Page 45 of Knocked Up
“No. I think it’s the food trucks outside. All those smells.” Her nose scrunches up and she gags. “I can’t get away from it, even with my windows closed.”
I really, really like where this is going.
I pull back and smirk. “So what you’re doing here, is you want to ask me…” I let my voice trail off, arching my brows. I know exactly what she needs and it’s exactly what she doesn’t want to ask for.
Finally.Hook. Line. Sinker. I’ve got her right where I want her.
She pushes her bottom lip into a pout. “I’m wondering if I can still move in with you.” Her eyes jump to mine and she lifts her hands. “Just until I’m feeling better.”
“Sure.”
“Sure?”
“Of course you can.”
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“That I get you to myself twenty-four-seven? You’re absolutely right.”
She rolls her eyes. “I meant, you’re happy you’re finally getting me out of my crappy apartment.”
Damn skippy I am. I’m smart enough not to say it. “No, I’m happy I get to spend more time with you.”
Which is also true. I can’t get the girl out of my mind, and if I jack off to thoughts of her one more time I might finally rub my favorite body part raw, even with extra lube.
“Is that it?”
“No, Cara,” I sigh. Reaching out, I settle my hands on her hips. “I like you. I really liked that kiss you gave me when you saw me. I want more of them. A lot more of the kisses and a lot more of other things too, but you already know that. I like that you felt you could come to me for help, and yes, I’m glad you’re moving in with me—”
“Just until I’m feeling better.”
Not on her damn life is she moving back out once I have her.
“Okay,” I say, showing her I don’t believe a word she’s saying.
“Braxton—” she starts to say. I recognize the tone.
I don’t let her argue.
I seal her lips to mine and I kiss her rebuttal out of her. When we pull apart, we’re both more relaxed, both breathing heavy, and my dick is shoving against the zipper of my jeans, proving exactly how much wereallylike Cara Thompson.
—
“Do you have everything you need?” I scan the small studio apartment. It looks three times larger now that Cara’s scattered mess is neatly packed in suitcases and a few boxes. The only thing left to get to the car is her art supplies, but I’ll have to come back for them tomorrow. The car is full of her clothes and shoes and toiletries. I’ve insisted she take everything, because even while she’s protesting, only an act of God will get her moving back into this place.
“Yes, I think so.”
She looks so lost, one of her hands pressed to the window, and I feel a small pang of guilt at my earlier thought. This is her home, the place she wanted to move to prove to herself she could live on her own and follow her dreams. She’s told me all about it while we’ve been packing and I’ve been able to come up with two certainties.
One, she’s so damn brave, fighting for something she desperately wants and having no support outside Jenna to make it happen. She’s trying to live for Jimmy by living for herself and I admire the hell out of her for it.
Two, I really fucking despise her parents. They have this incredible daughter, and it sounds like she’s always been the forgotten one, pushed into a life she’s never wanted and never shown an ounce of tender care.
I almost feel like a prick for being excited about her living with me, but not a full one, because I plan on being so good to her she’ll never want to move out.
“Cara.” I drop my voice, trying to sound patient and soothing, but mostly I’m in a hurry to get the hell out of here. “We should get going. You need some food.”
She drops her hand from the window, shaking her head, and when she turns to me, her lips are lifted into a shy smile. “Of course. Thank you again.”
