Part 9 (1/2)

The first place Josh took me was the movie theater which was okay with me. It would provide a couple of hours where I didn't have to say anything coherent. It was hard being witty all the time. It was exhausting actually to have to think of every little thing that came out of my mouth.

Josh wanted to see some raunchy teen comedy, with too much s.e.x, drug and alcohol usage, and wall to wall f-bombs. I agreed, although I wasn't too thrilled to see it. I'd rather have seen the newest horror flick. By the end of the movie though, after the popcorn, pop, candy, and an hour and a half of belly-busting laughter, I was enjoying myself.

Back in the car, I tried to relax more. Josh was just a guy. And he'd shown an interest in me, so obviously I had something going on. I didn't usually have esteem issues, but being with the golden boy in his hot expensive car made me feel a bit self-conscious.

”Did you like the movie?” he asked.

I nodded. ”Yeah, it was funnier than I expected.”

”You were laughing pretty good.” He smiled. ”I heard you snort a couple of times.”

”I did not snort.”

He chuckled. ”Yeah, you did.” He held up two fingers. ”Twice.”

I laughed but I could feel my cheeks redden. I dipped my head trying to hide my embarra.s.sment.

”I thought it was very cute.” Josh reached across the front seat and played with the tip of my hair hanging just above my breast. ”I liked it.”

I wasn't sure what to say after that. Nerves were zinging through me like electricity. There were b.u.t.terflies in my stomach doing some cheesy break dancing. So I just blurted out the first thing that came to my mind.

”You're like the most popular guy in school, why in h.e.l.l did you ask me out?”

His hand dropped from my hair and he put it back onto the steering wheel. ”Because I like you.”

”You don't even know me, Josh.”

”Well, I'd like to get to know you.”

I shook my head at the circle in his logic. ”But why? I'm not Miss Popular. I'm not even close to being popular and I don't look anything like Heather or her set.”

”To be honest, Salem. I don't know.” He chewed on his lower lip for a second then continued. ”When I saw you on the steps in front of school, it just hit me, like a baseball bat to the head. I had to talk to you. I had to get to know you.”

”That's kind of weird.” I glanced out the side window. I didn't want him to see the look in my eyes. The one that said I knew what had happened to him. Why he had to all of a sudden get to know me. It was the changes inside me. They somehow made me more attractive. It was like having super-powered pheromones.

”You don't sound too happy about it.”

I glanced at him and smiled. ”I'm still in shock.”

”I'm actually surprised you agreed to go out with me.”

”You were?”

He nodded. ”Yeah, I mean, I'm not really your type of guy.”

”And what is my type of guy?”

”Dark, brooding, tattoos, piercings, and a bad haircut.” He chuckled.

”Well, I'm not really your type of girl, either. I have a brain instead of silicone implants.”

He laughed, and then said, ”No, I suppose you're not my usual interest.” He looked at me, and his gaze was penetrating. Even through the twilight of the vehicle I could see the spark in his deep blue eyes. ”But that's what makes it fun, don't you think?”

I just smiled, unsure of how to respond to that. He was right in a way. The fact that we weren't a match made in heaven made the whole experience different. Naughty. Like we were doing something very wrong. I liked it. And by the way Josh kept eyeing me, with a dangerous glint in his gaze; he was enjoying the sensation as well.

For the rest of the drive, we didn't talk much. Once in awhile he'd ask me a question about things I liked. Music, movies, school subjects. The usual.

It wasn't until Josh drove the car into a big parking lot that I perked up. I didn't recognize the park he'd pulled up to.

”Where are we?”

”Camel's Back Park.”

He turned off the engine and got out of the car. He walked around the vehicle to open my door. I slid out, glancing around the area wondering why he brought me here.

”Do you bring all your dates here?”

He shook his head. ”I used to come here all the time with my mom before she died.”

Now, I felt like a big old piece of c.r.a.p for asking. ”Oh. I'm sorry.”

He shrugged. ”Don't sweat it. It was years ago.” He was looking down at the ground, kicking at the gravel. Then he glanced up at me. ”Do you like to swing?” He took my hand and pulled me toward the big, green-painted playground.

Intrigued, I followed him to the swing set. I had to admit, swinging was one of my favorite things to do on a playground. Sometimes at night, I would go for a walk near my house and stop at the playground for a swing. I never told anyone that though, it struck me as sounding sort of childish.

But now, I allowed that inner child free and positioned my b.u.t.t into one of the rubber swings. Josh didn't settle beside me in the next swing but stood behind me, intent on pus.h.i.+ng.

I smiled as he settled his hands around my waist. ”Hang on,” he murmured into my ear. A s.h.i.+ver raced down my spine as he pulled me backwards then let me go.

His hands started on my back as he pushed me, but eventually they ended up on the curve of my b.u.t.t. I thought it was an ingenious way to cop a few feels. I didn't mind though. Every touch sent a new wave of heat rus.h.i.+ng through my body.

After a few more good pushes, I was soaring high. My stomach crested and dipped every time I went up, my feet nearly in line with my head. At one point, I thought I was going to go all the way over. Giggling, I kicked my legs, enjoying every minute of the sensation. It was like flying.

Eventually, I had enough. So did my stomach. ”No more!” I yelped to Josh. He stopped pus.h.i.+ng and I let myself slow enough that he could get a handle on the swing chains to bring me to a complete stop.

His hands moved over to my waist and he leaned down to my ear again. ”How was that?”

”Awesome,” I breathed just a little too heavy. His scent was enticing me just a bit too much. Saliva actually pooled in my mouth.

I pushed out of the swing. ”Let's go on the slide.”

He grinned. ”Race you.” He charged toward the long spiral slide. I was right on his heels. When he reached the metal steps, he said, ”You go first.”

When we reached the bottom, Josh didn't make any indication that he was letting go of me. I couldn't complain. I liked being held close against him.

”You smell really good.”