Chapter 22
Twenty-Two
JAMIE
The awkward silence in the car can't diminish the sheer giddiness zipping through my muscles. Veins too, but my muscles are all kinds of twitchy with the urge to reach out and hold her leg.
My jaw hit the fucking ground when she ran out of her apartment and smacked right into my chest. I hate how shocked she was that I would be at her door when I texted her I was here. She should know I'm a fucking gentleman.
Violet squeaked out an apology and quickly shut the door behind her. I couldn't help but laugh at Cassidy's joke to have her friend home before the sun sets.
Violet basically rushed out to my car, but a firm swat on her ass made her take a step back from opening her car door. That's my job, I reminded her and held her hand as she shimmied onto the seat. Plus, she should not be moving like that while she's healing.
I've been following her lead, knowing she has a lot going on in her head, so I've allowed her to ignore the fact that she was mugged less than a week ago.
The only time she brought it up was to ask what happened to her attacker.
Telling her Bash was handling the report was enough for her to let it go.
I'm a little worried that we aren't talking about it, but I guess it's a good thing considering Bash isn't making a police report. The mugger is currently in "questioning" with the MC. I'd rather not explain to her what Bash and my friends are doing to the fucker that hurt her.
I'm just going to ride the high of her shyness for now. Her blush is the highlight of my day. It hasn't left since she ran into me. Even now with her body slightly angled away from me, her cheeks are pink.
I'm so damn pleased that she's wearing light-wash jeans with a multitude of rips in them. The peek I got between her jacket showed a simple black shirt. I hope it's long sleeve because it's cold as fuck, and I don't trust the restaurant to have good enough heating for my woman.
Parking the car a block away from my favorite place to get tacos, I turn to her already smirking. "Violet, you can avoid looking at me all you want, but I promise I know every single thing you're thinking without seeing your face."
As I hoped, Violet twists to face me with a scowl. "You cannot."
Her scoff is fucking adorable, and if I have to provoke her to make her feel more comfortable about our first date, then you bet your ass I will. "No? So you're not thinking about how amazing I smell and how you can't escape my intoxicating scent when you're in my car?"
Holy shit. Her blush blooms so bright I can't help but call her out on it. "Your blush just rose ten degrees. Were you thinking about the cologne I put on for you today?"
Groaning, Violet drops her face into her hands. "Stop. Let's just go eat."
"Wait," I grab her seatbelt buckle to keep V from escaping. "First, tell me...were you wondering if I smell this good everywhere?"
"Jamie!" she gasps, her forehead pink with embarrassment.
My smirk turns into a full-blown smile. "Jesus, Sweets. I was just messing with you. I didn't think you were actually sniffing me like you're obsessed with me."
"Take me home," she demands with the most adorable frown on her face.
Reaching for her, I tickle her rosy cheeks. "I'm glad you wore your hair up today. You won't be able to hide behind those gorgeous locks."
My voice is unintentionally deep and reverent, which matches just how deep my feelings are for Violet. Her frown softens when I kiss her cheek and release her buckle.
"Alright. Let me feed you." That earns me a smile. "Wait there, Sweets. I'll come around."
My smile grows with each act of trust she gives me in the next five minutes. Violet lets me escort her out of the car, down the sidewalk, and into the restaurant. She even allows me to remove her coat and pull out her chair.
Violet Bennett is gifting me more of herself, and I'd be a fool to waste the opportunity to shower her with love and care.
Fuck knows she needs it.
Our meal was similar to the car ride here, but there was a key difference. Violet glanced at me every time she blushed.
I love how nervous she is with me, especially since I know everything about her physically. I'm absolutely willing to take the mental and emotional parts of our relationship slow.
Maybe.
"Would you like dessert, my love?"
Violet studies my face and cocks her head like she's thinking. "Why do you call me that?"
Internally I wince because I just told myself I could be patient, but that one slipped out. On the outside, I play up my cockiness and confidence. Violet doesn't need to know I'm nervous. She needs one of us to take the lead here, and I'm thrilled to be that for her.
"Because that's what you are, Violet. You're my love even if you aren't ready to accept it. I'll try to back off and—"
"No! No, it's okay," she rushes out, grabbing my hand across the table. Chewing on her lip, Violet battles with what to say. "It feels nice."
Her tone is soft when she admits her feelings. Instead of lingering on the deep stuff, I kiss her knuckles and ask her if she wants dessert. Only Violet isn't the one to answer my question.
"Violet likes ice cream and chocolate-covered almonds like her mom." Ellis sidles up to the edge of our table with Nate on his heels. "Isn't that right, Violet? Or has that changed? I wouldn't know, since you know..."
My temper flares so fucking fast my mouth opens without planning to. "You fuck—"
"It's still true," Violet blurts, squeezing my hand pretty damn hard for a woman who is now white as a ghost.
"Ellis," Nate sighs, tugging his partner back. "Knock it off. Violet, I hope your hip is doing better. I'm sure it's been hard after the mugging."
Violet mumbles an unsure thank you all the while looking like she's about to cry. These two idiots are ruining our fucking date and her mood. My one goddamn goal was to keep her happy.
Ellis seems to shrug off his attitude and glances at Violet's hand in mine before he apologies. "Shit. Sorry Violet."
"It was good to see you both," Nate adds and tries to pull Ellis away. Good riddance.
"Wait!" Violet scrambles to stand and glances at me for permission. For what I have no fucking clue, but I don't like the desperation I see in her face to keep them here. "Stay. Have a drink with us."
"What the f—"
"Please?" Violet cuts me off with a sharper tone that actually makes me shut up.
Ellis grins, and I don't like that either. What the hell is happening right now?
"Sure," Ellis agrees, and walks around behind me while trailing his hand across my shoulders. It makes me shiver, but I play my reaction off by twisting my features into disgust.
Unfortunately, Violet was watching me the whole time. When I meet her gaze, she nods at me softly, like she's giving me permission. Again, for what?
What? I mouth at her while the other two settle into their seats and order a drink with our waitress.
Violet just lifts her chin at Ellis and widens her eyes at me. I don’t know what the hell she mouths because I'm immediately snapped out of our intense stare down when Ellis opens his fucking mouth.
"This is cozy."
Fucking prick.