“It's too late for you to be walking. It's dangerous. I'll give you a ride home. Tony, finish locking up.” I didn't give her time to argue with me. I gently gripped her upper arm and guided her toward the exit.
“I have been walking wherever I needed to go since I was a teenager, I'll be fine.”
I couldn't stop the growl that escaped me. “This is non-negotiable,Bella.”
“I have a name, damn it. Why'd you ask for it if you don't plan on using it?”
The irritation in her voice made me chuckle. “It's a pet name, Carly, and it suits you.” After helping her into my car and getting in on the driver's side I wait for her to give me directions.
A huff leaves her as she shifts in the seat. Before long, she’s giving me directions to where she lives. The neighborhood isn't one of the best in New Orleans, but it wasn't the worst either. The building she lived in, though, was so rundown I didn't want to leave her there. My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. “Let me walk you up.”
“There's no need. Thank you for the ride, Gio. I appreciate it, but this, whatever this is, isn't happening. You're my boss.”
“I get it,Bella, I do. You’re worried about how it would affect your job if, say, we dated and it didn’t work out. Your job will not be affected, regardless of what you choose.I am attracted to you, Carly, and I want to see where this thing between us might go. Don't decide now. Just think about it,Bella.” I got out and went around to open her door. She wouldn't let me walk her up to her apartment but that wasn't going to stop me from escorting her into the building itself. Once inside the door, I didn't give her the chance to escape. I dipped my head and captured her lips in a heated kiss. “Sleep well,Bella.” With that I left her standing next to the stairs with a startled look on her face.
