“I’ve got this big essay due in a couple of weeks. I’ve gotten most of my research done working here. Now all I have to do is write the thing.”
“And your own work?”
Her face lights up. In all the years I’ve been alive, no smile has ever made me care on such a deep level. It’s shocking how violently the feeling strikes me.
“Yes, that’s not going too terribly either. I’m plotting the whole thing this time, instead of getting halfway through without any idea where I’m going.”
“What’s it about?” I ask.
She tilts her head. For a second, I think she’s going to ask why I care. I can see that’s what she wants to ask. It’s in every muscle in her face, the look in her eyes. But then she visibly decides not to … which is a good thing. If she came right out and said it, I’m not sure I’d be able to hold off from telling her the truth.
Hell, if it wasn’t for the counter between us, I don’t think I’d be able to stop myself from grabbing onto her and pushing her up against the wall, bringing my mouth to hers…
Fuck.
My woman is talking, but I’m too busy daydreaming about stripping her clothes off and revealing her voluptuous perfection.
“Sorry?” I say.
She shakes her head. “It’s fine. It’s boring anyway.”
“It’s not,” I say firmly. “I just drifted off. What did you say?”
“It’s a fantasy romance. I’ve tried like a zillion other genres, but I think this is the one for me. It will sound weird, but it’s about a man trapped in a dragon’s body and this woman – well, she used to be a princess – this witch, I guess, and they have to work together to take down the baddie and free the man. But, during the course of their adventure, they fall in love. The book’s going to end with the dragon becoming a man so they can finally be together.”
She breaks off, breathing heavily as her breath catches up with her enthusiasm.
“But there’s still a lot to sort out. A lot of holes to fill.”
“I’m sure you’ll do amazing,” I tell her.
She giggles and the noise goes right to my base. That’s another benefit of the counter. She can’t look down and see how hard she’s making me.
“How do you figure that?” she asks.
“I can see how passionate you are. In my experience, that’s half the battle. And you clearly have a plan. That’s often the other half.”
“Thank you, Lukas. That’s nice of you to say.”
A pause lengthens between us. I try to think of an acceptable reason for me to hang around her longer. As far as she knows, I told the truth when I said I was just checking in.
She doesn’t know about the torrent raging inside of me, louder and more insistent each moment.
“What time do you finish?” I ask, just to break the silence.
“At two. Then it’s only a short walk to the subway.”
“Wait, what?” I growl, recoiling at the very idea. “You’re riding the subway this late at night? Don’t you have a car?”
“I’ve been trying to get one,” she says, with a note of defensiveness.
I wish there was a way for me to tell her I’m not angry at her. But then I’d have to explain what I am angry about… the thought of my woman being trapped underground this late at night, prey to anyone who decides to set their sights on her.
She’s mine. No one hurts her. Ever.
“So what happened?” I ask.
“I use mom’s some nights, so that’s fine. But she’s been working overtime at the clinic and I have to leave before she gets home. Dad says he wants to come to the dealership with me, but he hasn’t been doing great lately.”
“Okay.” I rest my hands against the desk. “I’m loaning you one of my cars.”
She gasps. “What?”
“Yes, and I don’t want to hear any arguments about it. I’ve got four cars and I only use two of them. Let me give you one—”
“Lukas…”
“Think of it as a favor,” I smirk. “If you take this car, you have to agree to try and persuade Jamie to take the other one and let go of that piece of junk he’s been driving around.”
“But you can’t just give me a car. Loan, I mean. It’s too much.”
I clench my jaw, as words try to escape my lips, words about how painful I find the thought of my woman walking the streets late at night.
Being inside the laundromat is one thing. There are cameras. She can barricade herself in the storage closet if something goes wrong.
I hate that I’m even thinking like this. Anna never had any problems here. Although she did mention a few drunks here and there, telling me she handled it and it was no big deal… the same way Lorena did.