A Look Back: Rennillia Series - Prequel by M. Sembera Page A

questioned, “Why?”
    “I haven’t ever been on an actual real date before,” I explained.
    Jackson was silent for a moment. I felt him kiss my shoulder. Turning to look at him, I realized we were face to face. Leaning in, he softly kissed my lips. I was speechless.
    Slowly pulling away, Jackson whispered, “Don’t be nervous,” as I stared at him.
    He was right. With the most anticipated event of the evening out of the way, I relaxed.
    After dinner, Jackson wrapped his arm around my shoulders as we left the restaurant. In his truck, I slid to the middle, sitting right next to him. With his arm back around my shoulders, I tucked my legs under my dress and leaned against him. Even if I had been on a thousand dates before, I was sure this one would have been the best.
    Pulling away from the restaurant, Jackson asked, “It’s only nine. What do ya want to do now?”
    “Well, you’re doing pretty good so far. You pick,” I replied.
    Smiling wide, he questioned, “Do you wanna get a drink?”
    I asked, “Like a drink, drink?”
    “My cousin Gus owns The Bar. We can’t go in the front but we can have a beer in the back…that is if you want,” he replied.
    Pretending to think it over, I waited for a minute before agreeing, “Okay.”
    Making a quick u-turn, he headed to The Bar. Pulling around back when we arrived, we got out and walked to the back door. Jackson opened the door to a small room. He asked me to wait for him before sharing that he would be back in just a few minutes. While I waited, I felt a pain of Hert's impending 'I told you so', as I looked around the room and spotted a small bed against the wall. Deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt, seeing as he had been incredibly respectful so far, I stood there waiting.
    It wasn’t long before I heard voices making their way to the room.
    I saw Jackson first then a stocky red haired man with a full beard, holding two beers as Jackson introduced, “Ren this is my cousin Gus.”
    I smiled with a slight nod as Gus handed Jackson and me our drinks.
    Gus smiled, saying, “Nice to meet ya,” then motioned for Jackson to follow him.
    Even though he closed the door behind them, I heard Gus say, “What the hell is the matter with you boy, bringin’ that dago girl to my bar? Does her father know she’s out with you?”
    There was a long pause before I heard Jackson defend, “No, but…” before Gus cut him off saying, “There is somethin’ really wrong with you boy,” and then silence.
    The door slowly opened and Jackson walked in.
    Shrugging, I said, “I don’t want you to get in trouble by bringing me here.”
    “It’s all good, Gus just gets sensitive now and then,” he said.
    Out of curiosity, I had to ask, “So does he get all upset every time you bring a girl here or is it just the dago ones?”
    Appearing a bit surprised, he stated, “I’ve never brought a girl here before.”
    Tilting my head, I raised an eyebrow silently questioning him as he assured, “I really haven’t.”
    Slightly smiling with a nod, I questioned, “And the bed?”
    “Gus stays here when he gets in trouble with his wife,” he explained.
    Jackson took off his jacket and laid it at the head of the bed before he sat down on the bed and patted the spot next to him. I took a sip of my beer and sat down. I shivered a little and realized I left my sweater in his truck.
    “Are you cold?” he asked.
    Nodding, I took another sip and said, “I left my sweater in your truck.”
    Scooting closer, Jackson placed his arm around me, asking, “Are you having a good time so far?”
    Holding back a smile, I nodded and asked, “Are you?”
    Almost as if he was unsure if he would be, he replied, “Yea, I am.”
    Happy with his response, I said, “Good.”
    He reached over and took my beer, setting it on a little table next to his. Smiling wide at me, he leaned in and kissed me.
    Our second kiss was better than the first. Pulling away, he smiled again before leaning