped up in my steamy thoughts that I completely miss what he's saying.
"Huh?" I try to shake myself out of my self-imposed trance.
He chuckles and looks down at his feet, "I said earth to Jessie. Am I boring you?"
"No, no definitely not," I sputter trying to save face, "I just got lost in my thoughts for a minute."
"Care to share?" he raises his eyebrows in question and the corner of his mouth quirks up.
"I…um…" I trail off because once again I can't take my eyes off of his mouth. I blink and force myself to look him in the eye. This time he's looking at me with the same intensity I felt a minute ago when I was staring at him.
"Jessie," his voice is barely a whisper as he lifts his hand to my jaw, trailing his thumb across my bottom lip.
There's a rushing sound in my ears. I can't tell if it's my heart thundering in my chest, or the waves crashing on the shore. All I know is this time, there's nothing to interrupt us.
I turn my body towards his and place my hand against the side of his neck. I can feel his heartbeat racing, an echo of my own. Our lips are a breath apart, Dean's eyes are on my mouth and I slowly wet my lips. This sends him over the edge and in an instant he crushes his mouth to mine. All the anticipation from this afternoon has built into an overwhelming need. I move my hand from his neck to his hair and gently tug to hold him close. He brings his other hand to my cheek and holds me in place as he ravishes my lips. I can't help it, I want more. I part my lips and he takes the invitation immediately. His tongue sweeps into my mouth and tangles with mine. I moan lightly as he takes the kiss deeper.
Unable to get enough, I wrap both arms around his neck and pull him into me. Dean removes one hand from my face and wraps it around my back, lowering me to the sand. With the other hand he wraps his fingers around my thigh, just above my knee, and brings my leg to rest against his hip and he leans into me. In this new position I can feel that more than just his lips are aching for me. Instinctively my hips press into his and the connection causes us both to moan deeply, the sensation flooding my senses and sending my head spinning into oblivion.
Suddenly I'm aware of the sounds from the pier above us, the games and rides flashing their lights against my eyelids, and I feel the small hills of sand against my back. His hand slowly traveling up my thigh sets my heart racing but not for the reason it should. My heart is racing, my blood ices over and I completely freeze up.
Dean has slowed to a stop and looks concerned, like he's about to ask me what's wrong. A dull ringing sound penetrates the air and pulls me back to my senses.
"Shit…" I mutter when I realize the ringing is coming from my pocket.
I fumble for my phone as Dean brings his forehead down to rest against mine, struggling to calm himself.
"I'm so sorry, just give me one second," I mouth breathlessly, secretly grateful for the distraction.
He nods and rolls to the side. I finally free my phone from its denim confines and push the green button to answer it.
"What?" I exhale into the phone, still trying to calm myself.
"J, it's D. Got a high four-figure fight going down tonight, 12:30. You in?"
I squeeze my eyes tight as I consider what just happened. Everything was fine, amazing, and then I'm like a deer in headlights. Now this. I hate to leave him, but the words "four-figure" creep into my brain and I know I can't turn this match down. Plus, I need some time to get my head straight after what just happened and pounding the shit out of some girl is the perfect outlet.
"Yeah, I'll be there," I reply. I hit the red button and shove the phone back into my pocket.
I lift myself up onto my forearms and look over at Dean. He's laying in the sand with the heals of his hands pressing into his eyes. I can't help but giggle a little at the exasperation that is so evident in his body language. Now that I've got some breathing room and my mind isn't stuck in places it shouldn't be, I'm able to find humor in his predicament.
"Oh I'm glad this is amusing you," he mutters before lunging for me and tackling me back onto the sand.
"Never! It's horrible," I struggle to breathe while his fingers dug into my ribs, tickling me. "Downright tragic!" I laugh so hard I cry. The tears stream down the sides of my head into my hair. When he finally feels I've had enough, he brushes the hair from my forehead where it has flown in my struggles. Tucking it behind my ear, he lowers his lips back to mine. This kiss is nothing like our first. It's soft, teasing, and unbearably sweet. No feelings of terror enter my mind. I relax into him and sigh, wrapping my arms around his back. Knowing it's getting late and I have to get ready for my match, I bring my hands back up to his face and kiss him one last time before I pull back.
"It's getting late…" I murmur against his lips.
"Is this my punishment for torturing you over the past 24 hours?" he jokes and moves in to kiss me again. I place two fingers against his lips causing him to pause.
"Well it wasn't, but now that you mention it I have been trying to think up a good revenge plot," I smile up at him and he heaves a sigh of resignation before pushing himself to his feet and reaching a hand back down to help me up. The grin on his face lets me know he isn't actually upset which sets my mind at ease.
"Come on, I'll get you back home. Wouldn't want to monopolize your revenge-planning time, especially if this is your idea of payback." He smirks and hands me my flip flops.
He doesn't let go of my hand as we walk back to the bike path, up the steps and into the parking lot. He walks around to the passenger side and I think he's going to open the door for me but I find myself pinned between Dean's tall, lean body and his car. He places his hands on my hips and runs them up my sides then around my back as he pulls me close and lowers his mouth until it's hovering just above mine.
"Since I don't want your brother or Kelsey giving you the grand inquisition I figured it'd be best to handle the goodnight kiss now."
I purse my lips as I look up at him, "Well that certainly seems like a sensible solution."
"Trust me, there's nothing sensible about my thought process. I just can't seem to get enough of you…" He trails off as he brings his mouth down to meet mine, and once again I'm hit with an onslaught of sensation. Kissing Dean is different from any other experience I've had. Everywhere our bodies meet is like a flash of fire dulling to a warm ache that spreads and leaves a tingling pulse in its wake. The nerves in my body start firing and I lose all coherent thought. Which is evident by the fact that I'm currently considering pulling him into the backseat with me and showing him how much I wish I didn't have to leave him. All the anxiety and hesitation I felt when lying under him on the beach is gone, as if it were never there to begin with.
Thoughts of the present trickle back into the forefront of my mind and I once again pull away. This time I leave my hands tangled in his thick dark hair and fix my eyes on his. I can't help the ridiculous grin that takes over my face and he brushes the dimple in my cheek with his thumb before placing a chaste kiss upon it. He leans close to my ear and I have to force my body not to shudder at his closeness.
"I'm glad you came out with me today."
"Me too. Thank you for an amazing afternoon, and an…interesting evening," I hear a giggle escape and internally scold myself for coming off like a dippy sorority girl. Pull yourself together Maddox!
"The pleasure was definitely all mine." Dean reaches behind me to unlock the door and I step aside so he can open it.
We both slip into the car and Dean holds my hand on the gearshift for the short ride back to my apartment. As promised, our connection outside the car back in the pier parking lot was our last. He rides the elevator to my floor and walks me to the door like a gentleman. I tell him it isn't necessary but years of good breeding won't allow him to compromise his manners.
"Just because we've already done the kiss, doesn't mean I can't walk you to your door to say goodnight."
He's so sweet and unlike the typical jock meatheads and rich, yuppy snobs I've come across in the past two plus years. Then again, I haven't exactly put forth an effort to get to know anyone of the male persuasion since I got here. Still, I have a feeling Dean is unique in that sense. He hasn't pushed me any farther than I've been willing to go, but he certainly makes it known that he would be willing to venture as far as I'd allow. Standing in the hall like this, only feet away from my bedroom, it's taking all of my willpower not to invite him in. I've got to keep my head together. I've got a fight in a little over an hour.
I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck in an all-too-brief hug. "Thank you again for today. I haven't had this much fun in ages."
"Well that's completely unacceptable. I insist that you have this much fun at least once a week. In fact, I'm going to make myself responsible for ensuring you let lose and enjoy your college experience from here on out. And I promise, no frat parties, unless you want to go," he winks at me and places a chaste kiss on my cheek before backing away towards the elevator. The doors open instantly and I raise my hand in a dazed wave as he disappears behind them.