The Reluctant Romantics Box Set (The Fall, The Mind, The Heart)

“Don’t be upset. I assured her you were in good hands.”

I blinked my eyes repeatedly to clear the lingering sleepiness then studied him carefully. His expression was amused but heated. His dark hair flowed around his face and his bulging arms were resting on my knees as I pulled my comforter closer to me. Grant pulled his full lips into his mouth, as if he wasn’t exactly sure what he was doing in my room either.

“Seriously, Grant, get out of my room and my apartment.”

He seemed to make up his mind on something before he spoke. “I came to see you. I know it’s late. I was hoping to spend a little time with you.”

I looked at the clock and saw it was 11P.M.

“I’m a fourth-year med student, Grant, and I need my sleep. I threw the comforter off me, saw him glance at my black negligee, and was suddenly thankful that I had chosen it to wear tonight of all nights. Usually, it was a stained t-shirt and boy shorts, or worse. His eyes immediately found mine and I sucked in a deep breath.

“I don’t know how they do things where you’re from, but this is not the norm here!” I was reacting the way I should, but I really wasn’t afraid. Although I had labeled him a lunatic, I really didn’t believe it to be true. Delusional maybe, but not completely crazy.

“Look, Rose, I know I’m being a creep, but if you don’t get some clothes on right now, I will kiss every inch of skin I see.”

“The hell you will,” I said, praying for just one second that he would make good on his threat.

He leaned in close before he whispered, “Where should I start?”

“I’m up, now turn around.”

Sighing heavily, I grabbed the jeans off the floor then slipped them on. I raced to my closet and grabbed a sweatshirt and bra before making my way to the bathroom.

What in the hell was he doing here? Was Jennifer out of her mind? Did she care so little for me that she trusted me in the hands of a stranger? And who in the hell comes to visit a woman this late? I quickly changed, brushed my teeth, and then met him in my living room. He was scanning the photos on our wall but then stopped, standing directly in front of one of me. When he noticed me in the room, he turned and gave me a smile that nearly knocked me on my ass. I couldn’t help but smile back and was sure my next statement held no weight because of my stupid grin.

“This is not okay. You have to go, and I’ve got two labs tomorrow.”

“Just give me an hour or two, okay? I really want this time with you.”

“Why? You don’t know me...like at all.”

“I know a few things. I know that you were a total nerd in college and that you dated the same guy all four years. I know that you eat like a man and you love rap music. I also know you haven’t been on a date in a year.”

“What?! How do you know all that?” I crossed my arms in front of my chest, both embarrassed and defensive.

“I’ve been to The Bistro every day this week looking for you. I found Jennifer. She’s easy to bribe. Let’s go.”

“And my address?” I ask suspiciously.

“Same scenario,” he said dismissively, as if it weren’t important.

“Where could you possibly take me this late?”

He was a tree in my living room, a walking, talking, beautiful tree, solid and strong as he replied, “It’s a surprise.”

“A ‘drag me into the woods where no one finds my body for months and I deteriorate in the hot Texas sun, being eaten by wild animals’ surprise?”

“Look, I know it’s less than the ideal time for a date, but I just got off of my shift and I don’t have much time left. Will you just please take my word for it? This isn’t how I normally do things and, Rose, I could never hurt you. You could only hurt me.” I looked at his face and saw his sincerity, but I still wasn’t biting.

“Give me your license,” I demanded.

“What?”

“You heard me,” I said, holding out my hand. “If I’m going to leave my apartment with a complete stranger, I’m going to need some insurance.”

He reached into his back pocket and chuckled as he handed me his license. I walked over to my computer desk, scanned it in, and attached it to an email to Dallas, stating if I ended up missing this was the man who took me.

He peered over my shoulder and let out a loud laugh. “She ought to enjoy that tomorrow.”