Chapter 6
Carter
“Hey, how’s it going?” Hudson asks.
I look at the stairs, making sure Scout is still up in our room getting ready before I answer him. “It’s good. I’m taking Scout out for dinner soon.”
“Where?”
“Palmer’s Steakhouse in town.”
“Nice. First date, huh? Are you nervous?”
“Yeah,” I admit. “I want tonight to go well.”
“It will. I mean, she said yes, so that’s a good sign.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Any sign of her dad or those other guys?” Hudson asks.
I tense. “No. I’ve hidden her car, and I checked it for any sign of trackers. It was clean. Her phone was too. I’ve been keeping an eye out, and I haven’t seen suspicious cars or people around my place.”
“Us too,” Hudson says. “Hazel found some old pictures of Scout’s dad and has shown them to all the security guards at our place and here at work.”
“Any sign so far?”
“No, not yet. Scout’s dad has been calling, though. He sounds pretty desperate, man. You guys need to be careful. There’s no telling what he’ll do if he finds her.”
“I won’t let that happen,” I promise.
“Good. Let me know if you need anything on that front.”
“Will do.”
“I’ll let you go. Good luck tonight. Call me tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I will.”
“Later, Carter.”
“Later,” I echo, and we hang up.
A second later, I hear Scout’s steps coming down the stairs. I straighten, and my breath stalls in my lungs when I see her.
I went into town earlier today and picked up a few things for her. I wanted her to be comfortable here. I also wanted to show her that I could take care of her and think about what she needs. I want her to see that I’m a good partner, that I could be a good match for her.
“Thanks for the clothes,” Scout says, brushing her hands over the soft fabric of her shirt.
“It was my pleasure. You look amazing.”
“Thanks. You’re looking pretty handsome yourself,” she says shyly.
“Thanks, Scout.”
I reach out, offering her my hand, and she blushes as our palms slide together. I lead her towards the front door and will my heart rate to slow down as we step outside.
The sun is starting to set as I close and lock the door behind us. Crickets chirp in the nearby trees, and I take a deep breath as I scan the road and treeline. It’s all quiet; no cars are driving by, and I don’t see any suspicious footprints or tire tracks. I relax, leading Scout over to my car.
Tonight has to be perfect. The last thing I want is for her father or one of those loan shark guys to show up. My murdering someone in front of her might put a stain on our first date.
I open the door for Scout and smile as I look down at her. That smile drops when I see the look on her face.
“Hey, if you’re not okay with this, we can do something else,” I say when I see the nervous way her eyes dart around. “I can cook for us, or we can order takeout or something.”
“No, I’m okay,” she assures me, squeezing my hand.
I open the passenger door for her and give her a comforting smile as she climbs in.
“We’ll swing by the auto shop before dinner. We can try to order that part for your car,” I say, trying to distract her.
“Sounds good,” Scout says softly.
I close the door and walk around the hood. As I climb behind the wheel, I reach over, threading my fingers with hers.
“I feel bad,” Scout says as we head into town.
“About what?”
“I can’t afford to pay you back for all of this. Not right now anyway. Once I get a new job and get settled, I can send you the money for—”
“I’m not asking for money,” I interrupt her. “I’m happy to buy you clothes and fix your car. You deserve to have someone looking out for you, Scout. I’m sorry you haven’t had anyone doing that so far in your life.”
“I’m not used to it,” she says. “I like to make my own way in life.”
“I know, but there’s no reason you can’t accept a little help from time to time.”
“I guess…”
“If it makes you feel better, you can pay me back whenever. But I don’t want you to think I’m keeping track or that I mind.”
“Thanks, Carter.”
I squeeze her hand, then start the car, driving into town. Scout scans the streets, and I keep an eye out for anyone suspicious as we drive toward the auto shop.
“Do you want to go in?” I ask, hoping she says no.
“I’ll stay here if that’s okay?”
“Of course. I’ll be right back.”
I hop out, leaving the car keys in the ignition for her. Inside, I duck into an aisle away from the front windows. I don’t want Scout to see that I’m not really headed up to the counter to order the part.
Guilt floods me as I wait in the aisle for a few minutes. I don’t want to lie to Scout, but I can’t let her leave. Not yet. Not until she’s as in love with me as I am with her.
After a few minutes, I go back outside and smile as I hop into the car.
“All set,” I tell her, buckling up and reversing out of the spot.
“When will it be in stock?” she asks.
I clear my throat. “They said a week, maybe ten days.”
“That long?” Scout asks in surprise.
“Yeah, it’s an old car. Might be hard to track down the part.”
The lies taste bitter on my tongue, and I try to reassure myself that it will all be worth it once we’re officially together. She won’t mind a little white lie once she’s obsessed with me.
Right?
“Oh, I guess that makes sense. Are you sure it’s okay if I stay with you for that long?”
“Positive. It’s been great having you around.”
Scout smiles, and I see some of the tension leave her shoulders. “Where are we going for dinner?”
“There’s a steakhouse in town. It’s quiet and secluded. No one will be looking for you in there, and if they are, we’ll spot them quickly.” I reach over, covering her hand with mine.
“I’ll keep you safe,” I promise.
“I know. I trust you, Carter.”
That means more to me than she’ll ever know. I crave Scout’s trust. I want to be her protector, her provider, her everything. That might be hard, though. Scout is independent and self-reliant. She’s not going to simply rely on someone. That will take work.
I’m looking forward to the challenge.
We pull into the parking lot, and I park out front, close to the front door, just in case.
“Am I dressed okay for this place?” Scout asks as I turn off the car.
“You look perfect,” I promise.
She’s wearing the dark blue blouse and tight black leggings I grabbed this morning. It was the only dressed-up clothing I got for her. The rest was underwear, bras, socks, some pajamas, a sweater, some yoga pants, and tank tops.
“Ready?” I ask as I reach for the door handle.
We head inside, and I scan the place as we check in with the hostess. We’re led to a table in the back, and I pull out Scout’s chair for her, then sit across from her.
“Your server will be right with you,” the hostess says.
Scout smiles as we look over our menus. “Have you been here before?”
“No, first time. This is actually my first date.”
Her eyebrows shoot up to her hairline. “Ever?”
“Yeah, I just—I never met anyone I wanted to take out before. I was always more focused on school or the Marines. Then I got out, and well, now we’re here.”
“Oh.”
“What about you?” I’m dying to know if there are any ex-boyfriends I have to compete with.
“This is my first date too.”
“Really?” I ask hopefully.
“Yeah. No one in school was ever interested in me. I was always, you know—” She waves a hand at her curves.
“Hot?”
She laughs, shaking her head. “No! Chubby.”
I frown. “You’re gorgeous. Don’t say that about yourself.”
Scout bites her lip and looks down at the linen tablecloth.
“Hello, and welcome to Palmer’s,” our server greets, appearing at the table. “Can I get you two something to drink?”
“Just a water for me,” Scout says.
“Me too.”
“Of course. Are you ready to order, or would you like a few more minutes?”
“I think we need a few minutes,” I answer.
“I’ll go get started on those drinks,” he says, leaving us alone again.
I raise an eyebrow at Scout, nodding for her to go on.
“Where was I? Oh, right. Anyway, even after school, I was too busy surviving to think about dating. I worked two jobs, sometimes three, and I was so tired when I went home that I just passed out.”
“Well, now you get to experience life, so what are you going to do?”
“I’m not sure. I mean, I need to find a new job, or two, and a new apartment. I probably need to find some roommates to afford that. And—”
“What do you want to do?” I stress.
She pauses. “I… I’d like to go back to school and get my degree. I’d like to become a teacher. I’d like to make a difference in kids’ lives. Is that stupid?”
“No, not stupid at all, Scout. You can do it. I know you can.”
“What about you?” she asks, obviously trying to change the subject.
“I’m not sure what I want to do,” I admit.
Besides being your man.
“No inklings of what’s next?”
“I have a few job offers. Some of them seem interesting, but I don’t know. I’m torn between enjoying semi-retirement and doing something with my life.”
“Enjoying semi-retirement is doing something with your life,” she corrects.
The server returns with our drinks and we both order the filet with mashed potatoes and a side salad. Once we’re alone again, we fall into easy conversation. We talk about everything. Favorite subjects in school, movies and TV shows we love, music, everything.
Hours pass as we eat and learn more about each other. By the time I pay the bill and we stand to leave, I’ve fallen even more in love with Scout. She’s perfect. My dream woman.
Scout smothers a yawn as we head out to my car, and I tuck her against my side, scanning the parking lot.
“Thanks for dinner. I had a great time,” Scout says, pausing to look up at me as I unlock the car.
“Me too. We should do it again.”
“Okay,” she says almost shyly.
I move my hand to cup her face, giving her time to pull away. She doesn’t. Instead, Scout leans into my palm, her eyes searching mine.
“Can I kiss you?” I ask.
Her lips part, and for one agonizing second, she says nothing. Then she gives me a small nod.
I bend slowly, watching her the entire time. Her eyes flutter closed just before my lips brush hers.
The kiss is soft and careful. Nothing more than a gentle press of my mouth against hers, but it sends a jolt straight through me.
My heart pounds against my ribs as I force myself to stay in control.
I’ve imagined kissing Scout more times than I can count, but none of those fantasies came close to this.
She’s warm and sweet, and she’s kissing me back. Her fingers curl into the front of my shirt, holding on as I tilt my head and kiss her again. This time, she rises onto her toes to meet me.
A low sound rumbles in my chest before I can stop it.
Scout pulls back, her cheeks flushed. “Was that okay?”
“More than okay,” I assure her.
Her shy smile nearly brings me to my knees. “I’ve never done that before,” she confesses.
I stroke my thumb over her cheek. The possessive part of me thrills at the knowledge that no one else has kissed her. That I’m the first man to taste her lips or make her look this breathless.
I shove those thoughts down before they can ruin the moment.
“Neither have I,” I admit.
Her eyes widen. “Really?”
“Really.”
“So we’re both terrible at it?”
I laugh, resting my forehead against hers. “I don’t know. I thought we were pretty damn good.”
“Maybe we should try again to make sure.”
I stare at her, wondering if she has any idea what those words do to me.
“Yeah,” I say roughly. “Maybe we should.”
This time, Scout closes the distance between us.
Her kiss is tentative at first, but when my hand slides from her cheek to the back of her neck, she melts against me.
I wrap my free arm around her waist and draw her closer, careful not to frighten her.
She fits perfectly against my body, as if she was made to stand right here in my arms.
The kiss deepens, and the rest of the world disappears. There’s no empty parking lot. No danger lurking in the shadows. No father searching for her or men who might try to take her away from me.
There’s only Scout. Her soft lips, her fingers gripping my shirt, the quiet little sigh she makes when I kiss her once more before reluctantly pulling away.
We’re both breathing harder now. Scout looks dazed, and I know I probably look the same.
“Wow,” she whispers.
“Yeah.”
I want to kiss her again. I want to keep kissing her until she forgets every reason she might ever have to leave me, but she trusted me tonight, and I won’t push for more than she’s ready to give.
Even if stopping might kill me.
I brush my thumb beneath her bottom lip. “We should get you home.”
Her smile slips. “Your home.”
“For now,” I say, although every part of me wants to tell her it can be hers too. “Come on.” I open the passenger door for her.
Scout pauses before climbing inside. “Carter?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad my car broke down near your house.”
The guilt hits me hard enough to steal my breath. I force a smile. “So am I.”
She settles into her seat, and I close the door before walking around the car. The lie about the part sits heavy in my stomach as I climb behind the wheel.
Scout reaches for my hand as soon as I start the engine. I thread our fingers together and bring her knuckles to my lips, pressing a kiss against them.
She trusts me. Tonight, she chose me, and somehow, I have to make sure she never regrets it.