How can that even be? Can I push it out of my system? Do I want to?
At first, I saw a sweet woman who not only read to kids, but she even helped out her sick roommate. Now, I see a broken kindhearted woman who needs to be treated right.
We leave the apartment, and I help the ladies then load her two suitcases worth of clothes.
Her phone rings as I close the trunk.
“Hey, Mom. No, I’m okay.” I jump in the front seat and start it up. “I don’t have an account at the moment. I know, but my account was hacked into, and they cleared out all the money in it.” She rolls her eyes. “Yes, I know. I should come back home. I know. Mom, I’ll call you later.”
“What’s going on?” I ask harsher than I should have but hearing that she wants to go home burns in my chest. Not when I just found her.
“She wanted to send me money, but I don’t have a bank account. Then I can go back to Texas.”
“To visit?” I toss out, pretending to be indifferent.
“No, to go back and admit defeat.” She releases a heavy sigh. It’s written all over her that surrendering isn’t something she wants to do.
“Admit defeat? You were swindled. You’re not the first person who’s fallen victim to thieves. And I’m not going to let them get away with it,” I promise. I have connections, and it’s time I used them.
“I’m hungry, Uncle Aiden,” Bella complains from the backseat.
“Do you want to have the pizza delivered?” I offer, knowing she isn’t feeling up to being in public.
“Could we?” she pleads. This woman brings out the protector, the provider in me.
Nodding, I answer softly, “Absolutely, besides I think someone’s a little sleepy.”
“I’m not tired,” Bella yawns out. We smile, and I take Kate’s hand in mine and bring it to my lips, kissing it tenderly before driving off. I know I’m pushing my luck, but if not on the luckiest day of the year, then when?
“What do you do?” she asks as we jump onto the expressway.
“I’m an accountant,” I confess, but I don’t tell her that I own the accounting firm. I handle a lot of the city’s wealthiest clients and businesses. It’s a luxury that has given me more financial security than I can ever dream of.
Her face twists in disbelief. “Accountant? You don’t look like an accountant.”
“Sorry, I left my round glasses at home,” I tease, giving her a crooked smile.
“Ooh, Harry Potter glasses? I love Harry Potter.”
I shrug, only teasing about my glasses being round. Most times they’re just for reading. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen the movies.”
Her mouth widens like I said I liked to strangle puppies or something. “Really? Where have you been?”
I chuckle at her expression. “Sorry, but they’re not my kind of movies.”
“Oh, see now that means we’re not going to work out,” she exclaims, pulling her hand from mine and crossing her arms in a playful huff. “I’m still waiting for my letter to Hogwarts.”
“Well, I hope they get your new address,” I state, loving the way her eyes light up with humor. I could kiss her. Damn, I want to kiss her. I want so much more.
“Oh, they know where to find anyone,” she remarks with a raised brow, holding back a smile.
“So it’s a deal breaker then?” I question, turning onto Lake Shore Drive. My condo isn’t too far now. A part of me can’t wait to get her up there, but I know if I do, I’ll never let her go.
“No really, but I’m addicted. What kind of movies do you like?”
“Action and crime thriller types,” I confess, snatching her hand in mine again.
“Nice. Those work for me too.”
“Good, maybe we can watch a movie when she goes to sleep,” I offer. I hold back the thoughts of what the movie could turn into.
It’s lucky that Bella’s with us. I can’t scare my woman away with my hunger. I can’t even let go of her hand as I drive. What has become of me?
“I’d like that.”
I pull into my underground garage after several more drunk people stroll past us with their green hats, clothes, sunglasses, and green and gold beads.
“They look like they’re having fun.” She sounds almost envious of them.
“They certainly are. Do you like to go out?”
“No, I don’t like that. I’m a book and movie nerd. They just look happy.”
“What do you read?”
“I read lots of genres, but my favorite is the paranormal romance.”
“Really? Vampires or Werewolves?”
“What? How do you know about that?”
“I have a sister who was going through that phase when she came to live with me after my parents died,” I divulge.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. They died the way they lived. Partying.” I don’t know why I’m revealing so much about my past, but I can’t stop myself. I want her to know me.