“Nothing,” I gasp out the word, hoping it’ll be enough and knowing it’s not anywhere close. From the way he clenches his jaw, I know I’m not getting out of this. “I just mean that you’re,” I wave my hand toencompass all of him and he arches an unimpressed eyebrow, “you, which means you look hotter than you should in your uniform, and I’m just me?” I shrug one shoulder and look down at the plaid skirt I’m wearing today along with the brown flats, the kind with the strap across the top of my foot. “I’m just a girl who works at the county clerk’s office. Comparatively I’m kind of boring.”
“There’s a few things you should know about me,” he whispers the words and I feel them against the soft skin of my cheek as he leans even closer. “I’m not that exciting even if my job might make me seem that way. I prefer it that way because I would rather deal with speeding tickets and minor traffic offenses than big crime rings or accidents where people are hurt or worse.”
“Oh, no,” I start to backpedal, but he puts a finger over my mouth which effectively silences me and has my eyes crossing as I look down at said finger.
He’s. Touching. Me.
It feels like my entire body is buzzing.
“I’m not saying that to make you feel guilty, just to give you some perspective.”
When I shoot him a sheepish glance filled with understanding, he drops his hand and I miss the warmth of the simple touch immediately. He gives a nod like he’s proud of himself for the job well done and it’s adorable as fuck.
And it’s a little infuriating which is what I latch onto and roll my eyes at him. I swear his grey eyes light up with mischief.
“What else should I know about you?” The question slips past my lips and he looks at me like he thinks I’m adorable.
“I prefer my life to be exciting in other ways,” his eyes darken as he looks me over and my pussy sits up and takes notice in a way I’m not sure I like, “that have nothing to do with my badge.” He leans even closer and for a moment I think he’s going to kiss me. “And I don’t think you’reboring at all. I have a feeling there is a lot you don’t share easily.” When I gasp, he sits back with a look of triumph on his face, like that gasp might as well be me agreeing with him. “I’m hoping to earn your trust.”
I blink at the man a few times, completely flummoxed, but he just smirks at me. Just when I’m about to open my mouth to say something, anything, Honey is there putting our lunches down in front of us. I swear her eyes are twinkling as she looks back and forth between us.
“Thanks, Honey,” I murmur.
“Of course,” her voice is smooth as she starts moving away from us, her smile far too knowing, “if you need anything else, just holler.”
I nod and then stare down at my plate. The silence between us stretches as we start to eat, but there’s something comforting there too, like he’s given me the space and time to process his words while being a solid presence next to me.
“I’m sure it is better when your job is a little boring,” I offer him those words between bites like an olive branch of acknowledgement.
From there we chat about simple things. Music. Movies. Books. I’m surprised to find out we have very similar tastes. It has a giddy feeling rising in my chest which I do my best to tamp down.
Before I know it, my phone’s alarm is going off, and I’m jolted out of whatever fog this man seems to put me into. Normally, I silence it before it goes off because I tend to not linger in the diner when I’m having lunch.
Today is different and it’s all because of him.
When I glance at our plates, I realize we’ve both finished and were just sitting here talking like we’ve known each other for years. It’s strange. And welcoming in a way I’m not ready to examine.
“You need to get back to work?” I nod to answer his question while feeling my cheeks heat from the way he’s looking at me. It’s like hewants to memorize every expression flitting across my face. “Can I walk you?”
“Oh,” surprise is infused into my words, “you don’t have to do that?”
“I know I don’t have to,” he rumbles the words, the tops of his ears pinking slightly; maybe if he didn’t have a beard then I would see him blush. Why does it thrill me? “But I would like to.”
“Okay,” I whisper.
When I go to grab some cash to leave next to my plate, Rhodes stills my hand before pulling out a few bills, which includes a generous tip for Honey. I can only look between the money and him as warmth spreads through my chest.
I can’t even remember the last time someone else paid for my meal, which means it’s been far too long. I’m lost in thought as Rhodes leads me out of Dolly’s Place, but I manage a wave in Honey and Stan’s direction, both of them are smiling in a knowing way which I refuse to think about.
As we step outside, I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. I catch the notes of his smokey, cedar scent and I’m greedy for more. What is it about this man that makes it feel like my stomach is in knots while I also feel a sense of peace which I’m not at all accustomed to?
“What’s one thing you like to do that might surprise someone else?”
His question catches me off guard even though it shouldn’t. It’s not the first question he’s asked which I found to be surprisingly insightful.
With a side-eye I challenge him, “You can’t laugh.”
He holds his hands up, clearly amused, “I would never.”
