Chapter 36: Another Step Forward-2

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Later that night, I lay on Quintin's bed as I watched him pace back and forth in front of his balcony doors.

"I can't do it, Jade, I just can't!" he said, running his hands through his hair.

Shaking my head slightly, "Seriously, Quin? You can kill a man and chop his body to pieces without so much as a flinch, but you're scared to ask your crush out on a date? Really?"

Turning to look at me, he pointed a finger, "Hey! You know the fragility of the situation, it's not that easy okay!"

"Come on, it's been how many years now? Don't you think it's time to take the risk? Remember what we said the day before my nineteenth birthday, about the risks we take for love?" I asked as I sat up more attentively.

Sighing softly, he walked over and sat next to me on the bed, "Yes well, I'm pretty sure this risk might really involve my death."

"I highly doubt it, Quin. Maybe you can do a test run at my birthday party this weekend. Strike up a conversation, then pretend to accidentally touch them and see what they do?" I suggested while moving to put my arms around him.

Hugging me back, he nodded slightly, "That could work, it's going to be hard though. I'm going to have to try and sneak the opportunity when they're not busy."

Scoffing, I said, "That'll be easy, it's my birthday after all. It'll be a festive occasion and I'm sure they'll be walking around at some point and if not, I'll corner them and make them toast with me then you can always join the conversation."

"Speaking of birthdays, what will you be asking Dominic for, as if everyone in this house doesn't know," Quintin teased me with a wink as he added, "I feel sorry for his penis already."

"Hey! Cut me some slack! I'm going to be twenty-one and am basically a virgin. Granted, I was never really into such things before, but I am now, so excuse me for being an eager beaver!" I stuck my tongue out at him.

Quintin simply laughed at my antics as I continued to speak.

"Besides, I feel like our make-out sessions have been getting more and more intense as of late," I said thoughtfully before adding, "but I need more than just heated kisses and light caresses. I want to go all the way, I want to feel him touch me."

Scrunching his nose, Quintin gagged, "Don't remind me! I swore he was going to devour you while you straddled the Pak40 the other night! Even Vincent was eyeing your body. Lucky for him the boss didn't notice, otherwise he'd be blind," he said with a chuckle.

Rolling my eyes, I argued, "Vincent was not eyeing me!"

"Uh huh! That's why Dominic always tells you to wear proper clothes, Jade," he playfully reprimanded me, "it's hard not to stare at you when you're half naked!"

"Not my fault you men can't seem to keep it in your pants. A little cleavage and you turn into rabid dogs!" I muttered before continuing, "Why should I have to wear a tent because you all have no self-control?"

"Patriarchal society at its best," Quintin stated, then looked down at my chest and chuckled, "besides, there's nothing little about your cleavage J." Grabbing a pillow, I hit him over the head, "Such a fucking pig!"

"Ow! I'm just calling it as I see it," he grinned as he stood up, "I have a meeting in the lower basement in a few minutes, so I'll check in on you later, okay?"

Getting off his bed, I nodded as I hugged him once more, "Have fun!"

I made my way back to my bedroom and pulled out my mobile phone. With a smile on my face, my fingers glided over the screen as I began typing a message.

Jade:

"I miss you..."

Within a few short minutes, my phone's notification sounded off with a reply. My face lit up with an even bigger smile while I read the incoming text.

Dominic:

"You do realise that I'm right downstairs, why didn't you come to tell me this in person?"

Jade:

"I know you called for a meeting,

so I figured I'd just message you before you got too busy.

You know what tends to happen

sometimes when we're in

the same room alone."

Dominic:

"Mmmnn, I do,

you end up getting handsy..."

Jade:

"Me?!"

Dominic:

"I don't know any other

naughty purple-haired brats!"

Jade:

"I hope not...