I frowned. “No, that’s not right. They’re more than that. They’re family.”
“The Pierces sound like good people.” If he felt any animosity toward the Pierce name because of Chandler, he didn’t let on.
“They are good people.” Another bottle rocket went off in my stomach, a shriek of guilt and confusion regarding Hudson’s brother.
But it was gone quickly, pushed aside by the jolt of want that soared through my body when JC nudged his knee against my arm. “Your turn,” he said, as if he had no idea that my whole side was singing from the nearness of him.
I lifted my head and feigned indignation. “Did you just bump me with your knee?”
The last time we’d played this game, we’d been naked in a bath together. Sex had followed. This time JC had made rules to keep in line with the rest of our date—no touching and nothing serious. It had been a sweet gesture on his part, showing that, even if he didn’t agree with the path I wanted to take with our relationship, he at least understood.
“Purely accidental.” His smirk said otherwise.
“Uh huh.” I settled my head back down so he wouldn’t see the smile I was having trouble hiding. “Are you still living in Los Angeles?” When we’d been together, he’d been living across the country, flying into New York for work a few days of the week.
“I’m not really living anywhere right now. My L.A. home has been sold and most of my stuff is in storage. For the last year, I’ve been in Michigan. Union Pier.”
Union Pier, Michigan. Of all the places I’d tried to imagine him, that had not been one of them. “I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s an hour or so outside of Chicago.” How many miles had that been from me? Two hours by plane? Three? “It’s a really small town by the lake. Absolutely nothing to do. You have to drive to another time zone to go to a bookstore or see a movie.”
“Were you bored there?” As unhelpful as they’d been, at least I’d had things to distract me from missing him. Work. Family. Chandler.
“I had a piano, thankfully. And I had a lot of time to think.”
I pulled his jacket tighter around me. “About what?”
He paused, then said, “No way am I answering that. You’ve had three questions in a row.” Though I suspected his reasons for not responding were because it would venture into serious territory. “Since when did you become a rule breaker?”
“Since you.” That was maybe verging into off-limits grounds as well, but my desire to move that direction was beginning to outweigh my need to stay in the safe zone.
And it was true. Before him, I’d followed rules to the letter of the law. While I’d never lost that instinct completely, JC had taught me how to give up control. Give it up and give it to him. Could I get there again? Did I want to?
I thought I did. I just wasn’t sure anymore how to let him.
“Yeah, yeah. Blame it on me. Now hush up. It’s my turn. I have a really important question too. Have you ever made out in a park?”
I laughed. “Seriously?” So far, the bulk of what he’d asked had been like this—playful and sexual in nature. Have you ever had a crush on a teacher? What celebrity would you not kick out of your bed? Who was your first kiss? If his line of questioning was any indication, he was as consumed with longing as I was.
“Seriously. I need to know.”
I want to make out with you now.
I wanted to say it. Every inch of me twitched with need for him.
But I was still scared. “Yes,” I answered, knowing that would torture him into asking for an elaboration. Then I’d tell him about the Truth or Dare game I’d played with some neighborhood kids one summer night when I was fourteen. It was sloppy and silly, the boy getting so worked up he’d creamed in his pants after I’d let him touch my breasts—over my shirt, even.
But JC liked to keep me on my toes. “Hmm. Your turn then.”
I propped myself up on my elbows. “That’s all? No follow up?”
“That was all I needed to know.” He mirrored my position. “Besides, we get only one question a round. I’m not a cheater.”
I scowled. “No, you’re a jerk.”
“Hey. No need for name-calling. I’m just playing by the rules.” He was so enticing at that moment. So tempting. My eyes narrowed in on his lips, and I wondered if his kiss was still as demanding as I remembered.
If I let myself find out, it could ruin this ease we’d established. This was simple. This was good.
He was studying me too, I noticed. His gaze hot, even in the dark. My heart pounded against the walls of my chest, and I felt like a mouse, and he the cat about to pounce.