Its alright, everybody likes em. Steven was starting to get a bit annoyed with the way Kate almost stuttered out every thing that she said to him. He reached out and cupped her chin in his hand and she grabbed his wrist, her eyes a little frightened. He turned her head to face him. Kate, relax! I dont bite and Im not going to do anything to you. Wanna sit in the back seat?
He stretched himself between the front seats and into the back without waiting for her answer then tilted the passenger seat forward against the dash to afford himself an uninterrupted view of the screen once more. He could see the variables going on in her head, and when she pursed her lips tightly together, he thought that it was over. There be no way shed move from the safe haven of that steering wheel, or the pedals under her feet, the gearshift by her left hand, THE drivers seat. She lowered her gaze as the lights dimmed for the ads before the start of the movie.
At least pass me the Coke he asked.
He heard her say Where did you put it?
It was so soft and tingling with nerves he almost didnt recognise it as her voice.
The coke, oh, at the base of my seat.
They both almost collided heads, she as she moved suddenly to look for it, and he, because he thought she wasnt going to get it.
I found it oh! She exclaimed as she realized that he was leaning up beside her, almost kissing distance if thats what she had wanted. Instead he sat back again, and patted the seat beside him.
Cmon then.
She clutched tightly at the neck of the bottle, and once again, that lengthy hesitation before she acted. He held out his hand when he saw that she was now going to join him, but instead she offered him the coke bottle.
I was trying to help you he said softly. He took the bottle and placed it by his side without taking his eyes from hers. He knew that even without being able to see her eyes, she was looking at him and the light from screen would make his own eyes visible to her. Cmon he offered again.
She lifted her left leg and then almost swiveled herself around her seat, and only took his hand as she alighted onto the back seat. Her momentum pulled them together but this time without hesitation, she bent forwards and away from him and hit the lever on the base of the drivers seat to fold forward as he had done. He still clutched her hand though and when she sat back, he held it firmly, pulling her to him. She shifted slightly in the seat until their hips contacted and then he put their hands down to rest once again on her thigh.
He did not look at her, he watched the opening credits on the screen. Steven stretched out his right leg and rested his foot up against the gearshift, placed the coke bottle between his thighs with his left hand and undid the lid. He offered her a drink without taking his eyes off the screen or releasing her hand, and when she reached to take the bottle from him he felt her left breast crush into his upper arm. Her nipple was erect and it felt hot against his arm and Steven felt an almost imperceptible tremor flood her body. She moved away from him quickly and drank sparingly once more. She took another drink, a longer one.
Like it?
What I what? was all she could stammer back.
The drink. Are you comfortable?
Steven looked back at the screen again, knowing she was less nervous when he wasnt looking at her.
Im fine, thank you she replied.
Look, when you are more comfortable, later on, do you think I could, well, you know, put my arm around you? Steven asked turning his head slightly toward her you know, when it gets a bit chilly, its so nice snuggling up with someone you really like!
But, the blanket
Great idea, yeah, well put the blanket over us too. Are you cold now? He looked directly at her this time. She was looking straight ahead at the screen but her head was shaking no! Its okay, I told you I wont do anything you dont want me to. Relax!
He grasped her hand a bit tighter in his, and jiggled it a little higher on her thigh. She turned her head to him now, and whispered.
Im Im sorry Steven, its just I am nervous, and its just, with my mum and all, Ive just never been out with a boy before, and I will try to relax, Im really sorry, I dont want to spoil things, between you and me, and my Mum, well". Her voice trailed off and Steven wasnt sorry she finished but he gleaned enough from what shed said.
How old are you Katie?
What, well, what are you doing?
Steven had released her hand and put his arm around her shoulders. She sat uncomfortably rigid, staring straight ahead.
Katie, I know its not polite to ask how old a girl is but after what you just said about your mum and all, I wanted to let you know that everything is okay, were friends. Whens your birthday?
He felt her shoulders relax against his arm and he softly rested his fingers against the skin of her upper arm, moving them ever so slowly so that she would get used to their physical contact.
Um, February 18th, Im a Pisces.
She smiled at him with a visible effort to calm herself down.
Yep, so next year that means you will turn? Steven framed the question for her.
Ill be twenty-two next year she almost whispered.
Gee, Im sorry I wasnt around for your twenty-first party; did you have a big one?
Steven was surprised. He didnt believe she could be a day over about 18 or 19, at most. She started talking about her birthday party, obviously happy to talk about something that was special to her. While she babbled, Steven brought his left hand over and took both of her hands and rested them in her lap.
She didnt appear to notice and me and a couple of other girls had this bottle of Asti out the back where Mum wouldnt see us
Steven started caressing his fingers against her hands, his eyes never left hers as he appeared to listen intently to her nonstop recitation. Whenever she paused he would cock his head slightly and raise his eyebrows as if to say go on, and she would. It probably lasted only two or three minutes and she relaxed to a stage where she was responding to his caresses, and was also tentatively using her own fingers to caress his hand in return. On the next pause Steven let her hands go, raised his to the side of her face and began caressing her cheek.
Go on.
She smiled at him, half closed her eyes and rocked her head softly against his fingers. That feels so nice Steven she murmured.
He guided her slightly forward and when she closed her eyes completely he leaned forward as well until his lips came softly into contact with her cheek. Her eyes fluttered but didnt open so he kept kissing her, softly, from the side of her face to each closed eye, then slowly down to the tip of her nose. Her body rolled into him and her head lolled back slightly so he kissed her top lip, then around her mouth before placing his lips directly over hers. The kiss was ever so soft, and Steven felt his erection growing in his jeans. She kept her lips together as she tentatively kissed back. He felt her arm come over his shoulder, her hand to the back of his neck and she pulled him in tighter to her as her lips opened ever so slightly.