Page 18

CHAPTER 18

Penn

I stared at myself in my bathroom mirror.

I’d mulled over my appearance, my outfit for the last twenty minutes, and time was dwindling down. Mitchell had offered to pick me up at my house, probably to give us both time to get ready after being in the bakery all day, but I’d spent the last half hour fussing over what to wear and if I could really do this.

It’s just a date, you’ve been on plenty of them .

He asked you out, you have nothing to worry about.

Just be cool.

The text on my phone chimed, and I checked it immediately.

Here.

Shit!

He was here!

I let out a deep breath, slicking my hand through my hair one final time, and hoped that things would go smoothly.

It’s just hanging out, having dinner.

We did that the other night, while working and everything was fine.

Well, until I ended up kissing him like some swoon-worthy damsel in distress.

But if I was being honest, I liked kissing Mitchell.

I wasn’t sure if it was him and his suave, smooth air, or if it was just the newness of kissing someone of the same sex, but either way, I couldn’t deny that it did something for me.

In a way kissing Amy or my exes never did.

Who gets turned on from a kiss?

Me, apparently, because just the thought of kissing Mitchell was enough to get me off after I’d gotten home that night.

I pushed the thoughts from my brain, if only because I didn’t want to keep my date waiting.

I grabbed my wallet, slid it in my pocket along with my cell phone, and was out the door.

“Where are you off to?” my father asked, peering over his newspaper.

I stopped dead in my tracks. I hadn’t said anything outright to my parents, mostly because I was still in the coming home phase where we hadn’t really set boundaries yet, but I was also twenty-three years old. I didn’t need my parents’ permission to do anything.

But still, it felt weird. Like somehow, some way, they just had parental radar that told them “he’s going on a date with a guy!”

I swallowed nervously, turning to face him.

“I’m, uh, just hanging out with Mitchell.”

“The photographer?” My dad raised his eyebrow.

I nodded. “Yeah, we’re, uh, going to grab a bite to eat. I’ll be home late, so don’t wait up.”

My dad twisted his lips, and I thought he was going to throw a monkey wrench into my evening, call me out or something.

But he only said, “It’s nice to see you making friends, Penn. Have fun.”

Friends.

Why did that word cut me to the core like a ceramic knife?

I didn’t have time to process such things, so I just nodded and headed out the door to see Mitchell leaning against his car, looking absolutely smokin’.

His dark hair was gelled back in his usual appearance, and I noted he’d expertly trimmed his facial hair, which made the dark color stand out all the more pronounced against his tanned skin.

He was wearing another one of his flashy shirts, this one bright pink with neon palm trees and aqua inner tubes. Coupled with his black ripped jeans, he looked like Surfer Ken, if Surfer Ken shopped at Hot Topic.

I looked at him, feeling more out of my league than ever.

Especially in my dark wash jeans, my black converse, and a nice pale blue polo.

God, I am such a freaking dork!

I knew I should have worn a button down!

Mitchell’s gaze roved over me from head to toe and back again, meeting mine.

“Well, aren’t you as pretty as a picture,” he said, flashing me a grin as he walked around to open my door.

Instantly, his words caused my blood to rush to my cheeks, but I didn’t turn away.

“Thanks,” I said with a soft smile, trying to ease my own nerves.

When I was buckled in, and Mitchell had started the car, I realized I was shaking with nerves. I only hoped he couldn’t tell.

“So, what did you have in mind tonight?” I asked as he pulled out of the driveway.

“If I told you, I’d have to kill you,” he retorted, his voice thick with sarcasm.

I leaned back in the passenger seat, taking a look at his profile.

His pronounced jawline, his sleek, shiny hair .

The fine hair he’d trimmed along said perfect jawline. His skin looked so smooth, and I felt an innate desire to run my fingertips along the freshly shaved surface.

God, he was so fucking hot.

Yup, totally out of my league here.

“I think I already died, so what’s the difference,” I mewled, trying to quiet my twitching cock.

A startling thought coursed through me as I adjusted myself.

What if...

What if Mitchell, like, expects certain things...

I wasn’t the type to fuck around on a first date in general; usually, I waited until I at least had some inkling the other person wasn’t going to run off immediately.

But just the thought of touching someone else’s dick made me feel rather conflicted.

The thought of touching Mitchell’s dick, however...

My cock twitched once again, and I felt a stray sweat break out.

Think unsexy thoughts!

“You okay, Cream Puff?” Mitchell asked, pulling me from my momentary lapse of sanity.

I crossed my legs, squeezing my cock between my thighs to try and break the spell of desire that had managed to infiltrate my walls.

“Yeah, totally fine. Everything’s fine.”

Mitchell took a quick side-glance at me.

“You don’t have to be nervous, you know. This doesn’t have to be a date. It can be whatever you want it to be.”

I looked at him, thinking about Archie’s words.

I swallowed harshly as I nodded.

“I agreed to a date. It’s a... date.”

Mitchell smiled. “Fair enough.”

The rest of the way to our location—which happened to be an outdoor food festival in the city—wasn’t as awkward. Then again, when you’re listening to the radio and singing carpool karaoke, I suppose it lets off some steam.

I pulled my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them as Mitchell disposed of our food.

The park was packed with food trucks lining the streets, but there was ample greenery to sit on and watch the fireworks show Mitchell had mentioned was tonight.

To be honest, I was having a good time. Sharing food, kicking back with a beer, and listening to the bands who were playing was more fun than I thought it would be, and a rather nice surprise.

I’d just set my beer down when Mitchell returned.

The sun had gone down, the sky painted shades of orange sherbet and cotton candy pink with hints of pale blue, and set against its backdrop, Mitchell looked absolutely beautiful.

He was handsome, sure, but his features were dark and stunning.

And I realized at that moment, I didn’t just like Mitchell DeVille.

I realized I was falling in love with him.

“You ready for some fireworks?” he asked, raising his brow.

I nodded, at a loss for words as the reality hit me. “Uh huh.”

His eyebrows furrowed, his arm brushing against mine.

I gazed into his dark eyes and felt like I was treading water in a vast, dark sea .

But I had a feeling that Mitchell would not let me drown.

His gaze dipped to where our arms touched, and I could see he was holding back.

“Are you nervous?” I asked.

Mitchell shrugged. “I told you, you’re the one running the show this evening,” he said softly.

I chewed my bottom lip.

“I don’t want you to hold back because of me,” I said, feeling slightly upset that he would even think to do such a thing.

Mitchell’s gaze flashed to mine. “I just don’t want you to feel like I’m pushing you.”

“Because you like me?” It wasn’t a question as much as a statement, but when I said the words, I could see the way his entire body relaxed.

“Yeah, Cream Puff. I like you. A lot, actually.”

I turned toward him, angling my body closer. I could feel the warmth between us, a cozy fire of our own making.

Archie’s words reverberated in my brain. The question I’d been afraid to answer before, wasn’t as scary now when I looked at Mitchell.

Instinctively, I reached out, letting my fingertips feel the smoothness of his freshly shaved skin. I’d been dying to touch it all evening. The smoothness beneath my fingers was warm and it felt... right.

He felt right.

“I like you too. A lot,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

I watched as Mitchell closed his eyes, rubbing his cheek against my palm, some of his coarse facial hair scratching my skin.

It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling at all, and I found myself wanting to run my fingers over the rough texture lining his jaw.

Wanting to run my fingertips over his lips, into his hair...

I didn’t think twice about pulling him to me, about kissing him.

Mitchell groaned in my mouth as my lips moved slowly against his, and I let go just as the first boom hit the sky, echoing above us.

When I broke away, I could see the sun had disappeared, dusk taking over and changing the world into something different, something new.

And when I looked in Mitchell’s dark eyes, I could see the sparkle like a northern star as the fireworks crackled behind him.

He slid his hand over my neck, his fingers playing with the edges of my hair at the nape of my neck as he pulled me in for another searing kiss.

This...

This is what love is supposed to feel like.

And as we made out underneath the fireworks, I came alive for the very first time.