A Beautiful Instrument

5: New Plan

I've just invited Jeremy to stay the night at my place. Aside from our almost kiss and some flirty "accidental," purposeful contact, I have greatly upped the ante. He looks torn, probably trying to figure out if it's a sincere offer or the alcohol talking.

He proceeds cautiously, rubbing his stubbly chin. "Um, Leigh, don't take this the wrong way, but I don't want to rush this with you. I'm not looking for a fling, especially since we're now colleagues."

I try to laugh it off. "Oh, I meant for you to sleep on the futon in my room. Oh my, did you think I just offered myself up to you on the first date?! I mean I'm definitely rusty, but I'm not needy." Right?

"Leigh, this isn't a first date." I feel my stomach drop. Oh no. I made an assumption and he was just being nice to a new colleague. I'm starting to freak out internally, but then he reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, tenderly. "But I'd like to ask now if I can take you out tomorrow as a first date? Maybe brunch?"

I start breathing again, but my breath catches as his hand trails down my jaw and cups my face. He looks into my eyes, waiting on my answer. I swallow hard. "I would love to. So no to the futon tonight?"

He laughs and shakes his head. He licks his lips and my eyes linger there. He leans in so his mouth is next to my ear and whispers. "I don't think I could continue being a gentleman if I got you alone in your bedroom."

I sigh lightly. At that moment, he tips my chin up and ever so gently catches my parted lips with his. He pulls back before I greedily deepen the kiss. That little teaser did nothing but intensify my desire for him.

"Don't mistake me, Leigh. I want you, but I want us to pace ourselves." As we get into the car, our subtle touching becomes more intentional, at least my tipsy ass is being more purposeful. I want to get under his skin.

As I sit next to him in the passenger seat of my own car, I slowly run my hands up and down my thighs, revealing a bit more of the delicate skin underneath my skirt each time. His eyes flit from the road twice, before he takes my hand, lacing his fingers with mine.

His hand is large and warm. I first think of him using his hands playing his instrument earlier this evening and then I start to imagine those hands exploring me. Between the two mental images, I realize just how amped up I am. I squirm in my seat, pressing my thighs together.

We pull up to my apartment and I roll my head to look at him, giving him my best bedroom eyes. He laughs and rubs his chin with his free hand.

I observe. "You do that when I'm making you nervous."

"Let's just say you're making it very hard to resist you." He responds.

"Then don't." I pounce across the console and push my lips to his abruptly. He tenses at first and then relaxes. His arms encircle me and I cup his face with both my hands. It's a more certain kiss than earlier, but I still want more. I start to press my tongue along the line of his lips.

His hand comes up to my face and he breaks the kiss, both of us breathing heavy. "Trust me. It'll be worth the wait if we take our time. Now, can I help you upstairs?"

I can't help but to feel a bit rejected. Why does he keep pumping the brakes? At that moment, I just want out of the car. I push off from him, get out, and start hurriedly pulling my instrument out of the car.

I talk loudly through the backseat so he can hear me. "Thank you for taking me out for that celebratory drink. I'm sure you'll be a great colleague, if nothing else. No need for brunch tomorrow. It's obvious this isn't what you want so you don't have to go through the motions just to preserve our working relationship."