Chapter Twelve #2
Between the three of us, it took no time at all. When we returned to the living room, Duncan was already waiting by the door, car keys in hand.
"Dad, are you coming with us?" Jeremy asked suspiciously.
"No, I'm driving Riley home."
"Oh, okay. Let's go, Grandma," he said. "Bye, Riley. Bye, Dad."
After Susan and Jeremy walked out the door, Duncan shook his head. "Look at him. Mom comes and I'm like a second-class citizen."
"Don't take it so personally," I teased. "He's just happy to be with his grandmother."
After I gathered my tote, we left the condo too. Without Jeremy around, I was more nervous. I knew this was a dangerous path. I couldn't relax around Duncan and needed my guard up.
We were both silent on the way to the car, though I was aware of his every move. He was walking in step with me, and I was fighting every instinct not to lean in closer.
Once inside the car, I took a deep breath. It smelled like him.
Oh, this wasn't the best idea. Why didn't I make an excuse and leave when his mom arrived?
Because deep down, you do want to be alone with him , a little voice said at the back of my mind.
Damn it, that was true.
"Thank you for taking me home, Duncan. You didn't have to do that," I said as he started the engine. He’d initially prodded me to use the car he’d gotten for Jeremy’s excursions anytime I needed it, but I didn’t want to take advantage of him.
Nor did I want anything to happen to the car on my watch.
Occasionally, it was still a point of contention.
He turned to me. "No, but this was the only way I could spend some more time with you."
Wow, this was happening. We weren't dancing around each other anymore.
As I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear, he took my other hand, brushing his thumb over the back of it.
"Is this uncomfortable for you? Am I making you nervous?"
"No, not at all. I really want you to know that I'm not brushing you off tonight, but I promised them that I’d come."
"I understand perfectly. I'm a man of my word too."
My skin simmered at his touch, and not just the exact patch of skin where he was pressing his thumb. The heat was spreading everywhere, and I couldn't stop it. I didn't know how, and I also didn't want to. I didn't have any willpower left.
Letting go of my hand, he started driving, focusing on the road. "I should have told you when I first came up with the idea.”
"Wait, you've thought about this? When?"
"All damn week. You don't know how often you're on my mind, Riley.”
“I tried to leave quickly every evening, not that that actually happened…” Because I didn’t want to. I liked the time we spent together.
“I didn’t want that either. I enjoy spending time with you."
It was on the tip of my tongue to ask more, but I didn't. "We can set something up for next week. To talk more, I mean," I rambled.
Damn it, why was there no traffic? We were going to reach the house in no time, and it wasn't even that close. Was he driving that fast? I needed to spend more time with him.
"Yes, we will," he said. "Fuck, I can’t believe I don't get to spend the evening with you." He drew in a sharp breath. His voice was even huskier than before.
"Come with us," I offered again.
"Don't tempt me." He swallowed hard, glancing at me. "I’m nine years older than you. How would that look, if I went with you and your friends? Clubbing isn’t exactly my scene."
I didn't get it. It wasn't just twentysomethings who went to beach clubs. I bit the inside of my cheek, but I didn't insist. If he didn't want to join us, then I wasn't going to force the issue.
The car slowed down as we reached the house.
"Damn it," I said.
"What's wrong?"
"Don't you want to take a detour or something?"
He frowned. "What?"
I sighed. "I was hoping the drive would take longer."
He groaned. "Riley, stop right there, or instead of dropping you off, I will drive you right back to the condo for dinner ."
The way he said the word made it clear that he had plans far beyond dinner. Sexy plans.
Ugh. Why did I agree to go out with my roommates?
Though right now, I wouldn’t mind in the least if he whisked me back to the condo and did whatever he wanted to with me. But I didn't get a chance because Christine ran out of the house and opened the car door with a grin.
"Finally! We thought you'd never come home. Thank you for bringing her, Duncan." She winked at him.
"My pleasure." His voice sounded robotic.
"Thank you. I'll see you on Monday," I murmured as I got out of the car.
He just nodded.
Maybe this is for the better. Maybe we’ll both cool off by Monday.
Somehow, though, I doubted it. Because there was more I wanted to learn about my boss too.
"You're not really having fun, are you?" Julia asked two hours later.
"What makes you say that?" I was counting down the minutes until I could make an excuse and go home. But I didn't want my friends to feel guilty, so I said, "Come on, let's do some shots."
Julia winked at me. We'd done two rounds, so I was already on thin ice. I thought having a drink or two would make me enjoy this more, but no such luck.
Objectively, it was nice. The music was pleasant, and I liked that it was in an open space.
But in all honesty, this had never been my scene.
Partying always felt like a waste of time, not to mention that I was always exhausted the day after.
But I liked spending time with my friends, so I braved it for them.
After the third shot, Julia decided we needed a fourth one too.
I was going to get drunk if I continued at this pace, but oh, what the hell.
This summer was the last one we had as college girls before we started our jobs.
It was probably one of the last times we were going to do this, and I wanted to enjoy it even though I’d much rather have spent the evening doing something else.
Usually, I would have curled up with a good book, but now other things came to mind.
I could have watched some cartoons with Jeremy and done his evening routine—though by this time, he’d have long been in bed.
Then perhaps Duncan and I could have stayed up chatting, maybe while drinking a glass of wine.
Damn it. I should have forgone this evening to hang out with him.
"You're in deep thought," Julia said. "Do I want to know what you're thinking?"
I shook my head.
"Yeah, I thought so. I bet you’re wondering why you're even here."
I pouted. "Is it that obvious?"
She laughed. "I just know you very well."
"I don't want to be a party pooper."
"Then let's dance."
And dance we did. But the four shots went right to my head, and I couldn’t keep it up for very long.
"I'm going to sit for a bit," I informed them.
"All right," Julia replied. "Want me to sit with you?" She and Christine were dancing as if their lives depended on it.
"No, no. It's all good. You two have fun."
I went to the edge of the perimeter where they'd set up some low chairs and dropped into one of them. Out of reflex more than anything else, I took my phone out of my clutch, checking if I had any missed calls. Although, who would have called me at this hour?
I pressed the button that showed me the last calls and sighed, focusing on Duncan's name. Next thing I knew, I was calling him.
Holy shit. How the hell did that happen?
I tried to press the red button to end the call before it rang at all, but I kept missing the button, and then Duncan's voice resounded through the speaker.
"Riley? Is everything okay?"
I put the phone to my ear. "I'm so sorry. I called you by mistake. Just go back to sleep."
"I wasn't sleeping. Where are you?"
I licked my lips. "Still at the club."
"Everything okay?"
"Yes. I took a break from dancing and sat down. I've had four shots already."
"Jesus!" he exclaimed.
"Hey, what's with the judgy tone?"
"Not judging. I'm worried."
"I'd say you have no reason, but I'm not very good at holding my liquor. I don't get sick or anything, but I can feel myself getting a bit drowsy. Anyway, I was looking at the phone and got to thinking how much I would have rather spent this evening with Jeremy and then just with you alone…"
I stopped talking, covering my mouth with my hand. Oh my goodness. I said that out loud?
Maybe I just imagined it.
"Fuck, you're sweet."
Okay, I didn't imagine it. "I'm sorry I blurted that out. I can't stop thinking about you." Clearly, I couldn't keep myself in check. That was the unfortunate effect tequila had on me.
"Riley!" His voice was lower. "I've been thinking about you nonstop. Oh fuck…"
"I'm sorry I started this conversation. I don't want to make this uncomfortable. I should probably go home."
"I'll pick you up."
Tendrils of heat immediately went through me.
"You want to drive out here and pick me up? I can just Uber."
"I don't want you getting in a car with some stranger right now."
That made me laugh. "That's the point of Uber, and it's safe. It's?—"
"I won't hear of it. I want to be the one to drive you home. Are your friends coming too?"
"No, they'll probably be here until the morning."
My heart was beating out of my chest. I was going to have some alone time with Duncan after all. Suddenly, I didn't want to fight him on this anymore. If he wanted to pick me up, who was I to say no?
"I'll text you the address of the club, if I can manage it."
"Just tell me roughly where it is."
I gave him instructions, and he said, "I'll find it. I'll be there as quickly as possible."
"Thank you, Duncan."
There was something between us—and it wasn’t just chemistry. I didn’t know what it was… but I wanted to find out.