Chapter 11 #3
Pid’s muscles tightened as he waited for her answer. Monica answered Theo’s question, but her gaze was locked on Pid as she said, “You know what? I do.”
“Good,” Theo told her, patting her left hand.
Pid knew she wasn’t comfortable with people touching her damaged fingers, but she didn’t seem to mind Theo doing so.
“Pid is a good man,” Theo told her. “Now that he found you, he’ll keep you safe.”
Monica’s gaze returned to his. “He will?” she asked.
Theo nodded as if he could see into the future and knew what would happen. “Yeah. Pid’s big and strong.”
“He is that,” Monica agreed with a small chuckle.
Their conversation turned back to his favorite foods, but Pid didn’t move from his spot against the wall. He didn’t miss the way Monica’s gaze strayed to him again and again as she kept Theo company, while Lexie and Elodie finished up their conversation with the police officers.
Pid helped Mustang and Midas board up the front window and, after another thirty minutes, everyone was ready to go. Midas contacted a window company to come the next day and replace the missing pane and the officers had everything they needed for the moment.
Theo gave Monica a hug goodbye, then proceeded to hug everyone else as well. He headed down the sidewalk in the direction of his apartment as the rest of them all walked toward the parking lot where they’d left their cars.
After Lexie promised to keep Monica up-to-date on the investigation, they were all finally on their way.
Pid looked over at Monica and saw her head back, resting against the seat behind her, her eyes were closed. “You all right?” he asked.
“Yup,” she said without hesitation.
“That wasn’t exactly the ending of the evening I envisioned,” he commented dryly.
“It was certainly exciting,” she said, opening her eyes and turning her head without lifting it. “I’m sorry I didn’t make a better impression.”
“Mo, stop. You were fine. Besides, those women love Theo. And not only because he literally dragged himself across the floor, bleeding like a stuck pig, trying to get to Lexie when he knew she was in trouble. Many people don’t treat him very well.
There’s no denying that he doesn’t smell all that great.
He’s odd. He’s hard to understand sometimes.
And yet without hesitation, you befriended him.
Got him to open up to you. That alone has earned you a special place in all our hearts. ”
“Kids and mentally challenged people like me,” she said. “And I like them. I know things weren’t going so well at the restaurant. I was trying…but I don’t feel comfortable around most adults.”
“It’s okay,” Pid reassured her. “It just takes you longer to warm up to people. There’s nothing wrong with that. And after Lexie’s declaration tonight, I think it’s obvious that you have nothing to worry about.”
Monica chuckled. “I thought Mustang was going to die when she told me to slow down looking at the profiles.”
“Right?” Pid agreed. “Lord, Lexie’s awesome, but that wasn’t the best time or place for that conversation, that’s for sure.”
“Can I tell you something?”
“You can tell me anything,” Pid said.
“For the first time in my life, I’m looking forward to hanging out with a bunch of women.”
“I’m glad. They’re a friendly bunch, and I know you’ll have a good time. Although I think I’m jealous.”
“Jealous?” Monica asked.
“Yeah. You going out with them for Kenna’s bachelorette party means one less evening I get to spend with you.”
When she didn’t respond, Pid mentally kicked himself. He’d shown his cards too soon and freaked her out—yet again.
“We hang out every night,” she said eventually.
“Yup,” he agreed.
“It’s…nice,” Monica whispered.
The hair on the back of Pid’s neck stood up. For some women, those two words would be tepid at best. Would make a man think she wasn’t happy spending time with him. But coming from Monica, it was high praise indeed.
“Yeah, it is.”
They were quiet the rest of the way back to his house. Pid parked and waited for her at the front of the minivan, resting his hand on the small of her back as they walked to the front door. He unlocked it and turned on the light after they entered.
As she headed for the hallway to her room, Pid called out, “Mo?”
She stopped and turned to face him. “Yeah?”
He walked slowly toward her, his gaze fixed on hers. If he’d seen the slightest sign that she was uneasy or nervous about him coming toward her, he would’ve stopped and merely said good night.
But all he saw in her eyes was a longing that echoed deep in his soul.
Monica licked her lips as she stared up at him.
“I’m going to kiss you,” he blurted, waiting for her reaction.
Her eyes widened—and miracle of all miracles, she nodded.
Moving slowly, Pid leaned closer. His lips covered hers gently, and immediately he felt sparks shoot from where they were touching straight down to his toes. He’d never been affected by a woman so viscerally. He wasn’t sure what to think…except that he didn’t ever want to stop touching her.
He didn’t reach for her though. Didn’t haul her against his chest like he longed to do. He simply turned his head and gradually deepened their kiss. Her tongue shyly reached out and twined with his, and just like that, Pid was as hard as he’d ever been in his life.
That small token of trust sealed his fate. He wanted this woman with every fiber of his being, but he knew he had to move slowly. Gaining her trust was more important than anything else had ever been in his life thus far.
Even though he could’ve kissed her all night, Pid forced himself to pull his lips from hers. Her pupils were dilated now, and it was all he could do to keep his hands from grabbing her when she licked her lips after he pulled away.
“Um…wow,” she said softly.
Pid grinned. “Yeah.” He leaned down once more and kissed her forehead reverently. “Sleep well, Mo.”
She looked confused for a second, then nodded. “You too.”
Pid had a feeling she thought he was gonna ask for more.
He found that he liked surprising her. He didn’t want to be like any other man in her life.
But that kiss was letting her know that he was interested in more than a platonic friendship.
He’d go at her pace, but the change in their relationship felt good.
He prayed she’d feel the same way about moving their relationship forward in the morning.
It was almost physically painful to turn away from her and walk toward his room, but he did it. Monica needed to know she could trust him. She’d told Theo earlier that she felt safe in his house, and he’d rather cut off a limb than do anything to put a dent in that progress.
Monica had gotten under his skin, and there was no getting her out. Nothing had changed, she would still probably be leaving soon, but there was no going back now for him. Pid was all in. He just hoped she felt the same way.