“Food okay?” I asked, looking at her plate for signs that I’d burned something.
“Yes. No, I mean, yes, the food is great, but I need to apologize.”
Confused, I waited for her to explain.
“Earlier, what I said…or didn’t say…about you having a cleaning service. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have tried to make you feel bad for it. There’s nothing wrong with you using your hard-earned money to give someone a job. A perfectly respectable job, I might add. I was basically accusing you of being a snob, but it was really me who was being that way.”
I reached out and drew a finger softly down her cheek. “You’re too hard on yourself, baby. I didn't even notice it. But thank you.”
Her tension began to leech out as she turned back to her breakfast.
I didn’t want her to feel bad about what she’d said. But the wheels in my head were spinning, forming an idea of how I could use this to my advantage.
Deciding to go for it, I twisted my still so I was facing her. “Does this mean you’re going to let me pay for?—”
“No,” she interrupted firmly, giving me a look, but it was softer than I expected.
I just grinned and kissed her before sauntering back to the bedroom to take a shower.
When we were both ready to go, she tried to grab her keys and head for the subway.
I blocked the door.
“Micah—”
My eyes narrowed at her. “Don’t. I’m driving you.”
“You have practice?—”
I knew exactly what she was going to say.
“On Long Island. I know, you’re in the opposite direction.”
“Then why?—”
“Because I’m taking care of you, baby. Let me. Even if it’s just a fucking ride.”
She looked up at me, a thousand things flashing behind her eyes. But she landed on something sweet and almost shy. “Okay.”
At The Tight Line, I kept my hand possessively on the small of her back as I walked her in. Heads turned. Eyes followed. Lionel barked out a laugh. Someone else whistled low under their breath.
But I noticed Derek at the register. He didn’t laugh. He looked like he’d just bitten into a lemon.
Interesting.
Did he have a thing for my woman? I’d have to dig more into that later.
I guided Rylin toward the kitchen. Before she could vanish behind the swinging door, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her in close.
“Micah—”
I kissed her. Hard. Possessive. Deep enough to leave no doubt in anyone’s mind that she was mine.
When I pulled back, she was breathless and dazed.
“You’re off early, right?” I asked, my voice a little rough and my jaw clenched. It was taking a fuck ton of effort to stay in control.
She nodded. “Four o’clock.”
