Trace of Innocence (No Control Book 3)

Chapter 12

(No Control - 12. Midnight Memories)

"It's getting late," Jess replies after a pause. "I should be getting home."

Oh my God, this girl. It's like riding a rollercoaster in the dark, not knowing which way the carriage will swerve next.

"I think you like playing games," I tell her. "But I still don't want to let you go. Come back with me."

I can see her eyes widen at my suggestion. She must be getting fed up of telling me she's not that kind of girl.

"Just for coffee," I try.

I can't let her go yet. I haven't had enough of her. Not by a long shot.

She considers this for a moment, her head cocked to one side. She reminds me of a springer spaniel. I have no idea why.

"Make it a tea and you've got a deal," she says suddenly, and she places her hand lightly on my hip.

I'm finding it difficult to think clearly when she's touching me, but I need to pull myself together. And I need to act quickly before she changes her mind. I whip out my phone and send a quick text to Paul, and he responds almost straight away - Paps everywhere. Back door.

Great. Just what we need.

"There are loads of paps outside," I explain to Jess, who is staring across the dancefloor at Fearne Cotton. "We'll have to go out the back way."

"OK," she shrugs.

I've used the back entrance a few times - no, not in that way, keep your dirty thoughts to yourself - so I know where to go.

"Your car is at the end of the alley," the bouncer says to us as we reach the bottom of the back steps, and he pushes the fire escape door open.

I thank him and take Jess's hand as we walk across the cobbles, avoiding the puddles that have formed from the rain that is now falling. She stumbles on the uneven ground and grabs my shirt, yanking the fabric.

"Woah, steady," I tease her. "I keep telling you, if you want me to take my shirt off, you only have to ask."

I slip my arm around her and she giggles, and we carefully make our way towards my car. Once we reach the pavement and the ground is smooth I scoot ahead to open the car door for her. I watch her slide in gracefully again and I try to do the same, aware I am a gangly, awkward mess compared to her.

"Home please, Paul," I say as I close the door and fasten my seatbelt.

I can't believe Jess is coming back with me. I wonder what she's thinking. Has she really never had a one night stand before? Is she considering having one with me?

Suddenly I'm nervous. What if she's expecting something earth shattering from this supposedly experienced celebrity, and I'm a huge disappointment?

Oh God, why didn't I think of this before? All the banter was all very well when I didn't really think it was leading anywhere but now she's sitting beside me in my car and there's a small chance we might...

Oh God I can't think about it all of a sudden. Whose idea was this? Fuck.

My thoughts are interrupted by Jess rooting in her bag and pulling her phone out. I watch her with interest. Any minute now she's going to realise she has a new Twitter follower. Or maybe a few thousand. Wait for it....

Hang on, she's switching her phone off. Wow. That was an anti climax. I hope that's not a prelude to how the rest of the night is going to go.

"Preserving the battery," she explains, probably noting my confused look. "I'll need to call a cab to get home."