He looks very pleased, and I am totally surprised when he bends over and presses his lips to my forehead. “Great. I’ll follow you home after work and then drive you over to my house.”
I shake my head. “No, then you’ll have to take me home later. I can just drive.”
With his hands on the arm rest of each side of me, I catch my breath. The closeness and the way he’s looking at me is both exciting and nerve-wracking.
He tilts his head and smirks, as if he knows how he affects me. “If it’s okay with you, I’d rather drive you. I’ll worry about you out at night by yourself.”
Unable to say anything, I just nod.
He lifts his arm and looks at his watch. “What do you think about cutting out early?”
I gasp and then smirk. “I don’t know. My boss may not be happy with that.”
He smiles. “I think he’ll be okay with it.” He tucks a stray piece of hair off my face, behind my ear. “Plus, I’m ready for our date to start.”
I suck in a gasp. “Date?”
He nods. “Yeah, grab your stuff. Let’s get out of here.”
I sit in shock for a few seconds, and then he helps me to my feet. I pick up my tote bag and load it up with my planner and note pads. He takes it from my hand, along with my purse, and asks, “Anything else?”
I shake my head. “No, that’s it.”
He leads me through the office, and people are looking at us curiously as he lets everyone know we’re heading out. I avoid most everyone’s looks, but I do see Carrie wink at me. I feel the heat rise in my face as I follow Elijah out the door.
He helps me to my car. “I’ll pick you up at Kane’s apartment.”
I drive toward home, but the whole time, I’m looking in the rearview mirror. As soon as I pull into the complex parking lot, Elijah pulls in behind me.
He gets out, helps me from the car, and then walks me around to the passenger side.
We’re halfway across town before I think about my brother. “Oh, I should probably text Kane and let him know I won’t be home for dinner.”
He nods. “Yeah, but I want to let you know that I already told him. I was excited you said yes to dinner, so I told him.”
I turn in my seat. “You were excited about us having dinner?”
He smiles widely. “Yes.”
We drive across town, and he pulls into a gated driveway. I’m in awe of the house and barely remember to close my mouth when he looks over at me.
I hate to say it, but this is a little bit awkward with the silence. Usually, we talk, but this feels different. As he parks, I’m about to open the door, and he tells me to hold on.
He jogs around his truck and opens the door, helping me down.
He leads me inside and takes my purse from me.
“Can I show you around?”
I nod and follow him from room to room. His house is nothing like I imagined, but it fits him perfectly. All the wood is big and dark and bold. The rooms are cozy and welcoming. He shows me his bedroom and the spare rooms, and then we end up back in the living room. “What do you think about grilled chicken for dinner?”
“It sounds good. Put me to work.”
He guides me to the kitchen with his hand on the small of my back. His touch is like an imprint on me and heats up my body.
“I didn’t bring you here to cook for me.”
I lean against the counter. “I’m trying to figure out exactly why you brought me here.”
