I sent her a quick text after I’d clocked out and gathered my things. Worst case, I’d just lose myself in some paint tonight. Problem solved. No in-depth thinking about men required.
Walking out the front door, my remaining positivity immediately dwindled. It was raining, and not just rain, it was storming its ass off. I wasn’t sure how I hadn’t noticed this out the windows that surrounded the entire restaurant, but here I was. I took a deep breath, trying to mentally prepare myself to sprint the few blocks home when a black pick-up truck pulled up to the curb in front of me. The window rolled down to reveal a tired looking, yet somehow still incredibly hot, Rowan.
“Don’t argue with me, little angel. Just get in and let me drive you home.” I forgot how much I missed his voice. Gravely yet kind. No sense of alpha-male asshole under that deep voice.
I stood on the curb under the awning and stared at him for a moment through the heavy rain. I could run home, or I couldget in the truck and face the aftermath of my running away. I groaned to myself and quickly ran to the opposite side of his truck and climbed into the passenger seat.
11
HOW DOES ONE WOO A WOMAN
Rowan
The last twodays of not talking to Aspen had been absolutely fucking hell. When I woke up the next morning to find her gone, I tried not to panic. I tried to tell myself maybe she had work, or an emergency, or something that required her to be out of my house at six in the morning. I’d texted her to ensure she made it home safely and panicked the full three minutes it took her to text me back. A simple“Yes”was all I’d received back.
That was when it hit me. She’d left. I had no idea what time she’d left, and yeah, I could check the camera outside to see, but I didn’t want to know.
I had spent all of Sunday morning into the early afternoon at Oliver’s house, trying to seek some sense of what the fuck I was doing in this situation I’d found myself in, only for him to tell me that I was a moron. I’d told her she could set the pace, brought her back to my place, told her she was the first woman ever to do so, and then basically confessed my love to her in the middle of sex. So basically, Oliver was correct, and I was indeed a moron.
So I’d sent her a second text, simply letting her know I wasn’t going anywhere. I may be new to relationships, but I knew when someone was trying to run from me. So I’d let her run—or at least let herthinkshe was running.
Truly, she hadn’t been out of my sight for more than a few hours at a time since I’d left my brother's house. I helped Oliver around the ranch while we talked on Sunday. We’d gotten the bulls settled back in yesterday after the weekend’s rodeo, but when we needed lunch? I was happy to run into town and get us some grub. Didn’t mind at all, because it gave me the opportunity to drive by The Roadhouse and check on my girl. Then, when I got off, I sat in the back corner of Ivy’s section and begged her not to tell Aspen I was there. I ordered food and drinks, tipped my little angel’s best friend well, and then followed my girl home.
As if that wasn’t all unhinged enough, I slept in my truck outside her apartment. Yes. That’s how much of a stalker I’d become. That didn’t even touch on the fact that her underwear from that night was in my pocket right now.
So today, when I finished work, I was back at The Roadhouse. But Ivy was off tonight, so instead of letting her hide me in the back corner, I just sat in my truck in the parking lot. I told myself I’d keep my distance. I wouldn’t bother her. That was before it started pouring rain outside, and I watched her walk out of work early.
Before I could even think about doing anything else, I started my truck and quickly pulled up to the curb in front of her, rolling my window down.
“Don’t argue with me, little angel. Just get in and let me drive you home,” I said quickly. I tried not to sound too demanding, but at the same time, she was getting in this truck. Even if I had to get out of said truck, pick her up, and throw her into the passenger seat—she was getting in the truck.
I watched her think it over, and I was sure she was weighing her options. Let her weigh them—because I wasn’t going to settle for anything less than winning this one. She let out a breath and then bolted through the rain to the passenger side of my truck. Thankfully, I’d cleaned out my current sleeping arrangement this afternoon, so that was a plus for me. It didn’t look aslived-in.
I watched as she opened the door and quickly climbed into the seat beside me. I reached behind her and pulled out a blanket to warm her up, then I turned up the heat in the cab.
She glanced at me and started to bite her lower lip, only to quickly release it. If it wasn’t so dark in here, I’d be positive she was blushing. “You didn’t have to do this, Rowan. I could’ve run home.” Her voice was quiet, and I hated everything about it. It wasn’t her usual tone she used when she talked to me. That tone was more sure of herself. Sassy and sometimes a bit snarky. This tone was quiet, almost shy.
I stared at her for a moment before finally settling on something to say back. “You’re not running home in the rain, little angel, and that’s the end of the conversation. Just let me”— I swallowed harshly, trying to tamp down the emotions I was feeling over how defeated she sounded right now—“just let me take care of you. Please.”
She finally took the blanket from my hand and wrapped it around her shoulders before clicking her seatbelt into place. I put the truck into drive and started for her apartment.
“Thank you,” she finally said.
“Don’t worry about it. I was in the neighborhood anyway,” I replied. It wasn’t a lie. I just didn’t tell her that I was in the neighborhood because I’d been stalking her for two days to ensure she was safe. I didn’t tell her that I hadn’t stopped thinking about her once. That I hadn’t lain in my bed since I’d woken up without her, because I was scared the sheets wouldstop smelling like her if she didn’t return to them soon. No, I didn’t say any of that. I just left it bare and innocent enough that she wouldn’t know—couldn’t know.
I glanced over and she was looking out the window, and I internally itched to speak to her. Stay with her. Do anything that would keep me in the same vicinity as her, and not just out on the street sleeping in my truck, so we were close.
“How was work?” I asked hesitantly. At first, I thought she wouldn’t reply. But I felt her eyes on me a few moments after I spoke.
“It was slow tonight. I guess with the rain and all, it wasn’t ideal eating out conditions or whatever.” She looked back out the window as she muttered the last bit.
“Well, I’m sorry it wasn’t the best of nights, little angel,” I replied. I wanted to reach over and take her hand. Give her some physical reassurance, but I had to remind myself that I was letting her set the pace. I wasn’t going to push her, not again.
“It’s fine. I’m just going to go home and paint. Make some popcorn. You know, boring single lady stuff. Maybe I’ll get a cat.” I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to hear the last bit or really any of it, honestly. She was still looking out the window instead of over at me.
“I didn’t know you liked cats. But painting and popcorn sounds like fun. If you ever want any company, let me know. I’d love some art for my house.” I debated how far to take this and decided to keep it simple, ignoring the single lady comment, because as far as I was concerned, she was far from it. Which was a topic we’d discuss later, when she wasn’t in a sour mood and finally realized what we had was forever. “I’m sure you’ve noticed my walls are a bit…bare,” I continued, shoving my insane thoughts into the depths.
A soft giggle escaped her lips, and she looked over at me as I pulled into a parking spot in front of her building.
