“Did he make sure you got home? A text?” he presses.
I drop my eyes away from his and find my usual focal point.
“I texted him,” I say, wondering where he’s going with this. He’s treading lightly, and I appreciate it, but I’m fine with blunt. I know what to do with that.
“Did he answer?”
“No, but he’s at work.”
“Are you talking about last night or tonight?” He lightly jostles me with the arm resting over my shoulder, fishing for a clearer response.
“Tonight. He didn’t know Jackson boosted it last night. He never came outside.”
He muffles a swear, scrubbing a hand over his face. “You’re saying he didn’t walk you out or offer to stay on the phone with you? He let you walk out alone without a word. Did he even kiss you good night?”
The wordkisssends a chill rippling across my skin. Daniel and I are close friends who have always flirted.Harmlessly. It’s probably the cornerstone of our friendship. He’s been even more flirty lately—either to make me laugh or distract me. I’m not used to being anyone’s concern, and I’m probably a little attention-starved, so I need to watch myself. Especially since we’re alone.At night.
The cool air-conditioning chills my damp hair, tempting me to curl into him.
He’ll let me. No strings attached. I have before.
I always remind myselfthis is just his personality. Plus, he’s older than I thought.
How could I almost miss his birthday? We see each other every day, and I didn’t even have his age right. I’ve been way too self-absorbed. I do my best to keep up with our little circle, but between them and my bio family in Cookeville and friends in other places, it’s hard to remember.
I mentally run through the list to be sure I haven’t forgotten anyone. Sammy’s twenty—Cinco de Mayo. Annie was twenty-one in March. Jace is twenty-five … right before Christmas, and apparently DC is nowtwenty-seven.
Wow. That feels like a big difference for some reason.
As much as he takes care of me, I must seem as young as Annie to him. I’ll be twenty-four in January. Maybe I’ll be a whole grown up by then.
He leans into my side to get my attention because I spaced out when he said “kiss.”
Why would he ask me that?
No, Nathan didn’t kiss me good night. He wouldn’t even speak to me.
I just shake my head.
“You always say he has a lot on his mind, but you’veneverbeen at the top of the list. This is just his latest and biggest excuse.” He leans his head against mine as lightning flashes and thunder cracks. I jump from the sudden sound, and he pulls me in a little tighter.
We lose power, and the light from the corner lamp goes dark. I can’t see anything, but he’s so close I can feel his breath and smell the faintest hint of cologne. He doesn’t always wear it, but he could lure me to my doom with that subtle spicy sweetness if he were so inclined.
His familiar scent mingling with the comfort of his voice warms me from the inside out. “You know I always support you, but he got himself into this mess. He should’ve been begging God to help him be the man he needs to be because you stayed when you didn’t have to. You have not failed anyone. I know that’s what this is really about, because I know you. And I know from my own experience. We’re not that different.”
He lifts our joined hands to push his hair back, and my fingers itch to run through it. But I know better. “Making sure you’re safe is the bare minimum, Lu. When you love someone, it’s automatic. How could henotcheck in? I don’t forget about you. And I would never ignore you.”
“You would never…” I whisper.
“Damn straight. If you were mine, I wouldn’t let you out of my sight without kissing you so thoroughly you couldn’t wait to come home to me.”
Holy heavens. Is that a threat or a promise?
He is furious. But it's different than anger.
He’s fiery passion contained in patience and self-control, and it might possibly be the most seductive thing I’ve ever witnessed.
Being loved by him would be a dream. And bydream, I mean the furthest thing from reality.
