He nodded. “I suppose it would.”
“Whose side will you choose?”
“Stop with the tough questions,” he groaned.
She burst into laughter. “Well, I like to think things through, even if it means thinking about the icky side of things.”
It was his turn to arch a brow at her. “Really?”
That made her burst into laughter. “Okay, I try. I mean, I do think things through, even if it doesn’t look like it. I can be spontaneous, and I will be the first to admit I sometimes make really bad split-second decisions.”
“I believe you do think things through and I don’t think you make bad decisions. I think we all have to do what’s right in the moment. We never know if it was really right or wrong until we have time to reflect. Even then, both decisions could have had negative consequences. You take it in stride and keep moving. That’s what you do. I’ve seen it,” he told her.
They stared at each other, the atmosphere in the air changing. It was electric. He could feel the tension and knew it wasn’t one-sided. There was an undeniable chemistry between them. He’d felt it from the very first moment he saw her, even if she didn’t.
“Ben,” she said his name in a whispered plea.
He reached up, his palm cupping her cheek. She leaned her head into his hand, inhaling deeply. He was content to leave it at that. He wanted her, but he didn’t want to pressure her. He didn’t want her to think he took her out drinking and dancing with the intention of getting laid. His only mission was to show her a good time. There was an ulterior motive if he was being honest.
He wanted to show her how good life could be in San Francisco, with him. She could have a normal life. He could protect her. His goal had been to give her a reason to stay. He hoped it would work.
“Katherine,” he said her name, asking her the question without saying the words.
She leaned forward and kissed him. It wasn’t a mild kiss. It was hot and forceful. She was demanding more. Her tongue pushed inside his mouth, her hand went to the back of his head, pulling him closer as she devoured his mouth with her own. He didn’t know when she had taken off the seatbelt, but it was clear she was free to move and was practically crawling into his lap.
“Ben,” she demanded, reaching between his legs.
“Katherine, not here.”
That seemed to get through. She stopped her attack and pulled back a few inches. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. Let’s get out of here,” he replied.
She sat back in her seat. “I shouldn’t have done that. I don’t know what came over me.”
“Sweetheart, don’t be sorry.”
He started the SUV, did a quick check and pulled into the road, anxious as hell to get home. He was almost afraid to ask her. When he passed the exit that would lead to her street, she didn’t say anything. He took that as the all clear to head to his house. He punched in the security code on his gate and nearly rammed it when it wouldn’t open fast enough.
He pulled around, parking in front of the house instead of the garage and turned off the Range Rover. She didn’t make a move to unfasten her seatbelt. He didn’t want to spook her.
“Katherine?”
She turned to look at him, tears in her eyes. “Thank you.”
“For?”
“Tonight. It was amazing.”
He smiled. “You’re welcome.”
“No, seriously. It was nice to see normal. I mean, like, I’ve seen normal, but I’ve never really got to be a part of normal. Thank you for showing me how to relax and just enjoy life without worrying so much.”
“You didn’t even look over your shoulder once tonight, do you realize that?” he asked in a low voice.
She smiled. “I do now.”
“Life can be good for you here,” he told her, reaching out to touch her hand.