Free Jayson: A New Adult / Coming of Age Romance by Nicole Hughes Page B

intake of air. She blindly clutches at Grace’s hand, freezing up like a deer in the headlights as I approach, but Grace beams. “Jayson?” she squeals. “What a pleasant surprise! Kit was just talking about you!”
    Kit jabs her with an elbow to the ribcage, and I hide a smile.
    “Is that so? How bad was it? I can take the truth.”
    With a mischievous grin, Grace peeks at Kit. “Well, she said—.”
    “That you’re doing a great job on the house!” Kit blurts with an insincere laugh. I can’t take my eyes off her. The glittery blue stuff on her eyes sets off her mesmerizing gaze, and her pouty lips are an inviting shade of soft pink. Suddenly being out at the club doesn’t feel so much like an obligation. I reach for her hand involuntarily, unable to keep from feeling her. Our eyes roam over each other. Just as earlier in the day when she had stopped by the house and I had shown her the wallpaper, her interest is obvious, but whether or not she’ll act on it is up for grabs. When our fingers connect, she doesn’t pull away, however.
    “What are you ladies drinking?” I ask, motioning for the bartender.
    “Um, I don’t drink. I just want a soda,” Kit says. I’m not sure I believe her. All university girls drink. I glance at Grace, who asks for a lightweight mixed drink I happen to know has a very low alcohol content. For whatever reason, the fact Kit and her friend don’t seem to be alcoholics in training like too many other women their age pleases me.
    As soon as the drinks arrive, Grace turns to Kit. “So, it looks like you’ve got someone to keep you busy for a while. Mind if I hit the dance floor for a bit?”
    “Why, yes, I’d love to dance with you. Hi, I’m Jayson’s younger brother, Castiel.” Castiel steps up next to Grace, appearing out of nowhere as usual. Grace’s eyes round with pleasure as her eyes flit from him to me.
    “Well, hello there, Castiel! I’m Kit’s best friend, Grace.”
    Kit couldn’t keep her there if she tried as my brother whisks Grace off to vibe on the dance floor to the hypnotic beat blasting from the speakers, leaving Kit to stare blankly after them. “Okay, what just happened?” she asks me with a bemused bark of laughter.
    I chuckle along with her. “That’s called the Zephyr effect. It was maybe an F4, by the looks of it. I’m sorry he took your friend away from you, but I’d love to keep you company in her absence.”
    She sips her soda and eyes me, grinning. “I guess I can put up with you.”
    “You come here often?” I lean against the bar, standing close to her. Our arms touch. She doesn’t move away from me; she steps closer, in fact.
    Shaking her head, she responds, “No, I almost never go out like this. My mom…I mean, I try to focus on my academics as much as possible. I’m on an accelerated track to graduate from college early. It just so happens I was, uh, supposed to go straight home since I didn’t have to work tonight, but I fibbed a little and told my mom I’d be at the job.”
    “Your mom keeps a tight rein on you, huh?” I try not to pry, but I can’t imagine being so hampered by a parent. I can’t quite understand why she doesn’t balk at being controlled like that, but it’s none of my business and I don’t want to piss her off again by saying too much about it.
    “I don’t have a curfew or anything. She has expectations I like to live up to, that’s all. I guess you could say I’m a perfectionist,” she says with pride.
    I nod, seeing perfectionist written all over her. That, and sexy. Sexy perfectionist. I suddenly get a vivid mental image about what that would translate to in the bedroom, and the arousal comes on strong and unbidden. I shift positions, clearing my throat. “Yeah, I’m what most would call a workaholic, myself. I don’t usually come to places like this either, but my brothers wanted to hang out tonight.”
    “So, how many Zephyr Brothers are there?”
    “Well, there’s Castiel. I