I shrug and repeat, ‘Try harder next time.’
He growls loudly, then shoves away from me and stalks back to the car. I start to feel a tiny pulse of regret, but before it can consume me, he’s suddenly back, taking me by the waist and backing me up against the door.
His lips hover over mine—a hairsbreadth away. I can feel his exhale—smell the spices on it. He noses along my cheek, my jawline, over my chin, and then he pulls back.
‘Prepare yourself for next time,’ he signs in between us.
Then, before I can blink, he shoves me back toward the sidewalk, gets in his car, and pulls out of the spot.
I’m unable to move as I watch the lights on his car disappear into the fading darkness, and a single tremor rushes through my body. Next time, he promised.
And I think he’s actually going to keep it.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ROME
The numberof times I’ve asked the internet for romantic date ideas the last two days is bordering on obsessive, but I want to get this right, and I’m not creative enough to come up with something amazing on my own.
Dex and his damn notebook. I can’t believe after that expensive dinner, he gave me only two points. A C minus and a kiss on the forehead.
Asshole.
Although…feeling his soft lips pressing against my skin did something to me I don’t want to think about. So I don’t. I shove that aside for later and try to focus on where I went wrong.
I thought the entire dinner idea was great. I mean, I know I lack in the communication department, but fuck, I tried. I even talked about Paris. But it wasn’t enough.
I need to figure out something creative to do with him, something that will knock his socks off and let me blow him at the end of it. The internet is lacking in creativity, so I end up on Leaf’s porch out of sheer desperation.
‘Hey!’ he says happily, tripping over a rake as he makes his way toward me. He’s wearing short shorts and a thin tank top, sweat lining his skin. His hair is a little wild, as if I caught him right after having sex.
‘Hi. Bad time?’ I ask, and he rolls his eyes.
‘If you mean bad like how Michael dug a hole in my new planters, then yes. Bad time. But other than that, it’s fine. I’m totally fine.’
I arch an eyebrow at him, not really believing him but deciding it’s probably best not to ask.
‘Thorne here?’
‘No, he’s out grocery shopping. He said I need a real meal tonight. Apparently, cheese and crackers don’t cut it. I mean, what heathen thinks that? Cheese is life.’ I stare at him, and he waves me inside. ‘Come on. I’ll make you a drink.’
‘It’s noon.’
‘Fuck noon!’ he says, flipping off the sky as we move through the house.
I take a seat at the island as he gets to work, making me some kind of alcoholic drink in a shaker. As he does, he peppers me with questions.
‘So why you here? Just show up? Very old-fashioned Deaf of you.’
‘Need advice.’
He rubs his hands together and then gets back to work. ‘Tell me. I am guru.’ He pauses and then asks, ‘Sign for guru?’
‘No idea. Maybe Buddha?’
He stares at me. ‘I think more liketeacher.’
I shrug, and he shakes his head. ‘I’m getting off point. Go on. I’m listening.’ That sign is near his eye instead of his ear.
