11. How Does One Woo a Woman
HOW DOES ONE WOO A WOMAN
R owan
The last two days of not talking to Aspen had been absolutely fucking hell.
When I woke up the next morning to find her gone, I tried not to panic.
I tried to tell myself maybe she had work, or an emergency, or something that required her to be out of my house at six in the morning.
I’d texted her to ensure she made it home safely and panicked the full three minutes it took her to text me back.
A simple “Yes” was all I’d received back.
That was when it hit me. She’d left. I had no idea what time she’d left, and yeah, I could check the camera outside to see, but I didn’t want to know.
I had spent all of Sunday morning into the early afternoon at Oliver’s house, trying to seek some sense of what the fuck I was doing in this situation I’d found myself in, only for him to tell me that I was a moron.
I’d told her she could set the pace, brought her back to my place, told her she was the first woman ever to do so, and then basically confessed my love to her in the middle of sex.
So basically, Oliver was correct, and I was indeed a moron.
So I’d sent her a second text, simply letting her know I wasn’t going anywhere. I may be new to relationships, but I knew when someone was trying to run from me. So I’d let her run—or at least let her think she was running.
Truly, she hadn’t been out of my sight for more than a few hours at a time since I’d left my brother's house. I helped Oliver around the ranch while we talked on Sunday. We’d gotten the bulls settled back in yesterday after the weekend’s rodeo, but when we needed lunch?
I was happy to run into town and get us some grub.
Didn’t mind at all, because it gave me the opportunity to drive by The Roadhouse and check on my girl.
Then, when I got off, I sat in the back corner of Ivy’s section and begged her not to tell Aspen I was there.
I ordered food and drinks, tipped my little angel’s best friend well, and then followed my girl home.
As if that wasn’t all unhinged enough, I slept in my truck outside her apartment. Yes. That’s how much of a stalker I’d become. That didn’t even touch on the fact that her underwear from that night was in my pocket right now.
So today, when I finished work, I was back at The Roadhouse.
But Ivy was off tonight, so instead of letting her hide me in the back corner, I just sat in my truck in the parking lot.
I told myself I’d keep my distance. I wouldn’t bother her.
That was before it started pouring rain outside, and I watched her walk out of work early.
Before I could even think about doing anything else, I started my truck and quickly pulled up to the curb in front of her, rolling my window down.
“Don’t argue with me, little angel. Just get in and let me drive you home,” I said quickly.
I tried not to sound too demanding, but at the same time, she was getting in this truck.
Even if I had to get out of said truck, pick her up, and throw her into the passenger seat—she was getting in the truck.
I watched her think it over, and I was sure she was weighing her options.
Let her weigh them—because I wasn’t going to settle for anything less than winning this one.
She let out a breath and then bolted through the rain to the passenger side of my truck.
Thankfully, I’d cleaned out my current sleeping arrangement this afternoon, so that was a plus for me. It didn’t look as lived-in.
I watched as she opened the door and quickly climbed into the seat beside me. I reached behind her and pulled out a blanket to warm her up, then I turned up the heat in the cab.
She glanced at me and started to bite her lower lip, only to quickly release it.
If it wasn’t so dark in here, I’d be positive she was blushing.
“You didn’t have to do this, Rowan. I could’ve run home.
” Her voice was quiet, and I hated everything about it.
It wasn’t her usual tone she used when she talked to me.
That tone was more sure of herself. Sassy and sometimes a bit snarky. This tone was quiet, almost shy.
I stared at her for a moment before finally settling on something to say back.
“You’re not running home in the rain, little angel, and that’s the end of the conversation.
Just let me”— I swallowed harshly, trying to tamp down the emotions I was feeling over how defeated she sounded right now—“just let me take care of you. Please.”
She finally took the blanket from my hand and wrapped it around her shoulders before clicking her seatbelt into place. I put the truck into drive and started for her apartment.
“Thank you,” she finally said.
“Don’t worry about it. I was in the neighborhood anyway,” I replied.
It wasn’t a lie. I just didn’t tell her that I was in the neighborhood because I’d been stalking her for two days to ensure she was safe.
I didn’t tell her that I hadn’t stopped thinking about her once.
That I hadn’t lain in my bed since I’d woken up without her, because I was scared the sheets would stop smelling like her if she didn’t return to them soon.
No, I didn’t say any of that. I just left it bare and innocent enough that she wouldn’t know—couldn’t know.
I glanced over and she was looking out the window, and I internally itched to speak to her. Stay with her. Do anything that would keep me in the same vicinity as her, and not just out on the street sleeping in my truck, so we were close.
“How was work?” I asked hesitantly. At first, I thought she wouldn’t reply. But I felt her eyes on me a few moments after I spoke.
“It was slow tonight. I guess with the rain and all, it wasn’t ideal eating out conditions or whatever.” She looked back out the window as she muttered the last bit.
“Well, I’m sorry it wasn’t the best of nights, little angel,” I replied. I wanted to reach over and take her hand. Give her some physical reassurance, but I had to remind myself that I was letting her set the pace. I wasn’t going to push her, not again.
“It’s fine. I’m just going to go home and paint. Make some popcorn. You know, boring single lady stuff. Maybe I’ll get a cat.” I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to hear the last bit or really any of it, honestly. She was still looking out the window instead of over at me.
“I didn’t know you liked cats. But painting and popcorn sounds like fun.
If you ever want any company, let me know.
I’d love some art for my house.” I debated how far to take this and decided to keep it simple, ignoring the single lady comment, because as far as I was concerned, she was far from it.
Which was a topic we’d discuss later, when she wasn’t in a sour mood and finally realized what we had was forever.
“I’m sure you’ve noticed my walls are a bit…
bare,” I continued, shoving my insane thoughts into the depths.
A soft giggle escaped her lips, and she looked over at me as I pulled into a parking spot in front of her building.
“Yeah, your walls are a bit on the boring side, cowboy,” she said with a smirk.
I swore my heart skipped a beat at the sound of that goofy nickname she’d given me.
I hopelessly believed there may be a chance I could still salvage this—you know, without locking her in my house with security cameras and tracking devices.
There was a chance that I hadn’t completely scared her away.
“Are you off again this Thursday?” I asked quickly before I could lose the nerve.
“Yup,” she replied with the ‘p’ popping on her lips.
“Would you uh”—I rubbed the back of my neck, trying not tot be awkward as fuck—“be interested in going out with me Thursday night? On a real date, I mean. I could pick you up. Please.” I forced myself to look over at her, trying to gauge her reaction.
She looked as if she was trying to solve the puzzle that was Rowan Carragan, and honestly, she’d have to get in line right behind me.
“I’d love to, Rowan,” she replied, her voice finally back to sounding like herself again.
“But I’m not going home with you. If you want to do this whole…
dating thing, I want to do it for real. Show me you’re serious.
Court me and shit. Whatever.” She smiled and shrugged quickly as if she were just as clueless about what that meant.
But I couldn’t help the smile that I knew had taken over my entire face, because she’s giving me an actual chance. One that I wouldn’t fuck up.
I nodded slowly. “Okay, Aspen. You’re on. A real date. Be prepared to be wooed, little angel.”
“Fine, I will. Pick me up Thursday night at six.” She reached for the door, and I quickly grabbed an umbrella and rushed to the passenger side of the truck, opening it up as I went. She smiled as she stepped out and under the protective covering.
“Come on, I’ll walk you to the door,” I said, and took her hand in mine as we crossed the street huddled together. Once we reached the door, she used her key and stepped inside the building.
“Thank you, Rowan. For…everything. I’ll see you Thursday.”
“Yes, you will, little angel. Enjoy your painting tonight.” I smiled and backed away as she walked up the stairs. Once she was out of view, I jogged back to my truck, shaking the now-closed umbrella off and tossing it in the floorboards of my truck.
I pulled out my phone and sent a text to the group chat I had with my mom and Payton, because I knew I’d need help here.
Me: How does one woo a woman?
My phone immediately started ringing, and I looked down to see it was a group video call with both my mom and Payton. I shook my head and chuckled. At least I knew, while they’d give me hell, they’d help me out too.