Starting With You

34. Babe. It's not a bro date.

Jensen

ME: Where are you?
ME: I want to kiss you before I leave.
TEDDY: Ooh is it time for your bro date?
ME: Babe. It's not a bro date.
TEDDY: Are you going out with your bro?
ME: Babe.
ME: Just tell me where you are.
TEDDY: Turn around.

Teddy is strollingtoward me as I stand outside of my office building, and the sight of her literally takes my breath away. I clutch my phone as I take in the sight of her. She's wearing cut-off jean shorts and a fitted tank top, an outfit that reminds me of the curves she hides under her usual uniform of jeans and hoodies.

Thank God for the month of June and the return of warm temperatures. Her skin is already starting to tan from all her time spent outside. Instead of her signature braid, her hair is piled high in a messy bun with loose tendrils blowing around her face.

Fuck, she's beautiful.

"You weren't wearing that this morning," I observe when she stops in front of me.

Shrugging, she says, "I got hot."

"Yeah, you did." My eyes graze her body up and down again. "You know, I'm pretty sure there's a dress code for the boss' girlfriend. It's pretty strictly enforced too. You need to be covered from head to toe. No skin showing."

"You'd rather I die of a heat stroke than show any skin?" Her teasing smirk stirs familiar feelings in my gut. It's almost impossible not to be affected by this woman, no matter how much contact I have with her on a daily basis.

I trap the flyaway hairs with my hands, curling them behind her ears, as I cup her face. I can't seem to stop the grin I can feel spreading across my face. "I can get you one of those misting fans to keep you cool. Plus, regular hose downs in my shower throughout the day can be arranged."

"Or," she says with a laugh, "I could just dress appropriately for the weather."

"Or," I mimic her playful tone, "you could ask Marg to make you one of her big tent dresses. Pick out a really fun pattern. Maybe have one custom made with my face all over it."

"Oh my god, Jensen." She drops her forehead onto my chest, her shoulders shaking with laughter. "You really are the most ridiculous man I've ever met."

I lift her face with my finger under her chin, studying the way she looks just like this. Happiness looks good on her. She traces my lips with her finger, almost as if she's studying me, too. "What?" I whisper against her finger.

"Your face looks different when it's not grumpy. I like it."

Instead of responding, I dip my head to kiss her. It's a soft kiss, gentle presses against her lips. "You make me happy, Teddy. I can't help my face when I'm around you."

She rakes a hand into my hair and guides my mouth back onto hers. I follow her lead since I'm slightly addicted to the way she kisses me, the shallow dips of her tongue into my mouth, followed by longer sweeps, all the while making this low hum at the back of her throat that I'm almost certain she isn't aware of.

When she pulls away, I note the pinkness dotting her cheeks and I run my thumbs over them. "I'll be home later. You'll be there, right? Otherwise, I'll go to your place and drag you back."

Rolling her eyes, she replies, "Yes, J, I'll be there."

With a forceful grab of her ass, I haul her against me. "Good girl." I press a hard kiss onto her lips before backing away.

"Have fun on your bro date!" she calls to my retreating form. I shake my head, not even bothering to attempt to wipe the smile off my face. It's fruitless at this point.