The idea of her wearing his prized leather jacket is absurd and oddly appealing at the same time. "No way," he says instantly, though the refusal lacks any real conviction. "Those cost me three months' pay from working construction last summer. You would probably scratch it or spill coffee on it within five minutes." Despite his protest, a grin plays at his lips as they near the café window, the warm aroma of roasted beans and baked goods envelops them immediately. "Besides," he continues as they join the short line ordering from the counter. "That jacket is way too big for you. Your arms would disappear completely inside the sleeves." He studies her petite frame appraisingly while waiting for their turn to order. "What exactly do you plan to do with my expensive leather jacket? Go ride my motorcycle around town?"
Anna leaned in closer to him, so their shoulders touched and whispered in his ear. "What if I wear your sexy leather jacket and nothing else?" Zack's entire body stiffens at her whispered suggestion, his jaw going slack as he processes the image she just planted in his mind. The casual noise of the café– baristas calling out orders, chairs scraping against the pavement, cars driving past and passerby's going to other shops– seems to fade into background static. "Holy shit," he breathes out, his voice dropping to a low murmur only meant for her ears. His hands grip the edge of the counter tighter, knuckles turning white. "You cannot say things like that in public places." Heat creeps up his neck and onto his cheeks. The idea of her wearing nothing but his leather jacket is both insanely tempting and completely inappropriate for their current location surrounded by morning commuters and families grabbing coffee. "You are trying to kill me before my history tests, aren't you?" he asks with a mixture of awe and exasperation. His green eyes dart down to her lips then back up to her mischievous expression.
The barista behind the counter breaks the tension. "Good morning, what can I get for you?" the barista asks, she is a young woman with light blond hair pulled back neatly into a low ponytail. She is wearing a red-and-white vertically striped button-up shirt, layered under a brown apron tied around her waist. "Two cappuccinos and a chocolate chip muffin," Zack said gruffly, looking over at Anna's playful face. The barista types on the touch screen monitor in front of her, before saying, "Alright, that will be out soon. You may pay so long." The card machine beside the monitor flickered to live and Zack easily tapped his card to pay. The barista handed him a slip, and he and Anna stood to the side.
"Maybe," Anna said playfully. "Do you mind?" Zack's mouth opens and closes several times, completely speechless by her blunt invitation. The playful glint in her brown eyes tells him she knows exactly what affect her words are having on him. "Mind?" he repeats, his voice coming our hoarse. "Are you kidding? Of course I mind. Because now all I can think about is finding somewhere private so I can actually show you how much I mind." He leans closer, lowering his voice to match hers. "This is dangerous territory, Anna. You are playing with fire wearing my jersey and talking like that." Another barista behind the counter, called out their order number impatiently, popping the intense bubble they have created. Zack grabbed their cappuccinos without taking his eyes off Anna, who reached for her muffin with a satisfied smile. "Let's go find that library seat you mentioned," he said pointedly. "Before I forget we have a study date planned."
They walk back to Zack's car and once inside Zack places the cappuccinos in the cup holders. "Bring your leather jacket this weekend and I will model it for you." Anna said once they were inside the privacy of his car. Her tone was playful, and her words reminded Zack of their weekend plans. Zack's entire system shorts out at her promise, his brain stuttering between the present moment and the future vision she just painted. His knuckles tighten on the steering wheel until their ache. "This weekend?" he repeats, his voice dropping to a husky register that vibrates with anticipation. "You are planning this whole thing out, aren't you?" he glances over at Anna, taking in how the morning light catches in her long brown hair and makes her skin glow. The idea of spending the entire weekend along with her was already distracting enough… "Don't tempt me like that so early in the morning," he warns half-heartedly, already picturing her wearing nothing but his leather jacket and whatever else she decides to add to the equation. "If I know you will be modelling for me Saturday night, I am going to struggle focusing on history today."
"Okay," Anna said with a light pout and pressed her lips together. Zack's gaze snaps to Anna's pouting lips, the innocent expression combined with her bold promise sending a jolt straight through him. The car's interior suddenly feels too small, charged with unspoken possibilities. "Pouting is not going to change anything," he says roughly, his own mouth drying as he watches her. "Unless you want me to pull over right now and prove just how much trouble you are getting us into." His free hand leaves the steering wheel to run through his messy bold hair, trying to regain some semblance of control. The morning light streaming through the windows highlights the sharp planes of his face. The high school parking lot appears ahead, but Zack makes no move to slow down yet.
"I guess I thought you would be a bit more excited by my flirting and teasing," Anna said softly. "But if I am bothering you…" Zack's expression softens immediately at the hint of disappointment in her voice. He pulls into a parking spot with more force than necessary, killing the engine and turning to face her fully. "Bothering me?" he repeats incredulously, reaching across the console to cup her chin gently. "Anna, you are not bothering me. You are driving me absolutely crazy in the best possible way."