“How about I follow you home, then we’ll drive together the rest of the night.” My offer is only customary. I have no intention of not finding out where she lives tonight. I’m also not letting her drive further than her house.
She blinks like she’s processing my words and the hidden meaning behind them. Her mouth opens and that perfect pink tongue darts out quickly before she closes it again. “Alright,” she finally agrees.
Taking her keys from her, I open her door and get her buckled in before starting the car for her. “Drive safely,” I instruct, kissing her neck lightly before she can dispute what I just did.
Jogging back to my truck, I wait for her to pull out and follow her the short fifteen minutes to her tiny apartment complex. Once she’s parked in her designated spot, I get out of my truck and wait with the passenger door open for her to come over. Marina still has a puzzled expression on her face as she climbs into my vehicle. Grinning at her, I close the door. I think I’ve confused her more because I don’t buckle her in this time.
Rounding the hood quickly, I’m in the truck and lifting up the center console before she can put her seatbelt on. Grabbing her thigh, I pull her over to the middle seat and wrap the belt across her body. I click it into place before doing my own.
She looks from the passenger seat to me and back again before she finally asks, “What was wrong with that seat?” Her petite body fits perfectly against mine. Because of her smaller frame, her legs aren’t crowded by the control panel, and I can touch her.
“Nothing. It’s a perfectly fine seat,” I say, pulling out into the light traffic. “For a friend.”
“I’m not a friend?” she asks, pr
ocessing my words.
“Nope.”
“Oh.” She sounds disappointed. I can’t tell her just yet that she’ll be much more than a friend. She’s not ready for it. I can feel her watching me as I drive, my hand still settled on her thigh. Her subtle shifting in her seat doesn’t go unnoticed by me. I like that I’ve got her nervous. It means she’s aware of me.
I’m not sure of her food preferences, so I take her to a little café my partner Rod takes his wife to and raves about. They serve every kind of soup, gluten-free crap, salads, and hearty sandwiches. There has to be something on the menu she’ll like.
“Here we are,” I say, looking to her to find the most adorable scowl on her face. Rubbing my thumb up the center of her forehead, I smooth the lines out. “You keep pouting like that and it’ll leave a mark.”
Her frown deepens. I chuckle and shake my head as I open the door, helping her out of the vehicle. She follows along quietly, and I wonder, briefly, if I’ve over-stepped some imaginary line with Marina. Fuck do I love that name. As soon as the thought hits, I dismiss it. She hasn’t pushed me away yet, and until she does, I’ll keep going full-steam ahead.
“Detective Daniels!” I hear a feminine voice call as soon as we enter the café. Marina’s hand in mine stiffens, so I ignore whoever’s calling me and pull the woman at my side into my arms.
Burying my face in her hair and neck, I breathe in her scent. She’s like that first day of spring, full of life and fresh as a lily. “Damn girl, you smell good enough to eat.” I pull back smirking when her breath hitches.
“Arsen?” That same voice sounds closer.
Marina’s eyes cloud over.
“Yeah,” I snap, turning around.
The girl smiles up at me, ignoring Marina completely. “Do you remember me?” Her face is eager.
I’m not one to forget faces very often, but I can’t place her. “Nope.” If it weren’t for the fact she knows my name, I’d walk away.
“Rod and Emily set us up on a blind date last year.” Her grin turns predatory as she steps forward.
It finally clicks. All she could do was talk about herself. I think, throughout the entire evening, I spoke about a dozen words. That led to her talking gossip and other shit that I tuned out. There was a reason it was only one date. Go fucking figure she’d be here today of all damn days.
“Right. How are you?” I don’t even remember her name.
“Fabulous. I’d love to go out with you again. It was such a memorable evening for me.” Her smile is so wide I can see her molars.
“Obviously not for him,” Marina mumbles from beside me, and I have to stifle my laughter.
“Oh, hi.” The nameless woman looks snidely at Marina. “You must be his sister.” This chick couldn’t buy a clue.
And I’m fucking done with this now. “Girlfriend, actually.” I tug Marina closer to my side.
“What?” They both gasp at the same time.
“See you around,” I reply as I guide Marina to an empty table for two in the corner. I have zero desire to be near that woman any longer than necessary.