“I’d call that a pretty excellent combination.”
“The best,” he whispers before kissing the side of my neck. “Stay with me tonight.”
“Okay,” I say quietly, scared to break the moment. Of course, I’ll stay. The only thing I want to do right now is keep this feeling. Keep feeling like I’m special and wanted.
Leger presses one more kiss to my neck before slowly pulling out of me. I whimper at the lost contact, and it frightens me how attached Ialready am to him. I shouldn’t be this attached already. We need time to know each other, right?
Time doesn’t matter when the connection is this strong,the devil on my shoulder chimes in.
It’s too much to think about at the moment. For once, I want my brain to shut up so I can enjoy the rest of my night with Ledger.
I collapse onto the bed when he gets up to get rid of the condom. I’m shocked as shit when he comes back with a warm washcloth and cleans me up too.
It’s all very domesticated, and all I want to do is find a way to keep it forever.
Chapter 26
Ledger
The past three weeks have been incredible.
Ainsley and I have gotten into a decent routine. We don’t see each other every day, but we do talk every day, whether it’s at work or on the phone after work. She’s even talked me into doing some video chats, which is something I won’t even do for my siblings, much to Willow’s chagrin.
It’s been good. Hell, it’s been more than good. Things have beeneasy, and it’s beyond refreshing. And the only complaint I have right now is that I want more time—more time together, more time doing things like going on dates. Just … more time.
But Ainsley is dead set against keeping this thing between us a secret for now, and I don’t want to do anything to push her away.
The good news is we have an actual date tonight. The first one since coming back from Vegas, and I’m itching for some real quality time together that isn’t sneaking into her house when it gets dark. Almost a month since our last proper date is too long for me.
We’re driving almost forty-five minutes away to the neighboring town of Rosedale, which has some nicer restaurants and where no one knows us.
I don’t care what it entails, as long as I can take Ainsley on an actual date. I want her to know that I’m in this for real, and that means treatingher how she should be treated. Dates are just a tiny aspect of that, but it’s a start.
I’m picking her up in fifteen minutes, and by picking her up, I mean I’m slowly driving by her house so she can jump in and make sure no one sees us.
I’ve been staring at my closet for entirely too long, trying to figure out the best thing to wear. We’re going to an Italian place, and although it’s not terribly fancy, I do want to impress Ainsley. I would love nothing more than to ask Rina or Willow, but then they would ask too many questions. And I honestly don’t know how well I would lie to them, either. I’ve never needed to before.
Finally deciding on my best dress pants and a nice polo, I take one last look in the mirror before heading out to my truck.
When I’m close to Ainsley’s house, I take a quick look around and don’t see anyone, but still slow down to a crawl before I see her pop out the front door and jog to the truck. I hate this. I hate feeling like we’re in high school, sneaking around, when all I want to do is show her off.
She looks gorgeous. The green tank top dress she’s wearing makes her hair come alive. She has light make-up on, and her hair is pulled up into a sleek ponytail.
“Hey, beautiful,” I say as she climbs in.
“Hey, let’s go before someone drives by,” she hurries out.
My chest aches at her words. I know this is the best thing right now and it’s what she wants, but I don’t want to hide. I don’t want to omit this huge part of my life from my family, and most of all, I want to yell to the world that I finally got the girl.
But I know she needs more time, and I need to be patient. I can do this for a few more weeks. No problem. If I keep telling myself that, maybe I’ll believe it eventually.
I speed away, tires squealing, causing Ainsley to giggle in her seat, and it soothes my uncertain soul for the moment.
Giggling Ainsley is one of my favorite Ainsleys.
“So, where are we going?” She asks once we’re finally out of town five minutes later.
“We’re going to Rosedale.”
