Chapter Six – Verity
CHAPTER SIX
VERITY
H is hazel eyes trap me with a mischievous glint. This close in the daylight, I can see flecks of green peppered throughout the light brown color. His breath ghosts over my lips as he leans in even closer, and I stop breathing for a second as I try to get my head on straight.
“Nope,” I choke out, my voice wobbly.
“Really?”
“Yup. I have a four-date minimum rule.”
I absolutely do not have this rule. Hell, I’ve kissed on the first date plenty of times. But I’m pretty sure if he kisses me right now, I will implode on the spot and cease to exist.
“Four dates?”
“Four dates. It’s my lucky number.”
More lies.
My lucky number is eight.
“Are you sure I can’t change your mind? Halve that into two?”
He hypnotizes me with his smirk, drawing my attention completely to his lips and tempting me even further. This is why I ran away from him the other night. The pull from being in his orbit is too strong—it totally messes with my alignment and causes my brain to melt.
I want to give in and kiss him, but I also promised myself that I’d go slow with the next guy I like. Which unfortunately just happens to be Cullen. After wasting three pointless weeks canceling plans because of No-Show Mike, I refuse to fall into the same trap.
Cullen is hot, but how can I trust that he won’t flake on me as well?
He is another real estate guy, who is probably always on the grind chasing his next big deal.
I need a breather to make sure he isn’t just love-bombing me with sweet words and flowers only to stop texting me once he leaves the state.
Ugh, another reason why I shouldn’t kiss him. He isn’t even living here and I am way too naive for a long-distance relationship. Knowing my luck, I’d end up on one of those dating documentaries about women who got totally fleeced in a virtual relationship.
I swallow thickly, taking a short step back and putting some much-needed space between our lips.
“Nope. You’ll just have to wait till the fourth date.” I try to sound confident, try to give off an assured air, but I’m really not good at faking it.
“So that means you’ve already agreed to another two dates? Okay, fine by me, angel.”
My lips part as I try to comprehend how I walked myself right into that trap. Cullen gives me a wolfish grin as though he knows he’s the lion who has just cornered the gazelle. He is a smooth-talker, and I constantly find myself slipping under his spell.
Cullen doesn’t wait for my response. He just readjusts my hold on his elbow and stands back at my side, continuing our walk down the street.
I will my heartbeat to slow down—I can feel it pounding against my chest with the remnants of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I am barely surviving our second date; how the hell am I going to get through two more of these?
Cullen is like a tornado, whirling into my life and turning it upside down, but hell if I’m not a storm chaser, addicted to the rush.
Loud chatter draws my attention, and I glance around until I land on a storefront with a decent line of people waiting to get inside. I nudge Cullen to the edge of the sidewalk so I can crane my neck to get a better look.
Something about the logo on the awning looks familiar, and it takes a couple of seconds before it clicks.
“Oh! I’ve heard of this place before.” I point to the store. “They make these crème br?lée donuts that are all over social media.”
I remember Hannah sending me videos of them recently.
The store had just gone viral a month or so back, and everyone said they were worth the hype.
She’d tried to get in line to grab a few for us but said that the store had sold out after she’d been in line for almost an hour.
She was in a mood for the rest of the day.
“Do you want to try them?”
“I don’t know. The line’s pretty nuts.” I don’t want to drag him along and make him wait for what could be forever. I highly doubt he would want those other two dates if I bore him with that.
He checks his watch. “What if we don’t have to wait?”
“I’d say there are about thirty people who would disagree with that.”
“Come on, trust me.”
He pulls me along, and my curiosity heightens as he skirts around all the queuing customers and slips us into the store. I try to ignore everyone’s stares and absorb some of Cullen’s nonchalant confidence. Some people grumble as he squeezes us inside, but it doesn’t seem to bother him at all.
The store has a rich vanilla scent to it that mingles with various undertones of all the different flavored donuts that sit in a giant display case. Two workers buzz behind the case, pulling out various donuts and placing them in boxes or paper bags. My mouth waters as I take it in.
Cullen bypasses it all and heads straight to the end of the counter, where a petite, older woman with graying hair is checking people out at the register.
“Doris, how are we?”
Her wrinkly gaze shifts briefly to stare at Cullen, and recognition melts her stern features.
“Cullen, what’re you doing here?”
“Stealing some donuts.”
She lets out a disapproving cluck. “You know she hates it when you do that.”
“She loves me. Can you call her over?”
I’m not sure who she is, but I really hope it’s his mother or aunt and not some female friend who turns out to be a long-lost crush. Although, I’m not sure I could handle meeting Cullen’s mother right now. That’s not exactly second-date material.
Doris finishes handing a box of donuts to the family she was checking out before opening a set of swinging double doors and shouting for someone named Chloe. She shuffles back to the register and gives Cullen a nod.
“Stand to the side while you wait, boy. I’ve got paying customers to serve.”
Cullen gives her a grin and goes to lean against the wall, bringing me along with him. He tucks me close to his side, hand still plastered to my waist. His thumb draws lazy circles on my skin through the soft material of my top, and it causes my brain to short-circuit.
When he does things like this, it’s hard to remember the reason why I’m trying to keep some distance between him and my heart.
I’d told him the other night that I prioritize dating guys who would spend quality time with me and who affirm their affection through words, but I’d left out how physical contact also makes me melt.
Who am I kidding? I am a poster child for every single love language under the sun. There isn’t one better than another. I am greedy for them all, and maybe that’s why I always end up with men who are completely devoid of them.
Except Cullen seems to be steadily checking all the boxes, and that makes me worry for my sanity. As the odds keep stacking in his favor, I can’t help but wonder what fault he is secretly hiding.
“Is everything all right?”
A gorgeous brunette in a soft peach-colored apron pushes through the double doors, her brows pulled together with concern. Tendrils of hair have escaped her bun and are sticking to her forehead, and a light dusting of what is probably flour and jam sticks to her forearms.
Doris inclines her head toward Cullen, and the brunette’s frazzled expression morphs into one of pleasant surprise.
“Cullen!” She gives him a stunning smile, and my stomach immediately sours.
But her warm greeting is short-lived as that frown reappears.
“Seriously. Do you have any idea how busy I am? It’s peak rush hour, and I have a fresh batch of maple bacon donuts waiting to be glazed.
This better be important.” She swats him with the back of her hand, leaving a smattering of flour on his shirt sleeve.
“Ah, yes, I missed you, too. I’m doing well, thanks for asking. Work is nuts, and I’m getting ready to move into the new apartment at the end of the month, not that you’ve offered to help, but I still wanted to come see you.”
“You’re acting like you don’t have a fancy moving company helping you.
” She purses her lips and crosses her arms like an upset child.
It’s then that her hazel stare lands on me, and her right eyebrow rises slightly.
Her attention dips to where Cullen’s hand squeezes my waist, causing her lips to part slightly.
“Chloe, this is Verity. Verity, this is my sweet sister.”
Oh.
Oh, duh.
Now that I’m not viewing her as a potential unrequited lover, the family resemblance is glaringly obvious.
“Hi.” I stick my hand out awkwardly.
Chloe wipes her palm on her apron before placing her hand against mine. “Hi, it’s lovely to meet you. I didn’t know Cullen was dating someone.”
“Oh, we’re not—I mean, we—” Well, we’re on a date, our second date, which means that technically we are dating.
But there are so many different interpretations of what dating means.
I wouldn’t consider Cullen and me to be dating dating, not yet.
And that’s also totally not something I would say to his sister that I just met. “We’re not dating.”
“You look awfully cozy for people who aren’t dating.”
It’s the same thing Sonny said, and I start to wonder exactly what people see when we’re together. It’s kind of nice to know that people look at us and assume we’re a couple—it means the connection I feel isn’t totally in my head, that other people see it as well.
“We’re not dating yet ,” Cullen corrects. “I’m trying to convince her. Which is why I wanted to show off with your donuts.”
“Oooh.” Chloe draws out the word with a conspiratorial grin. “I see.” She claps her hands together. “Okay, wait a second.” She disappears back through the double doors.
I give Cullen a nudge with my elbow.
“Yet?”
He leans his head down, so there are just a few inches between us and whispers, “Yet.” The single word holds a deep, carnal promise in it that skates over my skin and causes me to shiver.
Chloe pops back out and hands us a large white paper bag.
“Here, I got you a fresh batch of everything. I would love to chat a bit more, but I really do need to get back to the kitchen. I hope to see you again, Verity.” She gives me a wink and a wiggle of her fingers before slipping back into the kitchen.
“It was great seeing you, too,” Cullen shouts at the swinging doors.
“Come on, let’s not bother her more.” I drag Cullen back through the throng of people, keeping my focus on our escape instead of the rapid beating of my heart.
There’s a small park on the opposite side of the street, and we make our way over to one of the spare green metal benches.
We take the box out of the bag, and I have to tamp down my squeal when Cullen opens the lid to reveal the glistening goodies inside.
Chloe went all out, giving us three of her signature crème br?lée donuts plus three additional ones of differing flavors.
One has a white frosting top with crumbled Oreos, another has a pink glaze with freeze-dried strawberries and a chocolate drizzle, and the last looks like it’s a peanut butter and jelly concoction. I’m in heaven.
I also totally have to save one of these for Hannah, or else she might murder me in my sleep.
I carefully take out a crème br?lée one and admire the hard sugar exterior that shines on top of the warm donut.
There are little gold flecks pressed into it, making it seem even more luxurious.
Without waiting another second, I dive in.
The glaze gives a satisfying crack as I bite into it, before giving way to the creamy yellow filling.
The rich flavors explode in my mouth, with touches of vanilla and sweet cream.
“This is even better than I imagined,” I groan, turning to Cullen, who is watching me through heated eyes. “What?”
“Those little noises you make are so fucking sexy.”
Butterflies take flight in my chest at his guttural tone. I’ve been complimented by men before, but somehow the way Cullen says the word ‘sexy’ has my body temperature soaring.
I’m not sure how to respond. I’m not even sure how to keep eating.
This man keeps tipping me off course.
He throws an arm over the back of the bench, angling his body toward me, capturing me completely. It’s a simple move but so attractive at the same time. His fingers trace my shoulder, and any intelligent thought disappears from my mind.
“I was serious before Verity. Won’t you give me a chance?”
I have no idea what he’s referring to, but I’m tempted to agree with him regardless.
“What chance?”
It seems like some part of my brain is still functioning.
“To date you properly.”
“You barely know me.”
“That’s the point of dating, to get to know someone.”
Okay, he has me there. Point to Cullen.
I just can’t understand why this hunk of a guy is so dead set on me. My heart is a fragile thing, and it falls so easily. I know if I say yes that it will be game over for me. I can’t do anything half-assed; if I agree to date Cullen, I’ll date the hell out of him.
I need to keep the barrier up a little longer, need to make sure I have a clear head and am not getting lost in the idea of him instead of what it actually means to be with him. If he is serious enough, he won’t mind. If he really wants to date me, the challenge won’t stop him.
“Four dates. We have to go on four dates, and then I’ll decide.”
I’d already made up the bullshit excuse of needing four dates before we could kiss; adding another stipulation onto it is nothing.
“All right, it’s a deal. Two more dates.” He smirks, playing with a piece of my hair in his fingers and bringing it to his lips in a kiss. “Two more dates, and then you’ll be mine.”