79. Try Me

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Jim got on the bus and went to his usual seat, two rows behind the driver, by the window. He dropped his duffel bag on the seat by his and waited. Silvia got on with Jo, almost the last ones, and they stayed at the first seat. Jo held her small camera, and they looked completely absorbed in their conversation. Like they'd been since they'd gotten back from the park, talking about the best places to visit in the city.

He tilted his head with a mild frown, studying her. How much longer would it take her to get over the night before? He knew it was as absurd as logical, but she was still trying to stomach that he hadn't rejected her. So she'd retreated to some inner corner, trying to find a little balance to keep going.

And in the meantime, she was being evasive to a cold extent. She'd gotten in the shower when he was still trying to get up, and had pretty much jumped out of it when he'd joined her. To leave the room without even letting him know, while he was still in the bathroom. And leave the hotel as soon as he'd brought her backpack from his room.

The bus left the hotel and he turned to look out, waving at the fans gathered on the sidewalk, that went instantly crazy. He wasn't about to go chasing her around. One thing he didn't do was chasing women. Any women. He was there, they still had two days left to be together. But if she didn't make up her mind soon, she'd find him gone by the time she opened up her eyes. And he had no idea when or how they'd ever manage to meet again.

Silvia knew all of that, and she didn't mean to be such a fool. She was just trying to find her cool back, and a way to let him know she wasn't playing any silly game.

But what was she to say to him? Look, after what you made me feel last night, I'm trying to not pass out every time I look at you. He would laugh in her face. And if she tried to keep feelings out of the conversation, and make it about what a good lover he was or anything like that, he would laugh too, and he'd come up with something like having sex on the bus. She needed to find some middle ground, which was only one more among their ironies-middle grounds with the Extremer.

The ride to the stadium was short, and she didn't know if she'd have a chance to talk with him later. She breathed deep and headed to his seat.

Jim looked up at her with a smile and threw his bag to the empty seat across the aisle. She sat down by his side and raised a finger to keep him quiet. He raised his eyebrows, inviting her to speak up.

She just went for it, head-on. "Look, I know I woke up a total sucker and I'm sorry, but I really need to get at least a little grip on myself."

He bit his tongue to stay as serious as her and nodded slowly.

"Okay," he said cautiously. "You need to keep a grip on yourself?"

"Yes." She tried to ignore the heat lashing her face. "Else, I'd be all over you, fluttering and drooling like an idiot. So please, bear with me, so I can get over it and be myself again, okay?"

He waited a moment longer, to make sure her little drama was over.

"Fluttering and drooling all over me," he repeated, to make sure he'd heard it right.

"Yes. That's exactly what I'm dying to do. So."

A chuckle escaped Jim's lips. "It's okay, woman, I have that effect on people."

She dropped her head down with a sigh, tempted to punch him in the nose. He put his arm around her shoulders to bring her closer to his side.

"Please, don't," she said, sitting up and away from him.

"Don't what?"

"Don't do this to me, Jay. It's already hard enough to play my part like this, and if you-"

"What the fuck are you talking about, woman?"

She glared at him, like taking offense. "I don't wanna embarrass you, you moron!"

Jim's loud, heartfelt laughter filled the whole bus. "What? Embarrass me? Gosh! This is too much! How on earth would you-?"

His laughter was abruptly interrupted when Silvia jumped to sit astride his lap, pinning him to his seat, grabbed his face and smashed her lips against his in a long, deep kiss.

"Like that!" she snarled, her nose still touching his.

She tried to go back to her seat but Jim's arms locked around her, keeping her where she was. He made her lean in toward him and took his turn to kiss her until they were both out of breath.

"You could never embarrass me even if you tried, woman," he replied.

He allowed her to sit back by his side but left his arm around her. She rested hers across his waist and hid her face against his chest. His warm tone didn't exactly help her to put herself together.

"Flutter around, drool, ignore me, kiss me, get mad at me. Can't you see you can do whatever the fuck you want, woman, and I'll be okay with it?"

She gasped, a chill shaking her from head to toes. "Good Lord, Jim, you're so gonna regret it," she muttered.

He chuckled softly, running his fingers through her hair as his lips brushed her forehead.

"Try me," he replied softly, turning to look out the window.

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