Clockwork Daisy

Chapter 21

Ellie 

Chapter 21

I pulled away. 

Even though I really, really, didn't want to. 

"What are we doing?" I asked, smoothing my ruffled hair. 

Jesse looked offened, of all things. "I thought we were getting along nicely." His expression softened, and he smiled at me. 

I gave him a tight grin back. "I don't know you. You don't know me. We don't know each other." 

"Oh, I thought I introduced myself earlier." Jesse stuck out his hand. "I'm Jesse Montgomery."

I batted it away playfully, slightly rolling my eyes. "Seriously, Jesse."

Jesse sighed. "You felt something, no?"

"Excuse me?" 

"When we were kissing." Jesse clarified. "There's something between us."

"Maybe, yeah." I tried not to look him in the eye. 

"Maybe?" Jesse searched for my gaze. "That's all I get?"

"The kissing was...nice." I explained. "Great, even. But I want to know you before we do that again. Isn't that what this dinner party is supposed to be about?"

"You're right." Jesse said, pawing at my hand. 

"I know." I grinned. 

"Jesse?" We could hear Lawrence call from downstairs. "Time to go, son!"

We stood at the same time, never taking our eyes off each other. "It was nice to meet you." I said, opening my bedroom door for him.

He immediatley slid it shut again. "My favorite color is orange." He pushed me against the door and gave me one last, lingering kiss. 

"What was that?" I asked as he turned the doorknob.

"You said you wanted to get to know me." He smiled slyly. "There's the start." 

And just like that, the Montgomerys were gone. 

When my alarm clock woke me up on Monday, I was still reeling from Friday night. I could still feel Jesse's warm lips against mine and the way he tugged at my hair. I was a young girl without a care in the world. Then, as I tugged on my favorite pair of black skinny jeans, I remembered. 

Deacon. 

I could feel my heart drop to the floor, and I wanted the rest of my body to follow suit. What had I done? I'd promised Deacon a date, and then I went and macked with a boy I knew next to nothing about, except that he rode a motorcycle and perfectly toussled hair....STOP IT! I didn't have time to dwell on Jesse Montgomery. I had backed myself into a sticky situation, and there was only one person who I knew could help me. 

Beth Mallard.