Jericho ~ Past
I HADN’T MEANT TO ASK her out.
I had a strict no dating policy. I was there to learn, get my degree, and get out. My only goals: building the restaurant of my dreams, owning a place of my own, and connecting with people who I could truly count on.
I hooked up with girls, sure, I was a college junior after all, and I hung out with my buddies, went to parties . . . experienced college the way it should be experienced, but I never went too far. I was always in control and cognizant of my goals.
Then this tiny brunette, clutching her backpack like a lifeline, bumped into me and refused to meet my eyes.
I thought she was naïve, delicate, adorable, and utterly irresistible.
I didn’t know why, but I wasn’t ready to let her walk past me and ignore me for the rest of the semester, so I left all of my belongings in the seat at the end of the last row and walked towards her until she bumped into me, then I maneuvered it so that we were sitting next to each other.
I found the way she laid out her school supplies just so totally charming, and her scent threatened my senses, so I knew I had to do something un-Jericho like and ask her out. No way this girl would be up for a night of just fooling around, hell no, she’d run fast in the other direction at the mere thought.
No, if I wanted to get to know this girl, and I did, I had to make an exception to my rule. I figured grabbing a cup at Coffee Time would be harmless enough, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
One cup of coffee and a little conversation, and I was a goner.
Natasha was sweet, funny, intelligent, and just as goal-oriented as I was. We talked about our upbringings, which couldn’t have been more different, our families, and our futures. After the third cup of coffee, we switched to water, then decided to stop at the fast food joint next door for dinner.
If I had my way, I would have taken her back to my apartment and kept her there for eternity. Alas, she said she had to go back to the dorms and study, but promised to meet me again soon.
Which was why I was standing outside of her dorm like an idiot, holding a cup of coffee and a muffin.
I heard her before I saw her, her laugh causing the hair on my arms to stand up and my heart to gallop in anticipation.
There was a brief second where I worried that I was nearing stalker territory, then Natasha’s head lifted and her gaze met mine, and her smile lit up my world. I watched as she said something to the girl she was with, then broke off and walked toward me.
“Hey,” she said, somewhat breathless.
“Morning,” I managed roughly, my face splitting in an unavoidable grin. “Breakfast?” I asked, holding up the coffee and muffin.
“That’s sweet, thanks,” Natasha said shyly, accepting the gifts from my hands.
“Can I walk you to class?” I asked.
“Sure.”
“Would you like to go to dinner tonight?” I asked, unable to play it cool and wait. I knew what I wanted, so I damn well was going to ask for it. I’d lived too much of my life settling for less. Not this time.
Her cheeks flushed with pleasure.
“Yes,” she replied. “Where? When?”
“I can swing by and pick you up at six,” I said, then asked, “Do you like Italian?”
Natasha smiled. “Love it.”
“Great, so, Italian tonight, and maybe Mexican tomorrow?” I suggested.
Natasha laughed. It was a beautiful, welcoming sound that I wanted to hear time and time again.
“Tomorrow?” she asked.
“Yeah, then Chinese on Thursday, Thai on Friday, and pizza on Saturday. Sunday, we can grill burgers, or hot dogs, if you like . . .”
Natasha laughed again.
“You’ve got the whole week planned out,” she said with a smile.
“You can plan next week,” I offered.
“That sounds like a lot of money. Maybe we should cook a couple meals at home, or eat at the cafeteria,” Natasha suggested, and my heart soared.
She hadn’t laughed at me, or looked at me like I was a creepy stalker. Instead, she seemed to be on board. I wondered if she felt the pull that I did, if she wanted to be with me as much as I wanted to be with her.
“Whatever you choose,” I replied honestly. I’d eat a year of cafeteria food if it meant eating my meals with her.
“Hmmm, I’ll have to think about it, but for starters, yeah . . . Italian tonight, and Mexican tomorrow.”
I hadn’t kissed her yesterday, the timing hadn’t felt right, and I didn’t want to pressure her, but right then, in that courtyard, it felt like I had to kiss her. So, I stopped walking, and she did too, and when she turned to me, I placed my hands on her face, cupped it softly, and ran my thumb over her cheek.
“You’re so beautiful,” I murmured, taking in her flushed cheeks and sparkling hazel eyes, then I lowered my face toward hers, keeping my eyes open so I could watch as her pupils dilated. Her gasp hit my lips as she parted hers, and I brushed against them softly, before tilting my head slightly and deepening the kiss.
We kissed until we were lightheaded and feeling just a bit reckless, then I pulled back with a smile and chuckled when I saw her arms outstretched as she held onto the coffee and muffin so they wouldn’t get crushed between us.
“Ready?” I asked, biting back a groan when she licked her lips and nodded in response.
I knew that she would be the death of me, and that I was really, really, going to enjoy the ride.