Chapter 18
CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
Addy
I think my underwear just burst into flames at his words.
I can feel the wetness between my legs and wonder if he’s willing to put out the fire he started.
My brain whispers, It’s too soon, Addy , so I shut that shit down as quickly as possible.
I’m not one to jump into bed with every guy that strikes my fancy, so I’m somewhat inexperienced, but I know what desire is and Mongrel lit the proverbial match.
“Thank you for tonight, I’ve really enjoyed myself,” I tell him as we pull into a parking spot and park.
“I have too, but I knew I would just from our interactions during physical therapy,” he replies. “Just let me know about tomorrow. I can come and pick you up or give you the address so you can drive yourself.”
I like that he’s giving me a choice. If things get too crazy, I can always make an excuse about getting ready for the work week and leave.
Even though everything is already done except for putting my lunch together, and I plan to make myself a salad from the leftover fajita guts, so my prepping will be minimal.
“I’ll do that, but I think once I’m done with my housework tomorrow, it shouldn’t be an issue. What time?”
“I’d say any time after three. That way I can introduce you around and show you the horses. Gretchen may wanna show you her crafting room as well, who knows?” he states.
“Then it’s a date,” I tease, smiling at him as he helps me out of the truck.
A drop of rain hits me, and I look up in surprise. We don’t get a lot of rain here, but we need it so if I get drenched walking to my front door, I’ll just change once I’m inside. “I didn’t see this on the forecast,” he murmurs as he takes my keys and unlocks my door.
“Let me turn off my alarm,” I say as I walk over the threshold and silence the beep.
“Glad you’ve got security,” he tells me as he comes in behind me and closes the door.
“Would you… do you want something to drink?”
I don’t want tonight to end but I’m not going to jump into bed with him. Yet. That’ll come, I’m almost positive of it, but it won’t be tonight.
“No, babe, I wanted to make sure you got in okay. Can I kiss you good night or is it too soon?” he asks.
Consent. Holy shit, I may be in love with him!
None of my other dates in the past asked me.
They just assumed it was a given, yet here this man is asking if he can.
I know for some women that kissing is no big deal, but I find it very intimate since you’re sharing bodily fluids.
Weird, I know, but I blame it on how I was raised for the first ten years of my life.
“I’d like that,” I finally say.
He pulls me into his arms, the heat from his touch immediately settling my nerves. As his head descends, I send up a silent prayer that what I’m feeling is true and not just wishful thinking.
When his lips touch mine, I realize that I’ve met the man I was meant to find.
His lips are full but firm, and as he deepens the kiss, I follow his lead, relaxing into his embrace.
I could honestly do this for the rest of my life.
Granted, I’m going to need to breathe at some point but right now, I’m so entranced, breathing is the last thing on my mind.
We finally pull our lips apart and he leans in to place a soft kiss on my forehead. “Better than I anticipated,” he whispers.
“Same,” I reply, my voice just as soft as his.
“I’m going to leave now, because I’m not going to push you for more than either of us is ready to have happen yet.”
“Yet.”
“Yeah, Addy, it’s going to happen, sweetheart, but it’s not a race to the end zone. I liked what I saw on my first appointment, and I want us to get to know each other,” he says. “I’m gonna kiss you again then leave, okay?”
“Perfectly fine,” I murmur.
I’m still in awe as I soak in a bubble bath, my face mask on and a glass of wine at my side. I have a podcast on, but I’m going to have to listen to it again because I’ve dissected every minute of our time together.
“Get a grip, Addy, you’re not a lovestruck teenager. You’re a grown ass adult.”
But he’s your soulmate, my mind whispers. Didn’t you feel the connection?
“Yes, yes I did,” I say, my voice loud. “But it was one date.”
With a man who didn’t care how much food you scarfed down, brought you flowers as well as some other goodies, and appears to want to be there for you in any way.
Tired of this back-and-forth with my inner voice, I empty the tub then after drying off, pad over to my vanity so I can finish my skincare routine and head to bed. At the end of the day, I had a great time and can’t wait for tomorrow.
“Shit, shit, shit, what do I wear?” I mutter to myself as I stare at the clothes in my closet. It’s still warm out, so shorts would be appropriate, but so would capris. Unsure, I grab my phone and send Mongrel a text.
Me: Hey, what’s the dress code?
Mongrel: Casual, Addy. Jeans, shorts, tank tops, T-shirts. Whatever you’re comfortable wearing.
Me: I kind of thought that was the case, then I started overthinking it.
Mongrel: Whatever you wear will be fine.
Me: Then I’ll see you in a few hours.
Mongrel: Looking forward to it.
I saw his face last night when I mentioned having to clean today and it makes me wish I could break that particular habit.
I doubt I ever will, though, simply because of my childhood.
I know why I do it, and even understand it, but despite the fact that I live by myself, it’s something I can’t seem to change.
I’ve tried and ended up a hot mess, so to my way of thinking, it’s better to just roll with it.
I just hope he understands, although he did say there were things in his own past he wasn’t willing to share.
I got the impression that it was after his parents passed away though because it seemed as though his childhood was idyllic.
Shrugging, I pull out some capris and a top, then start cleaning.
But first, I’m making two strawberry cheesecakes to take with me.
Betty taught me that you never show up empty handed to a gathering.
Even if I’m a guest. I’m also stopping to grab some ice and the soda I prefer to drink.
Once I have the cheesecakes chilling, I quickly scrub the kitchen down, then finish the laundry, and get my stuff prepped for the next day.
I’m off, which I forgot about yesterday, so it’ll be nice to just chill out instead of scrambling around.
Finally satisfied that my place is as good as it’s gonna get, I head into the shower to get ready to go.
I’m glad that I did all the shaving and exfoliating the day before while getting ready for our date, though I still take my time, using my favorite body wash so I can layer my lotion and perfume afterward.
Once I’m out and dried, lotioned, powdered, and perfumed, I stare at my reflection in the mirror, finally making a face at my flushed cheeks. “You act like you’re planning to fall into bed with him, girlie,” I tell myself. My blush deepens as I stick my tongue out at myself, then giggle.
Light makeup, as in barely existent, is quickly applied, then I decide to pull my hair up into a high ponytail since I suspect we’ll be outside and it might be getting slightly cooler, but my hair is so heavy, I’ll end up miserable.
Satisfied that it’s as good as it’s gonna get, I head back into the bedroom and get dressed, opting for a cute pair of sneakers since I have no clue what the terrain will be like.
I get everything packed up, turn the light over the stove on so I don’t come home to a dark house, check all the window locks, then grab the bag holding the cheesecakes and head out to my car.
“This place is gorgeous,” I whisper as a man opens the gate. I know from Mongrel that it’s a prospect, and I’m following where he pointed so I can park when I see Mongrel walking toward me.
Once I shut my car down, he’s at my door, helping me out before he leans down and lightly touches his lips to mine.
Just that simple touch, while innocent in nature, feels so intimate that my heart squeezes in anticipation of the future.
Regardless of my fears, I’m going to take this chance, grab it with both hands and hold on for dear life.
As I told Betty, he ticks off every box I have for a partner.
“Hey,” I say, “I’ve got some bags in the back seat.”
“You didn’t have to bring anything, Addy,” he replies as I grab my purse and toss my keys inside.
“Every Southern woman knows you don’t show up empty handed,” I chide, smiling at him. “So, I made two strawberry cheesecakes and then grabbed some ice and the soda I like to drink just in case y’all didn’t have it here.”
He grins as he opens the rear door and using his good hand, grabs it all.
Then he laces his fingers with mine so I’m on his left side and he walks me to the clubhouse door, where another member is standing, a shit-eating smirk on his face, holding the door open.
I giggle when I see Mongrel roll his eyes at his brother, but once we’re inside and he passes off what I brought to someone else, he turns and says, “Addy, this is my brother, Jonah. He’s prospecting for the club now. ”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say, holding out my hand. “And I’m not even going to say how much y’all resemble each other either,” I tease, “because I’m sure y’all hear that all the time.”
Jonah chuckles while shaking my hand. “We do, but surprisingly, everyone tells me that he’s the favored one.”
“It’s because they don’t know you yet,” I confide.
“Come on, let me introduce you around, Addy,” Mongrel says. “Jonah, I’m sure Abyss gave you shit to do.”
“Yeah, yeah, I was just wanting to meet your woman before I got to it,” Jonah retorts. “Now that I have, I’m headed out to help Pancho with the stalls.”
“Have fun,” Mongrel jeers.
“Still got the jokes,” Jonah replies. “Good to meet you, Addy, I’m sure I’ll see you around.”