Page 11 of Grade A Girl
Charlie
Fashion is my enemy. I don’t wear girly clothes on a day to day basis, and it feels unnatural to start now. I’ve straightened my long brown hair and have left it flowing down my back, and have paired it with an orange dress and a purple sweater. I tug at the skirt, trying to work a small wrinkle out of it. I opt for a pair of ballet flats because I don’t want to embarrass myself by tripping.
My stomach feels like a butterfly garden has taken up residence there. I can’t stop fidgeting as I look in the mirror again. I tuck my hair behind my ear and rub my palms over the material of the dress. I can’t stall any longer, so I grab my keys and head out, sliding into my driver’s seat. I pull up the address and study it for a few minutes. It’s on the other side of town and should take me about fifteen minutes to get there. I rest my head back against the headrest and take a few deep breaths.
What am I getting myself into?
I think back to the conversation with Jaxson. Is it possible they actually want this? I’ve known them both for a few days. It all seems like it’s moving too fast. I shake the thoughts from my head and focus on each man. I can see myself with either one of them... okay,bothof them. Jaxson is confident and outgoing, while Kade is reserved; but when they’re together, I see the spark. There is something about them together that sends a thrill down my spine.
I drive to my destination, still unsure whose house we are having dinner at, not concentrating on the directions because my GPS yells at me through the car speakers. My mind is too wrapped up thinking about each of them. Thinking about how it would feel to have their fingers and lips touching me. Would they take turns or take me together? I blush thinking about having sex with both of them.
Could I even handle them both?
I pull up to the cute cottage style house and cut the engine. I see Kade peek out from the window and know it’s too late to turn around. I gather my purse, smooth my dress, and walk up the steps. He’s at the door before I even have a chance to ring the bell, smiling down at me.
Kade is in a pair of fitted, navy pants and a light blue button-down with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He opted to wear his glasses, which just adds to the muscular geek look. And let me tell you, the look ishot!
“Damn,” I murmur. He smirks and clears his throat. My face heats up when I realize I said that out loud, and I snap my mouth shut.
“You look nice, Charlie. Come on in,” he says. His voice has a bit of a husky quality to it, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make my girl bits stand at attention.
Kade takes my purse and puts it in the hall closet while I walk into the living room. I lick my lips when I see Jaxson in the kitchen, his back to me. He’s wearing a pair of snug jeans and a white t-shirt, and his feet are bare.Why is it so sexy when a man is in the kitchen barefoot?I give a small gasp in surprise when Kade’s hand lands on my lower back, guiding me into the kitchen.
Jaxson looks over his shoulder, a huge smile on his face, and walks around the counter to place a gentle kiss on my cheek. “You look gorgeous. Glad you could come.”
“Thanks,” I say, touching my cheek where he kissed me.
“How about we get you something to drink, and then I can show you the house?”
“This is your house, Jaxson? I like it.” I look around at the cream-colored walls that have a littering of pictures and shelves with small trinkets.
“I wasn’t sure how you felt about dogs and thought Jaxson’s house would be better. We can cook at my house next time,” Kade says, scratching the back of his neck.
Next time.
A thrill runs through my body at the prospect that this could happen more than once. Kade seems so unsure of himself, it’s adorable. You would never guess this man had a shy bone in his body based upon his bulk and size.
I smile and place my hand on his cheek. “I’d like that.”
“Great, now that’s settled, let's get you a drink, and Kade can take over cooking while I show you around.”
“That’s good, I won’t last long on alcohol alone. I’m a cheap date as it is.”
“Hmm… a drunk Charlie. I might enjoy seeing that,” Jaxson teases. I tuck some hair behind my ear and look up at him through my lashes. I know what I’m like when I’m drunk, and let me tell you, I’mveryfriendly.
He leans close, glancing at Kade who’s watching us, then says, “I hope to see you a little drunk tonight. I imagine the three of us could have some fun.”
Wetness pools between my legs, so I shift my weight from one foot to the other. Jaxson hands me a glass of wine, and I swallow half of it before I ever take my eyes off him. He smirks and looks at Kade, who is wearing the same sort of expression on his face, then takes my hand for a tour.
Jaxson shows me room after room, all of them blending together as I focus on the heat emanating from his hand. When we make it to his bedroom, my heart jumps into my throat. Jaxson’s bed ishuge,and with the lack of food and half a glass of wine coursing through my body, my mind has wandered to all sorts of dirty places.
Jaxson takes that moment to look at me, interrupting my dirty thoughts. “Later. We need to talk first, explain everything.”
Kade is leaning against the wall just outside the bedroom and reaches out for my hand. Instead of letting me go, Jaxson takes my glass so I can place my other hand in Kade’s. It’s a comforting sort of feeling, having these large men surround me, touching me. Kade sits on the couch, and Jaxon hands me my glass back. Nerves are starting to set in as I bite some loose skin on my lower lip.
The men look over my head at one another, and when I glance at Jaxson, he motions for Kade to start. Kade looks down at our entwined fingers and takes a shaky breath. I try to give him a reassuring squeeze as I know this can’t be easy for him.
“I joined the Marines after my,” Kade sighs and corrects himself, “ourgirlfriend died because I didn’t want to live without her.” His voice is so soft I can barely hear him over the noise of my thumping heart.
Died.
He didn’t want to live without her.
I jerk my face up to meet his and stare wide-eyed at him, my mind reeling with questions. What the hell does someone say to something like that? I feel more and more like their romance was one ofRomeo and Juliet. Did he actuallywantto be killed over there? Does he still have these kinds of thoughts?
Wow. This just got heavy. I toss back the rest of my drink and hand it to Jaxson for a refill. I think I’m going to need a few more to make it through this entire story.