"Whoa, you okay?" Jack questions as he grabs ahold of my arm.
"Yeah, just stood up too fast." I turn to Jase and introduce the two guys to each other. When I sit down, Jack does as well and orders us another round of beers.
"So, what did you do today?" Jack asks.
"I spent the morning at the dance studio to get in some practice. Then I came home and took it easy for the rest of the day. You?"
"Been harassing the new pledges at the frat house." He laughs and takes a drink of his beer.
I sneak a quick glance at Jase and roll my eyes. Frat guys were never my thing. Maybe it's their arrogance, but I didn't catch that about Jack when we went out the other night.
Jack leans in close to my ear and whispers, "You wanna dance?"
Taking my hand in his, he helps me off the barstool, and we make our way to the crowded dance floor. I start to move to the beat of the music that blasts throughout the club. 'Push It' by Garbage is playing, and I lose myself in the sea of people dancing around me along with the flashing lights and loud music.
Jack is behind me, and I feel his arms as they slide across my stomach, underneath the hem of my top. He moves in sync with me as I dance to the rhythm of the song. I can already feel drops of sweat trickling down my spine, and it must be the tequila that is making me feel bold when I reach up behind me and wrap my hand around the back of his neck. I feel the stubble on his jaw as he glides his chin along my damp neck and takes a soft bite. Shit, that's hot.
Turning me around in his arms, I can see the heat in his darkening eyes. I rake my fingers through the hair on the back of his head as he pulls my hips tight against him, and he leans down and covers my mouth with his.
I'm not sure what has come over me. Since my conversation with Roxy, I have been a little bit bolder with myself. But here, in the middle of this dance floor, kissing Jack, is pretty damn bold for me.
Jack and I continue to dance through a few more songs when we decide to take a breather and get a drink. We walk over to our section and sit down on one of the couches. I take a long drink of my beer and nearly choke when Kimber suddenly yanks me off the couch.
"I've gotta piss," she says to me while looking at Jack.
"You're such a lady." I smirk at her and give Jack an apologetic look. "I'll be right back," I say to him. He nods back at me while stifling a laugh.
Kimber is nearly dragging me to the bathroom. As soon as she closes the door behind us she says, "What the hell was that shit on the dance floor all about, hooker?"
I start laughing. "What are you talking about?"
"What do you even know about this guy?" she questions.
"Well, nothing. I guess that's what makes it kinda fun," I say as I lean in to look at myself in the mirror. I lick my finger and swipe it under each of my eyes in an attempt to fix my makeup. "And why are you always spying on me?"
"Hey, can't blame me for watching. It was hot."
We both start laughing, and I shake my head, feeling a little embarrassed about the indiscreet show we gave her on the dance floor.
Kimber and I walk back, and Jack is laughing about something with Jase.
"What's so funny?" I ask as I make my way to sit in between the two of them.
Jack grips my thigh, giving it a little squeeze. He leans over and kisses me behind my ear and whispers, "I can't even remember now that you're here."
I look at him with a tiny smirk and shake my head. Sometimes Jack will say things that seem a little too fast, too soon, and it makes me feel slightly embarrassed. I turn away from him and ask Kimber how much longer she wants to stay.
She looks at her phone and says, "It's a little after one. I guess we can think about calling it a night if you're getting tired."
I look at Jack and give him an undecided shrug.
"Why don't we finish our drinks, and I'll drive you home," he says.
"Okay."
Kimber jumps up, "Great, well then I'm heading out. If I'm asleep when you get home, wake me up."
"I shouldn't be out too late, but I will," I say to her.
Kimber winks at me, then leaves. Jase says his goodbyes as well and heads out shortly after Kimber. I finish my beer and lean against Jack with his arm wrapped around my shoulders. We talk about what we have been doing the past few days. Most of our conversations are pretty easy, even though we don't seem to have a whole lot in common. But, it feels good to be next to him, so I don't really care what we talk about.
I'm pretty tired on the drive home. Leaning my head against the cold window, I close my eyes. It has been a crazy night for me, and I'm feeling a little confused about Jack but try not to think too much. I'm always thinking too much. When I feel the car start to slow, I open my eyes and roll my head to the side to face Jack.
It's now raining outside, and the trickling against the car is loud. Jack and I stare at each other in silence. I have missed having the affection of a guy, so I don't object when he leans in to kiss me. He touches the side of my face, and I wrap my hand behind his neck. His kisses are passionate and eager. I part my lips slightly, and he slides his tongue in my mouth and caresses it with mine. Grabbing my hips, he pulls me over the console and on top of him. With my legs straddled on either side of him, I can feel how turned on he is. He has both of his hands buried in my hair as he deepens our kiss. I am totally lost in him.
A soft moan escapes my lips, and I pull away. Suddenly, I'm thinking again as I look down at his flushed face. What am I doing? This isn't me. I don't act like this and especially not with guys I don't know and hardly care for. Stop thinking, Candace. I lean down and press my lips against his and we begin getting lost in each other again. Well, that's not true. I can't get lost because I can't stop thinking about how this is wrong. I'm only leading him on.