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K.A. Linde
Come What May
But this is something you can't disguise
It's not just me, you feel it too
'Cause you know I belong with you
Look at where we're going
Tell me what can I say
We're tracing our footsteps
We're going the same way
-Hanson "Madeline"
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Chapter 13: Present
"Where are you taking me?" Lexi asked Ramsey for what felt like the hundredth time since they had been driving. She hadn't thought much of it at first, but then as her mind registered the direction the car was taking them she began to get more suspicious.
For some reason, she had expected them to stay in Buckhead and have dinner at a fancy five star restaurant over candlelight. Perhaps serenade her with live classical music, red wine, and caviar. Show off his wealth to reel her in. She wasn't sure what had triggered that idea beyond just the fact that she'd assumed that all people in Country Clubs went on ridiculously impressive dates. Jennifer, her college dorm mate, had told her many times about extravagant opulence displayed before her by men her parents had set her up on dates with. Lexi had always been wary of those types of stories and wondered if women actually succumbed to such antics. After one too many towels on Lexi's dorm door confirmed that they did actually work as Jennifer proved time and time again. Lexi slowly became adjusted to the fact that lavishness was more like a prerequisite.
To be honest, she was almost relieved that she didn't have to subject herself to another awkward situation such as what occurred at the Country Club. She hadn't exactly wanted to go on this…outing with Ramsey, but after how well he had treated her she had given in. He had called it a date and she certainly couldn't forget his words. He had smiled so brilliantly at her acceptance that she had almost been duped into believing she had made the right decision by going out with him. But how could she really feel like that? He had so many strikes against him already. Setting aside the kindness he had showed at his party, he was a member of a Country Club, he was related to Bekah, and clearly had no concern for others personal boundaries.
All in all, she figured this was a huge mistake.
Her brain was working in overdrive attempting to discern where he was taking her. His forced silence on the subject only made her more curious…and just a little bit tentative. She had really only known this guy for one day, and the only good quality she had recognized besides his charming good looks was that he hadn't slept with her.
So maybe that was pretty big for guys, but she had blacked out and was entrusted into his care by his sister. Obviously that meant something to him or at least she hoped so.
"Really Ramsey, where are we going? We're getting pretty close to my parents' house, which I should remind you, is very far away from your place," she told him.
"We're close to your parents' place?" he asked glancing over at her.
Lexi twisted her fingers back and forth in her lap uncomfortable at the admission that she had just revealed more information. Not that she was ashamed of her family by any means. In fact, she really got along with her parents and two younger sisters. But after being reminded of the Country Club, expensive Buckhead condominiums, and insane parties that resulted from being surrounded by such wealth, Lexi didn't really feel comfortable explaining middle class to someone who had never had a bank account with less than seven digits. She had never even taken her best friend, Chyna, home, and she loved the girl to death.
"Uh, I guess. I mean I don't really know where we are," she explained trying to maneuver the conversation back to their destination and farther away from her.
He obviously picked up on her concern and refrained from commenting on the nearness of her family. Though, he didn't keep it far from his mind. "We're close," he said adding a wink at the end.
"We're close?" she asked arching an eyebrow.
"Are you not close? I mean you are sitting right next to me," he commented trying to keep the devilish smirk off of his face.
She smiled brightly happy that she was still capable of flirtatious banter with someone other than Jack. "Oh yes…in the sense," she said looking at him from under her eyelashes.
He busted out laughing in a loud boisterous uninhibited manner that she had witnessed at the Country Club before brunch. It had annoyed her the day before even confused her a little, but maybe that was just part of his personality. Perhaps, there was more to him than what met the eye, but she wasn't going to keep her hopes up. She'd be polite and let him take her out to dinner for one night, because that had been his request.
Fine. She could handle herself for one night. Her last date had been months ago, and only at Chyna's demand. Lexi figured if she just cut back her annoyance for a night she might actually have a good time. Well that is if she ever figured out where she was going.
"So how close are we?"
He jerked his head to the side at her husky tone. He had liked her when they had first met, because she had been completely forthright with him. She cared very little for his status, and showed it. He liked her the night before when she had been drunk, unrestrained, and outgoing. Her endearing personality only intensified with the alcohol. But this woman he was with tonight, he seemed to think he liked the best of all. He saw her possess the same strong-willed determination and unblemished character she revealed in the morning and the natural engaging playfulness that resulted from a combination of liquors. He could certainly get used to her surprising personality.
His eyes roamed her face resting where her bottom lip was caught between her teeth in a thoughtful expression. God, she had tasted so good the night before; he honestly wasn't sure how he had been able to restrain himself. He hadn't told her that she had propositioned him in her drunken stupor. He was almost certain that a woman of her caliber would be mortified that she had been so willing to give herself away. Possibly even more mortified that he had turned her down flat. That he'd had to peal her arms off of him and practically wrestle her under the covers, he had also left out of the story. Still when she had managed to weasel her arms back around him pressing her tiny form against him, he had still found the strength to extract her eager body from him. He remembered just how ready his body had reacted to her.
He gulped and attempted to force those thoughts out of his head. That would get him nowhere with her now, and he needed to focus on driving so they could officially begin their first date in the first place.