We've been strolling around the park for at least ten minutes and he hasn't said a word to me. I shiver, probably due to my exposed shoulder, and Dean let's go of my hand, wrapping his arm around me instead. We never break stride, just continue walking seemingly aimlessly around the park. I lean into his side and let his body warm me up. He smells amazing and even though I'm curious as to why we're wandering around a park at eleven on a Sunday night, I could do this for hours if it meant being near him like this.
As if he heard my thoughts and decided to appeal to my curiosity, Dean pulls me to the base of a large coral tree and turns me to face him. I lean back against the trunk, waiting for him to tell me why he's brought me here.
"I was really surprised to see you tonight," he says, dragging a hand through his hair before moving in closer to me.
"Good surprised or bad surprised?" I ask, looking up at him.
"What do you think?" He brings his forehead down to rest against mine, placing both hands on my waist.
"I think…that we just walked around this park for half an hour so you could make out with me under a tree." I can't help but giggle as his lips move to hover an inch from mine.
"Hey, just say the word and I'll take you home."
"Not a chance." I grab his face in both hands and pull him to me.
Regardless of what is going on in my head lately, kissing him makes me forget everything. Our lips are crushed together and he takes a step forward so his body is pressed against mine. Thank god for this tree because I would be a puddle of hormones and yoga pants on the ground without it. I lower my hands to his neck, then run them across his chest, feeling his solid muscles beneath my palms before bringing them to rest on his shoulders.
He slides his hands from my waist up my ribcage and I suck in a breath as his thumbs skim the sides of my breasts. He takes advantage of the opening and teases my tongue with his. The sensation evokes a moan from me and if it's possible I mold myself to him even more.
I tear my lips away for a second to breathe and it's both the best and worst decision ever because he seizes the opportunity to trail his lips across my jaw and down to my neck.
"Oh god, Dean," I whisper before I even realize the words are escaping my mouth. I run my hands through his hair and urge him on.
"Wait," he pants, breaking away from me.
I think I whimper, it must be me, I don't know what else could sound so pathetically needy. "For what?"
"Jess don't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you want me to take you up against this tree. So damn gorgeous, with those big doe eyes," he shoves both hands through his hair and clasps them behind his head as he paces a small circle in front of me.
"What's so bad about that?" I ask, trying to bring him back to our little bubble from a moment ago. There's not a whole lot of seduction behind my words though. He called me gorgeous and it makes me a little giddy.
His eyes flash up to mine. The heat behind them staggers me, even from a few feet away. "Don't say things you don't mean Jessie. You have no idea what you're saying."
He's right, of course. The few interludes we've had in the last couple of days are as far as I've ever taken it with a guy. While my body is screaming at me to tell him I know exactly what I'm saying, in my mind I know that I would never let it get that far. Who knows how my mind would even react? Reluctantly I take a deep breath and push off the tree. I take a step, then two until I'm next to him. I take his hand in mine and pull him into a walk next to me.
"So, what did you bring me here for then?" I swing our joined hands slightly between us, careful to keep it fairly platonic.
"Well, as much as I enjoyed getting to spend a little more time with you, I did have an ulterior motive." He strokes the back of my hand with his thumb as we walk back in the direction of the car.
"And that would be…?"
"It's a proposition really."
"I'm listening," I say, totally confused at this point.
"Well, Thanksgiving break is coming up in a few weeks, and Jamie mentioned yesterday that you two are staying local this year since your family is going to be getting together at Christmas instead."
I'm still pretty bummed about that. It happens every year though. We either make a big deal for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but almost never both. It always depends on all my uncles and whether or not everyone can make it back home. I'm fully preparing myself for a lonely takeout meal for me and Jamie and a binge marathon of The Walking Dead.
"So," Dean continues, "I wanted to know how you feel about maybe taking a trip up the coast? I've been wanting to get out to Carmel ever since I declared as a photography major. The coastline and cliffs in the area will make for some amazing shots to build up my portfolio, and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather go with."
All of a sudden my palm feels like it's starting to sweat in his. My stomach does a little flip flop and I am not sure how to respond. Almost a whole week alone with Dean? Am I ready for that? What the hell am I saying, of course I'm not ready for that, we just went out for the first time this weekend! I've only known him for a little over a week! But it's not like he's asking me to go tomorrow. It's almost a month away. A lot can happen in a month…
"Man, I'd really love to know what you think about when you disappear like that."
His voice shakes me out of my thoughts and I realize I still haven't said a thing since his invitation. "Sorry, I do that a lot huh?"
He stops walking and turns to me, speaking quickly. "Look, no pressure. I just figured we could spend some time together without roommates and brothers and the annoying frat guys you love so much. It's cool, if you'd rather not go, it's not a big deal. I—"
"Do you think that's wise?" I ask, cutting him off mid sentence.
"What?" He's clearly thrown by my interruption.
"You. Me. Romantic beaches and cliff sides, I mean do you recall five minutes ago we could barely keep our hands off of each other in the middle of a park two hundred yards from a jungle gym?"
"I wasn't implying…I mean, I didn't ask you just so that we could—"
"I'm not saying no." I say quickly.
"Huh?"
"How about this: a bet. If you win, I'll go to Carmel with you for Thanksgiving."
"And if you win?" He counters.
"I'll get back to you on that one, I have to think about it."
"Alright…what are the terms?" He asks hesitantly.
In all honesty, I'm just trying to buy myself time. I'm not really sure if I am ready to go away with him given the fact that I'm pretty sure I know what's going to happen if I do. Instead of answering, I employ the only stall tactic I can come up with at the time in order to give myself some time to think.
"I don't know if I can fully trust your intentions, I mean we just met a little over a week ago. So to prove that you're not just asking me to take this trip with you because you think it'll be an easy way into my pants, no kissing, no touching the danger zones, no more rolling around on my bed making me insane. From now until the last class is over before break, you keep those hands, and lips, to yourself, and you win." I smile. I'm feeling very proud of my quick thinking.
That is, until I take a good look at Dean. His smile matches my own, but he's got a sly gleam in his eyes which makes me wonder if I just made a huge mistake.
"Deal."