He stayed with me all night. I didn’t need him to. It was a head cold, but I also didn’t want him to leave. It’s been pure hell turning him down day after day, and when he dropped everything to take care of me, and buy me half of the pharmacy, suddenly my fears were not that big. Sure, I know he can break my heart, but that’s a risk I’m taking.
He just doesn’t know it yet.
After my whispered confession, neither of us brought it up again. I know he thinks it was the cold medicine talking, but it was more than that. The minute he wrapped his arms around me, I knew. It doesn’t matter how many times I turn him away. It’s his touch that I’ll crave. Over the last month, he’s found little ways to touch me, a brush of his hand against mine, his hand on the small of my back, and a hug whenever he gets the chance. Each one chipped away at my resolve. However, when he climbed into bed with me, knowing I was sick, and his arms held me tight, there was no more resistance left in me.
Touch by touch, he’s captured my heart.
Tuesday morning, I had to force him to go home and shower and go to work. I missed him, but he texted and called often to check on me. That night, and every other night this week, he’s brought dinner to my place, but he’s not stayed again. I miss him more now than ever, and I’ve spent more time with him this week. Conrad Riggins is my weakness.
The bell chimes, and I look up to see him walking in. “Hey.” I smile.
“You look like you’re feeling better.”
“Much better. Grant already stopped in and took a box full of stuff to the office.”
“That’s fine. I’m not here for that anyway. I wanted to see you.”
His words have me melting on the inside. “That’s sweet of you. I really am feeling better.”
“Good enough to have dinner out with me tonight?”
I stare at him for a few heartbeats, and the look on his face tells me he might be hopeful, but he expects me to turn him down again. “Pick me up at six?” I ask.
His mouth falls open and closes a few times before a slow, sexy grin pulls at his lips. Bracing his hands on the counter, he leans over and presses his lips to mine. “I’ll see you at six,” he murmurs against my lips.
Pulling away, he walks backward until he reaches the door—his sexy grin on full display. “Have a great day, baby,” he says from the door. Everyone in the bakery stops to look at him and then me. He laughs before pushing out the door.
“What was that about?” Aurora asks. “And did I see him kiss you?”
“I’m not really sure, and yes, he kissed me.”
“And you let him?”
“We’re going on a date tonight.”
“What?” she shrieks. “You’re finally letting him in?”
“Looks like it.”
“That was him staking his claim,” she tells me.
“What are you talking about?”
“That little ‘have a great day, baby,’”—she deepens her voice to sound like him—“was him staking his claim on you.”
“That’s crazy,” I defend, but to be honest, it kind of seemed like it to me as well.
“You do realize that now you’ve said yes, he’s going to pull out all the stops, right?”
I nod. I do know this, and I’m okay with it. In fact, I’m looking forward to it. Fighting him made us both miserable. This week spending time with him has been incredible. I can’t wait to see what tonight holds.
At ten minutes until six, there’s a knock at my door. I expected him to be early, and thankfully, I’m ready. When I pull open the door, he’s standing with his hands over his head, braced on the frame. He’s wearing a pair of dark jeans and a long-sleeve black button-down. He’s sexy and looking at me like I hung the moon.
“Where’s your coat? You’re going to freeze to death.”
“Babe, it’s April in Tennessee. I’m not going to freeze to death.” Dropping his hands, he slides them around my waist and pulls me into him. “You take my breath away.”
“Am I dressed okay?” I’m wearing a long-sleeve black dress that hits just above my knee, with black knee-high boots.
“You’re perfect, Aspen.” His lips land on mine. It’s just a quick peck that leaves us both wanting more. “We need to go now. Because if we stand here a minute longer, I’m canceling our plans and taking you to bed.”
“I am tired,” I tease.
“Come on, funny girl.” He releases his hold on me.
“Let me grab my phone and my coat.” Turning, I grab my coat and my purse, double-checking that my phone is in my purse and that I have my house keys. “Ready.” I make sure to lock the apartment as well as the back-entry door. “So, where are we going?” I ask once we’re in his car and on the road.