“But… this isn’t just any watch. It’s not like you bought it cheap at a retailer. This brand isn’t sold at every store. There are gemstones on it for fuck’s sake.” It was going to look stunning on him.
I shrugged. He was lucky I didn’t buy the one with the studded face and band.
A sigh slipped from him. “I’m not going to win this, am I?”
“Not when it comes to me giving you gifts.”
“Fine. Thank you.” He smiled. “I love it. No one’s ever gotten me anything like this before. Everything I have, I’ve worked for. Growing up, we didn’t have a lot. Pop did the best he could. If younger me could see current me now, he’d be shocked.” He chuckled softly, lost in the past.
“We all have our demons to wrestle.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make it seem like I had it hard. We were lucky to have Pop. What you dealt with…” He shook his head.
“Don’t, okay?” I took the box from Forest, removing the watch, then placed it on his wrist. It fit perfectly, like I’d hoped it would. “We can revisit our trauma another night. For now, let’s have dinner. If we’re not there soon, Colleen will call to ask where we are.”
“That’s Ollie’s mom, right? What’s his dad’s name?”
“Davis, and the cat is Celeste.”
“I need to know the cat’s name?” he asked.
“You will. She’s a strong presence in the house. I dare say she runs the place.”
Forest grinned, and a bit of my insides melted at the sight. He smiled so easily, like it was a simple thing to do. For most, it was. For me, well, pure joy wasn’t a common emotion.
I stood off to the side, scanning the back alley while Forest locked up his home. We descended the stairs, his gaze catching on my car.
“I thought you only had the motorcycle,” he said.
“I don’t drive this often.”
“Why the hell not? It’s gorgeous.” He lightly skimmed his fingers over the hood as he rounded it to the passenger side.
I’d bought the BMW M850i Gran Coupe a couple of years ago. It was a slick, dark-gray metallic, and looked fast even when it wasn’t moving. I didn’t mind spending money on the car. If I were going to have to drive one, I wanted to love it. Luckily, I kept it in the garage during the winters and drove one of Jordan’s Navigators when I needed to get around. I didn’t want my car full of salt and gross road slush from snow.
“The bike allows me to weave in and out of traffic and catch up to anyone we’re chasing. Not that it happens often. I also prefer riding it to driving a car.”
“Makes sense. I’d still drive this more frequently.”
“I have no commute. The only time I have to arrive at a location is when I’m not already with Jordan and he calls me in. I drive what’s easier.”
He gave me another sweet smile. “When do I get to go for a ride on your bike?”
“If anyone else were to ask me that, I’d immediately think of sex, but I’m trying not to have a completely dirty mind where you’re concerned. To answer your question, whenever you want. I can take you out tomorrow. I’m not scheduled to work. Jordan will be in for the day so, hopefully, nothing comes up that I need to be elsewhere. Now get in before we’re really late.”
“Okay, but for the record, I wouldn’t mind you talking dirty to me.” He slid into the car while I stood beside it, trying to remember what words were and how to say them. This man would be what drove me to an early grave.
I got inside and buckled. “I’ve said it before, and I will again. You’re dangerous, Forest Weathers.”
“Only to you, apparently.”
It took everything in me not to grip the back of his neck and find out what his tongue tasted like. I wouldn’t push him into anything, but oh how I wanted to lick my way across the inside of his mouth and feel the hard outline of his cock against mine.
As we pulled out onto the street, I focused on driving and not all the things I’d like to do to Forest. Showing up hard to dinner was a hell fucking no.
After ten minutes of neither of us saying anything, Forest busted out laughing, startling me. I fucking swerved briefly onto the shoulder. “Jesus,” I muttered. “Warn a guy before you start cackling.”
“I don’t cackle!” he hollered while wiping tears from his eyes. “You’re just pissed because I turned you on and we have to eat dinner with Ollie’s parents.”
