Trace of Innocence (No Control Book 3)

Chapter 47 - part i

(No Control - 47. Better Than Words, first part)

"You seem on cloud nine, mate," Liam says to me after we've come inside and Jess has gone upstairs to get changed.

"I am," I smile, and he grins at me.

"She's a really nice girl," he says, and behind him Louis is pulling faces.

"You dropped the L-bomb yet?" Louis smirks, and I give him a dubious look.

"I'm not in love with her."

"Oh come on!" Louis scoffs. "You're smitten! It's written all over your face! And hers, too."

I hesitate. The All's fair in love and war comment has been playing on my mind since Jess said it when she was busy owning us in the pool. Is she in love with me? She doesn't act like it - she's always the first one to dismiss any sort of relationship status. Why would she keep doing that if her feelings were that strong?

I'm not willing to put myself out there again so soon, not after what happened with Nadine. I was crazy about her, but that feeling of rejection still burns silently whenever I think about it. Which isn't very often anymore, admittedly, but still.

Louis is getting a telling off from Liam for goading me, but I'm so absorbed in my own thoughts that the first thing I am properly aware of is the silence in the room and both of them looking at me expectantly.

"What?" I ask.

"I said, are there any good pizza delivery places nearby? We fancy pizza for dinner," Louis smirks.

"Um, yeah, there are a couple not far from here," I reply and pull the menus out from the drawer and hand them one each. "Just going for a quick shower," I mutter, and I leave the kitchen and jog up the stairs. I want to see Jess.

"Hurry up!" Louis calls after me. "We're starving!"

I ignore him and step into my bedroom, shutting the door behind me. Jess is wearing black leggings and a sleeveless tight top that clings to every soft curve. Her hair is wet and looks darker than usual, and she has no makeup on. She looks young; innocent.

"Hi," she greets me as I lean down to kiss her.

"Hi yourself," I smile. "I've missed this."

I've missed the feel of her soft lips on mine. I've missed the feel of her warm hands on my waist, on my chest, on my neck. I've missed the feel of her breasts pressed against my body.

"Mmmm me too," she murmurs.

"Liam and Louis want to order some pizzas, is that OK with you?" I ask, and she readily agrees.

I kiss her again and resist the urge to peel her top off. I don't want her thinking that's all this is about for me.

"I'm gonna take a shower," I whisper against her lips.

"OK," she whispers back softly, but she carries on kissing me and I have to steel myself to pull away before my dick starts running my life for me.

The hot water relaxes me, and when I'm finished I pull my hair up and grin at my reflection, knowing she likes this look and hoping it will have the reaction I want. I wrap my towel round my waist and walk back into the bedroom without looking at her. I can feel her eyes on me and I turn away to hide my grin and pull on some underwear. I pull my face into a serious expression and then turn back towards her, and I'm excited to see her jaw has dropped a little and she's staring at me with a blank look. She's dried her hair, I notice.

"Are you checking me out?" I grin, and I'm not prepared for her answer.

"I am always checking you out. I mean, just look at you."