She glances down at my crotch. I wasn’t lying.
“Texas?” She giggles. “Think a lot of yourself, huh?”
“California, then.”
“Okay. It’s definitely more California than Texas.”
She laughs again, and I like the sound of it. Probably too much.
I kiss her quick. “In answer to your earlier question, Prudence. I have no idea what’s going on here. I like you. You’re fucking gorgeous. I want you on the back of my bike and in my bed.” Probably more than once. “That’s all I’ve got for now.”
She blinks several times in rapid succession. “Thank you for that.”
She didn’t say yes so, I’ve got to ask, “What do you want?”
She shrugs. “Now isn’t a great time for me to be contemplating a relationship.”
“Relationship?” I fuckin’ hate that word. There’s way too much bullshit tied up in it.
She takes a quick step away from me and starts to fiddle with some papers on the counter. “Oh, right. I get it.”
I reach out and place my hand on one of her busy ones. “What? Get what?”
“Nothing.”
Jesus. What the hell is going on now? “Prudence?” Her eyes won’t meet mine. It’s pissing me off. “Look at me.”
She flicks her eyes my way, then they’re back to the stuff on the counter.
“Give me your baby blues, Prudence.”
She does it this time except I get the icy glare like I’ve seen before. It’s way better than sad eyes, let me tell you. “Donotboss me, Nate.”
Yeah, I much prefer the fiery version of Prudence. “Then don’t get all fucking wilting flower on me, woman.”
“W-wilting flower?” She’s turned to face me now. “I’m not a flucking wilting flower. And I think you mean shrinking violet anyway.”
Flucking.Ignoring the fact she corrected me, I say, “Can’t wait ‘til you get pissed off enough or turned on enough to say it the way God intended.”
“That will never happen.”
We’ll see about that. Realizing I’d better leave while a little ahead, I touch her arm. “Pick you up at six thirty tomorrow.” It’s not a question.
“You’re doing it again.”
“What?”
“Bossing me around.”
I sigh. “I’d like to take you out tomorrow night. Are you free, Prudence?”
She crosses her arms and frowns. “I’m not sure. I’ll have to check my calendar.”
“I’ll pick you up at six-thirty. Wear jeans and some kind of boot. Probably a good idea to wear a jacket.”
“I’m not getting on that bike.”
“Yeah. You are. You’re at least tryin’ it.” She’ll love it. I’m sure of that. “We’ll take a spin around the block, and you can see what you think after that. If you don’t like it, we’ll drive your car. Fair enough?”
