I don’t look back for Maggie and Zane. I don’t stop at all, just keep a tight hold on Berklee in the crowd as we push through to my truck. Once we’re there, I press her against the side and claim her mouth with mine. There was no other option; I had to kiss her, taste her, have her in my arms. Even if it’s just for a minute.
It’s dark out and due to my speed walking, we’ve beaten the majority of the crowd. That’s my guess as to why she opens for me, her tongue seeking mine. A wolf whistle along with a loud “Get it” has me chuckling and pulling my lips from hers. I can imagine her face is flushed, and I’m almost glad it’s dark out and that I can’t see it. Not sure I would be able to step back if I could.
I pull open the driver’s door and Berklee slides in across the seat, stopping in the middle. Good girl. Taking my spot behind the wheel, hand on her thigh, I drive us across the street to the pizza place. We could have walked, should have walked, but no fucking way am I going to pass up having her with me like this. Just us.
We take our seats at the table, same as a few weeks ago. The spot at the end is reserved for the star of tonight’s festivities, Barry. I know the minute he walks in because the room erupts in cheers, and Maggie and Berklee are jumping out of their chairs to rush him and give him a hug. It’s an odd group hug thing and the three of them laugh like it’s the funniest thing to happen in their lives. Me, not so much. I’m watching his arm as it snakes around my girl, the kiss he places on the top of her head. Yeah, he mimics the action with his sister, but my Berklee, she’s not his sister.
I don’t know what the fuck my issue is. What I do know is that she’s unexpected and refreshing and mine.
Dinner goes smoothly and we’re now saying our goodbyes.
“You just want to ride with us?” Maggie asks Berklee.
Fuck me. “I actually have a few things to talk to you about before Monday,” I tell Berklee.
“Okay. We’ll be right behind you,” she tells Maggie and Barry, who are both watching us closely.
“I’m out, peeps,” Zane says, laying a hand on my shoulder.
“Be safe,” Maggie and Berklee respond at the same time.
“Always.” He waves and heads toward the door.
“Ready, Mags?” Barry asks. “I need a shower,” he complains.
Berklee laughs. “I didn’t want to say anything.”
“Listen, you.” He reaches out and tickles her side. She yelps with laughter.
“I mean, she just said what we were all thinking,” Maggie chimes in. Barry goes after her next.
As soon as he drops his hand from Berklee, I put my arm around her and pull her in to me, so close that there’s no way anyone would not think we’re together. It’s to show the fucker that she’s mine, and also to keep from strangling him for touching her. Berklee, still wearing a huge grin, looks up at me. Her eyes are sparkling. I’m expecting her to rip me a new one for pretty much claiming her, but she doesn’t. To my amazement she wraps her arm around my waist and rests her head on my chest.
Bending down, I place a kiss on top of her head. “Ready?”
When she looks up again, those blue eyes captivate me. “Yeah.” She turns back to her friends. “We’re heading home. See you all there.”
I nod as a way of saying goodbye, not willing to let go of her. I keep her close all the way to the truck. She knows the drill by now, so when I open the door, she slides into the middle of the seat and waits for me to take my spot behind the wheel. I start the truck and get the heater going, then turn to her, cupping her face in my hands.
“W-what did you need to tell me?” she asks, her voice a whisper.
“This.” I lean in and kiss her slowly, trying to show her that things have changed for me. That I want all of her, every minute of every day. I caress her cheeks with the pads of my thumbs while my lips softly take hers. She grips my wrists but doesn’t try to pull me away from her. No, it’s like she’s holding on for the ride.
My tongue traces her lips. “Crew.” It’s almost like a plea—for what, I’m not sure. Loud voices and laughter from the car next to us have me reluctantly pulling away from her. I rest my forehead against hers.
“I guess we should go,” she whispers against my skin.
“Yeah, beautiful. Let’s get you home.” With a quick kiss to her lips, one final taste, I turn around and adjust my cock in my jeans. Berklee surprises me when her hand rests on my thigh, her head on my shoulder. She came to me. Finally, I feel like I’m getting somewhere with her. As soon as I get on the road, my hand is on her thigh too. I can’t not touch her when she’s near. It’s almost like it calms me to touch her, to know she’s right here.
I pull into her drive and cut the lights, but don’t move to turn off the truck or pull away from her. Instead, I put my arm around her and she snuggles closer, burrowing into my chest. I’ll sit here all fucking night if she’ll let me.
“I guess I need to go inside,” she finally says.
“Nah, we’re good right here.”
She chuckles softly. “All night?”
“All fucking weekend if we stay right like this.” I kiss the top of her head.
This causes her to pull away and look up at me. “What are we doing, Crew?”
Reaching out, I tuck a stray curl behind her ear. “Falling,” I whisper. The word just falls from my lips without thought.
“That wasn’t the plan.”
“Plans change, beautiful.”
She starts to speak, but Barry and Maggie pull into the drive, so she sits up and pulls away. “I’ll see you Monday,” she says, sliding toward her door. Before I can stop her, Barry is there opening it for her. I grip the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white. I don’t want to fucking leave her, and it makes it worse to know he’s here with her and I’m not. “Night,” she says with a small wave before closing the door.
Fuck this. I hop out of the truck. “Berklee!” She stops and turns. “You forgot something,” I say, not quite as loud, and it works. She heads toward me while Barry and Maggie head inside.
“What did I forget?” she asks, looking down at my hands.
“This.” One hand on her hip, the other on the back of her neck, I pull her in to me and kiss her. I put all the desperation I feel into the kiss, my grip on her hip tight. I hold her to me, my hand under those beautiful curls, caressing the soft skin of her neck. I steal her breath as it mingles with mine.
Her hands on my chest, pushing back, has me slowing the kiss but not letting her go.
“Wow,” she murmurs.
“Sweet dreams, beautiful.” I kiss her one more time, just a simple taste of her lips before I reluctantly let her go.
“Night.” She looks up at me wearing a dazed smile.
Leaning in, I give her yet one more kiss. “Night.” I release my hold on her and watch until she’s in the house before getting back in my truck and driving away without her.