Chapter 9
Darius
Just as I suspected, Ingrid tries to flee the library before the hour ends. Forty-five minutes after I walked away after planting another kiss on her sweet lips, she steps out of the side door and heads for her dorm, going the back way.
I wait for her to walk past my hidden spot before joining her while asking, “Forget something?”
She jumps, glares at me, and then starts walking again. “Go away.”
“No.” I step up beside her and try another tactic. “How about you let me feed you so we can talk? Just talk?”
“Why won’t you just leave?” She stops, arms crossed. “Are you that desperate? Have you actually run out of women to bother? Did one of them spill the tea and talk about how shitty you are in bed?”
“Why do you do that? Put yourself down like you’re less than when you’re the prize any man would be honored to win?
” I place my hand on her back and encourage her to come with me.
“Let me feed you. I hear there is a great street taco place off Nassau Street. If memory serves me correct, you’re the one who told Winnie they were to die for. ”
“They are. The best damn tacos I’ve ever had.” She looks up at me, eyes narrowed. “You actually remember that conversation from almost two months ago?”
I nod. “I recall almost every conversation you’ve had with me.
Don’t believe me? You two also talked about how you missed the gourmet cookie place in Prieto, near the boarding school you attend.
Said they have the best snickerdoodle cookies on the planet.
” Snapping my fingers, I make a decision.
“Next time I’m there, I’ll have them send you a box. ”
She stops walking, her mouth gaping open. “Seriously? I swear, if you’re kidding, I’ll make up a horrible story. Like post on my social media about how you kissed me and I almost gagged, had to go to the clinic—”
I’m on her quickly, shoving her back against the stone wall of the building, hovering my lips over hers but not letting them touch.
“Completely serious. I guess you’ll have to wait and see though, won’t you?
Now, about that lie you want to spread, think long and hard about the last kiss we shared.
Or do I need to remind you how good it was again? ”
“I remember,” she whispers, before licking her lips.
Fuck me.
“Good.” I have to muster all my strength to push away from the wall, retreat, and extend my hand. “Now stop lying and let me feed you.”
It takes a few seconds for her to decide, but after a few ticks she accepts my hand. “Only because I really want three damn tacos, just so we’re clear.”
I toss my head back and laugh. “Whatever it takes, cupcake.”
We walk the short couple of blocks to the taco stand in blissful silence.
She lets me hold her hand the entire time, and I learn quickly I like how it fits in my hand.
As soon as we are close enough, I release it so I can open the door for her.
Once we’ve placed our order, we find a table and take a seat.
The silence is growing awkward now, so I decide to break it.
“Like I mentioned earlier, I need to take a trip. I’ve got business in Chicago.” I tap the table a few times.
She toys with the paper from her straw. “Why are you doing this?”
“Doing what?” I reach across the table and place my hand over hers. “This?”
“Darius, I just got out of… I don’t want to jump into… I just want time to breathe.” She shakes my hand off hers and grabs her cup to take a sip. “I’ve never had that. Time to myself, where I was the one making the decisions.”
I know what that feels like. My family controlled every move I made for so damn long.
It wasn’t until I graduated from university and got the idea to start FGS&S and cut them out of my life did that change.
It took me years to learn how to breathe, and if I’m honest, I’m not really sure I ever did until she waltzed into my life.
But it would be unfair of me not to grant her this wish, not to let her enjoy the freedom for a while before sweeping her off her feet.
“Friends. Can we at least be friends?” I hold my breath while I wait for her to respond.
She eyes me suspiciously. “As long as you don’t mean friends with benefits.”
Pushing myself to stand, I sigh. “Well then, I guess this is goodbye.” I then grab my cup and turn to walk away before falling back into my seat.
“Did you really think that’s what I meant?
Must I remind you that I shoved you in your room the night I kissed you and then ran because I didn’t want that night to be another fuck-up?
And after everything I’ve learned since, there is no way I’d even suggest that. You deserve better.”
An employee brings us our tacos, interrupting us for a few seconds. As soon as they leave, I pick up one of mine and take a huge bite. “Damn, these are good.”
“I know, right?” She chews hers and hums. “No one makes them better.”
After I’ve eaten two of mine, I try again. “So, friends?”
Ingrid nods and swallows down her mouthful of taco. “Why the hell not? But if you try anything, I swear I’ll post something about how bad you are in bed and that you have the tiniest little Peter I’ve ever seen.” She pinches her fingers together. “I’ve seen inchworms bigger.”
I roll my eyes. “As if.” Then I reach across the table and separate her fingers a little. “That’s probably more accurate, but since this is a friendship without benefits, you’ll just have to take my word for it.”
“So what’s in Chicago?” She picks up her other taco.
I explain what I can, which isn’t much. Tell her my client needs me to plant a few employees who will figure out who’s spilling company secrets.
We move onto the classes she’s taking. I listen to her passionately talk to me about the chemistry lab she’s working on.
It’s way over my head, but I pretend it’s not.
We sit there and talk for a whole hour. I end up ordering us both two more tacos.
It’s the best damn non-date of my life. She even allows me to walk her back to her dorm. When I go to leave, she gives me a quick hug and thanks me for dinner.
As I’m walking back to my car, I text Lenny and ask him for the number of the bakery in Prieto. Make a note to call them in the morning when they open. I plan to order a dozen snickerdoodle cookies and have them express delivered.
I can’t wait to hear all about it. She’s about to understand that I’m not like the other men in her life who’ve let her down. When I say I’m going to do something, I fucking do it.