The Mechanic

Chapter Thirty-one - "What Do You Want?" (R)

"The Mechanic"

Chapter Thirty-one

' What Do You Want? '

Scene...

Continuing

Demi's POV

As the sky began to darken, and Joe's family started to settle in scattered places, Joe and I pulled ourselves from our swaying. Slowly, he lifted his forehead from mine, and in time with him, I looked up into his hazel eyes.

"What is it?" I asked, lifting my eyebrows in concern. Joe couldn't seem to stop smiling as he looked at me, those eyes of his pouring heavily into my own.

"Are you tired?" He asked.

"No," I shook my head, removing my hand from his shoulder and bringing it to my side. "Why?"

He grinned down at the ground, lowering his voice into a deep whisper.

"Because we've been dancing for two hours."

Holy shit.

"I didn't even notice," I said, giggling.

"Neither did I." He blinked a few times, sighing through his laugh. "I want to show you something." Lowering our joined hands, Joe guided me off of the open floor and down the same hall his mother and I had walked down previously.

"Where are we going?"

"The kitchen," he replied simply. As we walked, I could hear Joe's family off in the distance, all in and out of bouts of laughter. I briefly caught a glance of Kevin and Danielle through a window we passed, just as she leaned in to give him a kiss. He held her so closely; caressed her so tenderly. They were so clearly in love, and he so passionately adored her.

Joe had once told me that'd I had never been 'properly loved'. And in looking at Kevin and Danielle right then, I knew he was right. There was a time that Wilmer loved me.

But it never looked like that.

As Joe and I entered the kitchen, he turned to face me, continuing his walk; but backward.

"Come here," he grinned, flirtatiously. "I have something for you."

I squinted at him suspiciously.

"What is it?" I asked slowly.

"A gift."

"On Christmas Eve?"

"Yes," he replied with a chuckle. "What, you don't trust me?"

"Of course I trust you," I laughed.

"Then, come here." He tugged my hand, pulling me so quickly to him, I'd nearly stumbled into his chest.

"Okay! I'm here!" I laughed, releasing his hand and smacking his chest a bit. "Now what?"

He leaned down, pressing his lips to my ear.

"Close your eyes," he smiled. Chills raced down my spine. Playfully, I made sure to roll my eyes first, but did as he asked. "Keep them closed," I heard him say, his voice suddenly further away.

"I will," I replied. I rocked back and forth from my heels to my toes, waiting giddily and patiently for my mechanic to make his way back to me. He was incredibly stealthy as he moved about; I hadn't heard him leave or return.

"Put out your hands," he said, closer to me again; laughter in his voice. "But don't peek."

"I won't!" I whined playfully as I brought out my palms before me. He placed what felt like a box into my hands, though it was much too large to fit into them properly. It also wobbled a bit; I'd nearly dropped it the second it hit my palms. I imagined Joe steadied it, as suddenly the wobbling ceased as he said,