"Perfect. Thanks." As Bridget and I slip on our shoes, I murmur, "There are never any leftovers in the house with him around."
"I get it." She loops her purse over her shoulder. "A big man has a big appetite. I used to eat a lot from stress, which is how I got?—"
I cut her off with a hungry, savage kiss. "Gorgeous? Breathtaking?"
Turning slightly so that Corbin can't see from where he's puttering in the dining room, I grip her ass firmly. "Every inch of you is positively luscious, baby." I adore the way her eyes light up. I think she's finally starting to accept that I'm wild for her.
On the drive to Bridget's house, I can't stop reaching out to squeeze her hand, touch her hair, or run my palm over her cheek.
"Watch the road," she hisses through a grin.
"But I don't want to. You're much more interesting."
"It's not very interesting to be wrapped around a utility pole."
"Oh, I don't know. The airbags would kick in, and we'd be stuck in my truck together for another half hour. It wouldn't be that bad."
Her fingers smack my thigh. "Behave yourself."
"Okay," I grumble, grinning as I place my right hand back on the wheel.
When we roll into her driveway, I see the upstairs curtain twitch. "Does your mom always peek out the window whenever there's a car on your street?"
Bridget pulls her hand away, her fingers fidgeting with her purse as her jaw tightens. "Kind of." She glances at me sadly. "We used to live in a really rough neighborhood."
I help her out of the truck, fighting the urge to slip my arm around her as I walk her to the door. I look around slowly: this particular street is a bit rundown, but I wouldn't consider it dangerous. "I can help install a security system, if you like. Or even just check the locks on the doors and windows."
Bridget's eyes light up as if I'd just handed her a baby unicorn. "Really?"
"Of course. You said that it's your birthday next month. Consider it a practical, appetizer present." I can't resist reaching out to caress her cheek with my thumb. Although she leans into my touch, her eyes dart to the front window.
"Ask your mom if she'd mind," I add. "You two can decide, and I can probably take care of it next week."
"Thank you. For dinner, and… Everything." As she looks up at me with those lovely sweet eyes, I feel all the things she can't really say at the moment.
"Thank you, beautiful," I whisper. "See you soon."
I wait until she's safely inside the house to return to the truck and drive off, giving a wave to whoever I assume is looking out the window.
People who have lived in rough neighborhoods or have dealt with incredibly rough circumstances do have a certain look in their eyes sometimes. That's the look I've caught on Bridget's lovely face several times.
I've also noticed that Bridget's eyes dart around suspiciously whenever we're in public. And her mother is very overprotective of a girl who's nearly twenty. Whatever her issues are, I'm going to help. I have the resources, the strength, the patience for whatever she needs.
By the time I get home, Corbin has devoured the last of the takeout and cleaned the kitchen and dining room. Honestly, he's one of the best houseguests I've ever had.
"I should warn you," he says on his way upstairs, "Mom just discovered FaceTime. So be careful where you are when you answer a call from her."
I chuckle, rolling my eyes. "Wanna have a beer and watch a movie?"
"Nah, thanks, I'm beat."
"No problem."
As soon as I flop onto the couch, my phone rings. Sure enough, it's a video call from Mom. After the usual pleasantries, she peers at me through the screen. "Hold your phone closer, Dash. Let me get a good look at you."
I lean toward the lamp. "You just saw me a few days ago. I'm sure I look pretty much the same."
Her head tips slightly to the side. "No… There's something different."
