Traction (The Driven World)

Glancing at her, I shrug it off. “Today was something else,” I confess. “I’ve never been on a real date. This was fun.”

“I haven’t been on a date unless you call going out with a few girls from college dates, but that wasn’t just me and someone else. It was always group outings, which left me bored since they would always find someone to hook up with.”

I turn to her, to face her fully, and take her other hand in mine as well. Meeting her gaze, I hold it, wanting her to see the truth in mine. “I want to do this again and again.”

Her tongue darts out, licking her lips, which once again ignites the fire in my gut. Passion lingers in her gaze, and I lean in close, allowing her to close the distance, and she does.

Our mouths meet in a gentle kiss. Nothing like our previous two, this one is affectionate. After admitting her heartbreak to me, I want to show her that I’m here for her, but I’m also someone she can trust. I don’t grip her ass like I want to. I don’t press my body against hers like I crave. Instead, I allow her to lean up and deepen the kiss.

Her tentative tongue takes control, and she gently brushes it along mine, the movement making my cock ache painfully. My body is rigid as I attempt to reign in my need. I’m so hungry to devour her, to taste every inch of her, but for now, I enjoy the sweetness of our third kiss.

Haelee pulls free after a long moment, and she grins up at me. “That was nice,” she informs me with a shyness that belies the sassiness that comes out to play sometimes.

“It was. And it’s one of many. Because fuck, I love kissing you.” My admission causes her blush to deepen, and she looks absolutely gorgeous. “Let’s get you home. I want to stop by my place before we do. I need to pick up something. Is that okay?”

“Of course.”

We make our way to the car, slide in, and I turn on the music. We’ve spoken a lot today, and I want to give her a moment’s reprieve. Also, I need to collect my thoughts. I’m sure dinner with her mother tonight will be interesting. Also, I’m convinced her mom will have questions for me. Mothers dote on their daughters, and it’s possibly up to Haelee to show her mom how much I care for her. Even though the first impression Haelee got of me wasn’t perfect, I want to make it up to her every day. But I hope I can make both her and her mom see I’m a good person.

Only time will tell.

But whatever happens, I don’t want to lose Haelee.15HaeleeStepping into Kayden’s apartment is like walking into one of those places I always see in magazines. Dark walls and navy-blue couches make the room feel smaller than it is. The windows reach from floor to ceiling, overlooking the ocean.

“Your place is incredible. The dark walls definitely are different,” I tell him as we move deeper into the room. I notice him staring at me with expectation in his gaze. “What?”

“It’s strange having you here,” he admits. “Not in a bad way, I just mean … I don’t know what I mean. Would you like a tour?” For the first time since meeting him, Kayden seems nervous. I like seeing him unsure of himself because it sets me at ease. It allows me not to feel like so much of an inexperienced girl.

“Yes, I’d like a tour, but only if you’re willing to give me one.” He smiles at my words, which in turn makes me smile. He takes my hand, like he has done several times today, and leads me through the living room down the hallway until we hit a door, which Kayden opens, and a burst of bright comes from inside.

It has to be his bedroom. It’s humungous. But what makes it so bright is the fact that two of four walls are made of glass. The view is breathtaking. Even though the late afternoon has turned dreary, there’s still a lot of light coming in.

The bed that sits against one of the black walls is positioned so that when you wake up, all you see are the waves crashing along the shore in the distance. He has thick charcoal carpet, which feels like sponge as I step on it. The softness underfoot allows for a silent entry into the bedroom.

There is a fourth wall made up entirely of black wooden doors. The middle one is open, though, offering up a slight view of the attached bathroom, which from where we’re standing, I can only make out the shower.

“This is my private sanctuary,” Kayden says, dragging me out of the awe that’s currently gripped me. “The only place that’s just mine.”