My long blonde hair is in a messy braid that hangs over my shoulder. My face must look dull because I’m only wearing some mascara and lip gloss.
“Well, do I get an answer?” he asks, stepping closer to me until we’re mere inches apart. We’re so close I can feel his breath on my cheek.
I roll my eyes and shake my head at him. “I don’t have a boyfriend, but I do have to check on my roommate.”
He nods, smiling and revealing a small dimple on the right side of his face. “I understand that. We can meet you at your apartment while you check on her,” he offers.
“It’s going to be a while. I don’t have a car. I took the bus here.”
“You’re not taking the bus. I’ll take you there.”
I want to take the offer so bad that I disregard all the stranger danger lessons I learned as a kid and give him a nod.
He lets go of my hand until we leave the library, but he has it again as he walks me to his SUV. It’s a new Lincoln MKX in a sleek dark blue that it almost looks black. “Come on, kiddo, get in your seat.”
“Wow, do you have kids?”
“Not yet,” he admits, staring right at me with the hunt in his eyes. He’s thinking of that with me? I’m so out of his league that I’m in A-ball while he’s in the NFL.
I try to ignore the tingling sensation going through me as he steps closer. “Bella’s mom and dad have crazy schedules. I help out when I can, so I got her a car seat.”
“Aren’t you worried that it’ll push women away?”
“Are you bothered by it?” I could see the concern on his face. He thinks that I don’t find it adorable, but it’s freaking sexy as hell to know he’s a caring man especially to a child that’s not his.
“No, but it’s not a chick magnet,” I add. I know I’m fishing for information, but for the first time in my life, I’m actually interested in the answer.
He smirks then remarks, “Good. I’m not trying to meet women. You are just a lucky surprise.” He grabs the handle, opening the front passenger door for me. I climb in, and he says, “Buckle up, ladies.”
“Ready?” he asks, looking around at us, then he hits the start button.
“Can we do something fun, Uncle?” Bella shouts and giggles from the back seat.
“Why don’t you ask Ms. Kate?”
I turn my head to face the back as she does like he tells her to. “Ms. Kate, what do you want to do?” Would it be terrible to say her uncle? I see his hands grip the wheel tightly, thinking maybe we both have the same idea. “I don’t know, but I’m getting hungry.”
“Yay! Can we go get pizza by your house?” she asks her uncle, bouncing in her seat.
“Do you like pizza, Kate?” The cool, smooth way he says my name makes my stomach do flips like a gold medal gymnast.
“Yes,” I squeak out. He then reaches over and slides his hand over mine.
“You don’t have to be uncomfortable. I’ll do anything to make you relax.” His voice is husky and deep as if possessing me with his words. Does he have any idea how much of an effect he has on me? I’m practically panting with desire, so I turn my head and focus on the view outside the window.
“Where’s your apartment?”
“Oh, go up two more blocks, make a left onto thirty-fifth and I’ll tell you when to turn. I live in the large corner red-brick brownstone that’s been converted into an apartment building,” I inform him.
“How long have you lived here?” he asks me.
“Only six months. I’m from the Fort Worth area in Texas. You know, just outside of Dallas.”
“Yeah, I know where you’re talking about. I’ve done some business there,” he adds, as we drive down thirty-fifth.
“There it is,” I point to the building just past the light. He turns and pulls up right in front. “I’ll be a few minutes unless you’ve changed your mind.”
“If you’re not back in a few, I’m coming to get you.” I laugh and jump out and run up the stairs. I’m on the second floor which is a nice workout.
As I unlock the door and enter the apartment, shock hits me like a fucking two by four to the head. I’m standing in the middle of an empty living room. The sofa’s missing along with the television we share. The stained outline of the furniture is the only sign that the apartment had been lived in.
I head over to her bedroom where she was sleeping when I left this morning, but it’s all gone. She’s not there, and her room is bare, completely empty. An eerie feeling hits me, so I head over to my bedroom, bypassing an empty kitchen. I open the door and find almost everything of mine gone.