Aurora steps out of my hold and slides her arms into her coat. I watch as she grabs her purse and a small bag that I know has a change of clothes packed neatly inside. I hide my grin by biting down on my cheek. Now is not the time to gloat.
Walking toward her, I offer her my hand, and she hesitates. Her eyes dart to her sister, then back to me, and then to my hand that’s still suspended in the air waiting for her. I watch her as she straightens her spine and exhales slowly before placing her hand in mine. It’s a small victory, but one I’m going to take all the same. It’s going to be a lot of baby steps with Aurora, and I’m good with that. I don’t know who hurt her, but I hope one day she’ll tell me. In the meantime, I’ll be sure to prove to her that she doesn’t have anything to worry about when it comes to me.
I can’t explain it, but I’m drawn to her unlike any woman ever before. To me, that’s reason enough to stick around and see where this goes. With her hand in mine, I lead us out to my SUV. Taking the bag from her hands, I place it in the back seat before opening her door for her. Once she’s in, I jog around and climb behind the wheel.
“Please tell me that whatever we’re doing it’s inside,” she says as soon as my door is shut.
“Yes. I want to get to know you, not give you frostbite,” I tease.
“Good.” She rubs her hands together. “I was about to jump out if you’d given me any other answer.”
“The objective is to keep you with me today as long as I can, not push you away.” I keep my eyes focused on the road, but I can feel her stare. “What?” I ask, glancing over once I’m at the Stop sign.
“Why me?”
“Have you looked in the mirror lately?”
“Precisely why I am asking the question.”
Something stirs inside me at her words. I can’t really describe it—anger, sadness, and even determination to make her see herself how I do. Checking my mirrors, I signal to pull over and park on the side of the street. Putting the SUV in Park, I take off my seat belt and turn to face her. “I know we don’t know each other really well, but let me tell you something about me. What you see is what you get. I’m not going to blow smoke up your ass to try and manipulate you. You’re gorgeous. I don’t know who has convinced you otherwise, but I’d like to introduce him to my fist. So, we have a rule.”
“A rule?” she asks.
“Yes, a rule. When you’re with me, none of that ‘why me’ bullshit. You’re here sitting next to me because I want you to be. I want to get to know you, and today is how we start that process. Nothing more and nothing less. Got it?”
“Do I get to make rules too?” she sasses back.
“Name it.” I love that she’s being bold. That she’s inserting herself into whatever this is between us. I don’t like the thought of her being passive about me, about us, or hell, about anything.
“I-I’ll get back to you,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest.
I silently curse the coat that’s hiding her breasts from me. “When you think of one, you let me know.” With that, I pull back onto the street and head toward a small diner on the edge of town. Norma’s is a staple, and only locals really know about it. They also have the best home-cooked food in town. It’s a place my family and I used to frequent a lot growing up, and I want to share that with her.
“I didn’t even know this place existed,” she says as I pull into the parking lot.
“That’s the best part. Stay there. I’ll get your door.”
“I’m capable,” she tells me.
“Rule number two, I get to treat you the way you deserve to be treated. I’ll get your door,” I say again, pulling my keys from the ignition and rushing to her door.
Chapter 6
Aurora
“That was delicious, thank you,” I tell Grant, pushing my plate of half-eaten pancakes away from me.
“You barely ate any of it. Are you not hungry?” There’s genuine concern in his voice, which is not something I’m used to. Not from a man, that is.
How do I tell him that it’s my insecurities and the past evil in my mind that keeps me from letting loose and enjoying our breakfast together? “I’m full.” I smile big, hoping he believes me. It’s not a lie. I’m satisfied, but I could have eaten the entire thing easily.
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing we’re going to have a good lunch as well.”