Chapter Five
He just lifted her inside his truck, pulled the seatbelt over her, and snapped it in, when she finally looked at him her breath caught in her chest. Never before had she felt the overwhelming need this man caused.
She knew the smart thing to do was to keep her emotions steady and take her time.
But she couldn’t. He brought out feelings she’d only heard about.
She watched him walk around the front of his truck and then smoothly slide in. There hadn’t been a chance of her getting into the vehicle by herself unless she climbed, so he had to help her.
He started the truck and turned to her before putting it in gear. He laid his arm over the steering wheel. “What do you feel like eating?”
She twisted in her seat as far as the seatbelt would allow. “I have to say, I’m pretty easy. I can find something to eat anywhere we go.”
“We had pizza last night,” he stated. “So how about Mexican?”
“Perfect. Since I’m not driving, I can have a margarita,’” she joked and then scrunched up her nose at him.
He chuckled, put the vehicle in gear, and pulled out. “There’s one over on the south side a buddy told me about.”
She nodded as her eyes scanned the buildings they passed. She caught sight of some people on the sidewalks, but otherwise, that part of the city had calmed down when the businesses closed for the day.
“I like this time of night in the city. I love the lights, and the traffic isn’t horrible,” she admitted. She turned toward Kaleb with her hands in her lap. “Do you have any hobbies?”
“I run...”
“Yuk!”
He chuckled. “I like to hike,” he added.
“I like that.”
“Good, something in common,” he said lightly.
“What about you?” he asked her.
“Reading, cooking, gardening.”
“Is there more?”
She shrugged. “Probably, but I want to hear some of yours.”
“First, I’d like to know where you garden. I saw several house plants, but I don’t think you think of that as gardening.”
“I did when I lived in a house a while ago.”
“What made you move to an apartment?”
She caught the questioning glance he sent her way and tried not to show any reaction. It was too soon in their friendship to talk about her past.
“It saves money,” she murmured.
She could tell he had more questions and was relieved he let it go for the moment.
They made it to the restaurant, and then Kaleb pulled into the parking spot and parked.
“Hold on, and I’ll help you down.”
She smiled and unbuckled. She twisted in her seat when her door opened and reached for him when his hands circled her waist and lifted her out.
Her breath caught when he just stood and held her against him for a long moment before exhaling and moving back. He grabbed her hand and walked them into the restaurant.
She gripped his hand and glanced around the place. It looked like authentic Mexican food, which she loved.
“This place looks great,” she said and smiled up at him.
“This way, please,” the hostess said and walked off.
She took them to a booth in the back of the restaurant and handed them each a menu after they sat on opposite sides of each other.
She glanced up and caught the look of disgust on the waitress’s face. Myla’s gaze quickly turned to Kaleb to find he was still reading the menu and relaxed. Myla’s eyes narrowed on the waitress.
“I’d like a margarita with ice,” Myla said, keeping her eyes on the waitress.
“I’ll just have what’s on tap, please,” Kaleb said without looking up.
She watched the waitress walk away and turned her attention back to her menu.
“You know, if you get pissed at everyone that looks at me funny, you’ll be pissed a lot.”
Myla’s head snapped up, and she scowled. “I’m sorry.” She shook her head and looked down. “I’m not one to get in anyone’s face, but,” she said and shrugged. “With you, it’s different.”
****
He stared at her for a moment before he stood and moved over to her side of the booth. He laid one arm on the back of the seat and the other on the table in front of Myla, blocking her in. His heartbeat shot up when she moved closer before lifting her head to stare at him.
“Jesus, woman,” he whispered and shook his head. He lifted his hand from the table and brushed his thumb over her cheek. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.” His voice deepened as his eyes scanned her features.
She moved closer until she could lay her head on his chest and wrap her arm around his waist.
“Thank you. The way you look at me makes me feel beautiful. I’ve never had a man look at me like that or make me feel like this.”
“Like what, Baby?”
She hummed and stroked her hand over his chest. “Like my heart is going to break from my chest, but not in a bad way. My body is...” She paused and looked up at him. “Let’s just say, I have a strong urge to climb onto your lap and never get up.”
He continued to stroke her cheek, and he took in a shuddering breath. “Yeah, I get that. Except I want to tuck you under me and never let you up.”
Myla’s eyes widened and darkened with need, and then her body jolted in his arms when two drinks were set on the table in front of them.
“Are you ready to order?” the waitress asked as her glance went from one to the other.
Both ordered and turned back to each other. Neither noticed the looks they received from the people in the restaurant, nor would they have cared.
They spent the next few hours eating and telling each other about themselves. At one point, he looked around the restaurant and was surprised to see it almost empty. He glanced at his watch.
“Let’s get out of here. They’re about ready to close.”
He chuckled when he caught Myla’s look of confusion. They’d been so wrapped up in each other, the rest of the world hadn’t existed.
He got them in the truck and turned to her before starting it. “We missed our movie. We could still go to the late one, but you look tired.”
She was tired. The week had been a busy one, but she didn’t want the night to end. “You’re right, I am. But we’re having such a good time, I don’t want it to end,” she murmured.
He squeezed her hand he’d held since they left the restaurant. Myla rested against her headrest and watched the lights and shadows cross his face as they drove through the city.
“It won’t stop. I hope to be able to see you tomorrow.”
She smiled. “I’d like that. What would you like to do?”
“I would say running, but I know how you feel about that,” he said and chuckled. “But we could go to the park and hike and then grab lunch after.”
“I’d love that.”
He pulled up outside of her apartment, turned off his truck, and then walked her to her door. He stood back and waited for her to open it. He smiled gently when her hand shook too hard to get the key into the slot. He couldn’t remember this depth of tenderness for anyone, and he’d just met her.
“Here, Baby, let me,” he said and pulled the keys from her and opened her door. He handed them back to her and watched as she walked and set them and her purse on the counter, and then turned.
“Aren’t you coming in?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Not tonight. I want my hands on you too much, and I don’t want to push you.”
“You’re right. Thank you.”
He curled his finger. “Come here and kiss me good night.”
She walked until she stood inches from him and then waited for him to bend his head and take her mouth. It felt like the air was sucked from his lungs when her eyes closed at the first contact with his lips. The kiss quickly deepened until they were clinging to each other.
He jerked his head away. He bit back a groan at the look on her face. It took all his strength to pull away from her.
“Baby, we have to stop.”
She opened her eyes.
He was elated to see the same heated, needy reflection in her eye that matched his own.
She nodded and took a few steps back. “Thank you for tonight, Kaleb.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll pick you up at ten tomorrow. Will that work?”
“Yes. That would be great.”
He took another long look at her and stepped through her doorway.
“Close the door and lock it before I go.”
She nodded. She softly closed the door, engaged all her locks, and waited.
“Good night, Baby.”
“Night, Kaleb.” He heard her murmur through the door.
It took Herculean strength to make himself move away from her door. The only thing keeping him sane was the fact that he would see her tomorrow and every day after if he got his way.