Young Love Dies Hard: The Young Brothers, Book 1 by Nikki Lane (old books to read txt) 📗

engulfed in the feeling of the kiss and the taste of his mouth that I’d almost forgotten we were in a public place.

“Is this what you do when you come to the library?” I asked. “No wonder you’re here all the time.”

Jacob’s hand continued up. “I’m here all the time because you’re too much of a distraction. It’s too hard to concentrate on studying when I’m around you.” His fingers grazed my collarbone, and he tugged down the tight sleeve of my leotard.

“It’s not my fault you’re so easily distracted.”

My mouth parted as his lips worked their way back down my neck and along my exposed shoulder.

“Can you blame me?” he said in between pecks.

My eyes flickered around the area, waiting for someone to come upon us. It sent a rush of adrenaline through my veins, exciting my heart.

“Can I take you home?” he whispered into my ear.

He pulled his head back to assess my reaction. His eyes were deep pools of honey, boding no intention of stopping once we got back to the apartment.

I nodded and let him lead me back to our table. Jacob wasted no time in collecting his things into his backpack. He slipped on his coat, and I did the same, realizing I’d forgotten it during my first escape attempt. That would’ve been a shitty walk home. He reached for my hand, and we walked back to the apartment together. Or rather Jacob pulled me home. As soon as we made it inside, we both dropped our bags, and Jacob’s lips met mine again. He held each side of my face with his hands, one of his thumbs caressing my cheek. We stood in the living room with our lips pressed together, eyes closed.

Jacob pulled back just a hair. “When can we go out on our date?” His lips found their way down my neck again, and it was making it hard to pinpoint an answer.

“Whenever.”

He started to undo the large buttons of my jacket. “How’s tomorrow night?”

I raised my eyebrows.

“Too soon?” he asked, getting to the last button.

“Well, being as though you’re attempting to undress me…I guess not.”

He smirked as we both shrugged off our jackets and tossed them on the couch. He grabbed my hand and interwove his fingers with mine. He brought them to his lips and kissed each one.

“So, tomorrow night. Seven o’clock?”

I nodded, wishing for the undressing to happen more quickly. It was impossible to ignore this ache I felt for him. And his teasing wasn’t making anything any easier.

I wrapped my free hand around his neck and brought him close to crush my lips on his. He released my other hand and wrapped his arms around my waist. Our tongues met and slid together. A shiver ran through me when I remembered just how good he was with his mouth. I lost all sense of hesitation and reached for the button of his pants. But something stopped me. His hand.

I pulled back, my lips wet from his kiss. “What’s the matter,” I asked.

“Nothing,” he said with a sympathetic tone. “I just think we should wait.”

I scoffed. “You’re kidding, right?” He had to be fucking kidding.

It was so ironic I almost laughed. Wait for what?

“It’s okay, Jacob. Really.”

I went for his button again but he held on to my hand.

“I just don’t want you to think that’s all I want our relationship to be.”

Relationship. Oh, shit. There was that word. My stomach twisted into a knot. He squinted his eyes, but a small smile tugged at the end of his mouth. A very small smile.

“You mean more to me than that, Maeve. This is about more than just sex to me.”

And that was my cue. I broke all contact.

“I’m going to take a shower,” I said, turning my back to him.

“Maeve, wait.” He let out a deep breath.

“You’ve made your point. It’s fine.” I gave a little wave of my hand to be extra convincing.

He walked in front of me, blocking my way to the bathroom. “Watch a movie with me.”

I sighed and set my hands on my hips. “I’m tired.”

“Please?” His eyes pleaded with me.

“Fine.” He stepped out of the way, and I locked myself in the bathroom, trying to understand how the first guy to ever reject me could be Jacob.

Chapter Sixteen

I stood in front of my teeny closet, still wrapped in a towel, trying to decide what to wear for my first date. God, that sounded so lame. Jacob was patiently waiting in the next room. I’d showered, did my hair and makeup, but couldn’t narrow down an outfit. Why was I thinking about this so hard? I’d managed to dress myself since I was four without a second thought.

I shuffled through the hangers, bypassing the usual shirt and jean combos I wore. Hanging in the darkest corner of the closet was the dress I’d bought on clearance a million years ago but never had a chance to wear. It was too pretty to put back on the rack, so I’d bought it, hoping I’d have a reason to wear it one day.

It looked like that day had finally come.

I released the dress from the hanger and slid it on. I found the only pair of heels that weren’t for work still in the shoe box and slid them on, too.

Now there weren’t any more reasons to stay in this room. I was dressed. I was ready. I just had to work up the nerve to meet Jacob in the living room.

Any minute now.

A couple more deep breaths.

Okay.

One more deep breath.

For real this time.

I creaked open the bedroom and stepped into the living room. Jacob bolted up from the couch, his eyes wide.

“Wow.”

He cleared his throat while I tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear.

“You look amazing.”

When I finally had the courage to look at him, a new wave of heat flashed over my face. His dark hair was combed back, and he’d dressed up, too. As far as picking someone to go