Chapter 16
Covey
As soon as I have a bag packed, we drive one block over to Cici’s house. She has me pull into the second spot in the garage and smiles sweetly at me.
“C’mon, after we get settled, I’m supposed to go to Cord and Macy’s house. I'm sure they expect you there too.” Cici slips from my car and unlocks the door that leads into the house. She places her purse and keys on a little wooden table and kicks off her shoes.
She leads me to where the spare bedroom is, on the opposite side of the house from hers. As much as this feels more intimate, I need to remember this is just a friend helping out another friend.
“I feel like I should explain where everything is, but your house is set up the same way, so it’s kind of pointless.” She drops her gaze to the ground and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I appreciate this more than you know. Thanks, Cici.” After tossing my bag on the bed, I turn and pull her into my arms for a quick hug. “I wish I could offer to cook or clean or something in exchange for the room, but I won't be home enough to do that.”
“Oh, stop it! You don’t owe me anything. I'm happy just knowing you’ll have hot showers and a hot tub to use when you come home sore from work.” She waves me off and heads back towards the living room.
“Do you want to talk now or later?” I ask softly, unsure of when we should have our little heart to heart.
“Let’s do it now. We can be a little late for dinner.”
She settles onto the couch, leaning her back against one armrest. I mirror her position and take a deep breath. I need to make sure she understands how much she means to me.
“I'm sorry I missed dinner. I should’ve texted you as soon as I found the house flooded. I was an absolute jerk.”
“It’s ok… I was really upset when I thought you stood me up. I thought we- I don’t know what I thought, but I thought you were just blowing me off.”
“Not at all! My stomach sank when I realized I had missed dinner and never contacted you. When I got my new phone and the texts and missed calls came through a little while later, I felt like I was going to be sick. I’d never do that to you, Cici. You mean too much to me.”
I grab one of her feet sitting on the couch next to me and tug it into my lap. I begin massaging her foot, giving myself something to do with my hands so I don’t fidget.
“I'm not mad at you anymore, Covey. I was just hurt when I didn’t know everything that was going on.”
“Is there anything I can do to make it up to you? I’d still like to take you out on a date.” I smile shyly at her.
I’ve never been super confident when it comes to women. I’ve had a lot of women flirt with me and throw themselves at me, but I don’t enjoy that. I want someone to like me for me and not because of my bank account. I have a feeling Cici feels the same way.
“Date, huh? Are we considering it a date?” A slow smile spreads across her face and I can’t help but chuckle.
“Yeah, I want to give it a shot if you’re willing to. Unless the thought of dating me is repulsive to you, then I just want to take you out for dinner as a thank you for the room.” I dig my thumbs a little deeper into her arches.
“Holy crap. If you keep giving me foot massages like this, I’ll say yes to whatever you want.” She sinks lower on the couch so her head is on the arm rest.
“That’s good to know. If I ever want to propose, I should just massage your feet during my proposal, forget about getting down on one knee.” I wink at her.
“I think I need to agree to the date before I agree to marriage.” She smirks.
“Cici, will you please go on a date with me the next time our schedules allow it?”
“Yes… but only if we don’t go to that Mexican restaurant.” She grimaces.
“Yeah, what happened with that?”
She goes on to explain what happened after she got to the restaurant and I wasn’t there.
How she exchanged numbers with Adam and the text messages.
She tells me all about how today went and I feel bad for her.
She’s an amazing woman and it makes me furious that he belittled her and made her feel bad the entire time.
“On the bright side, I can honestly say your wealth doesn’t bother me. I'm not intimidated that you make more than me. I don’t care if you wear jewelry that costs more than someone’s car.”
I try to hide my smile, but when she swats at my chest, I chuckle and grab her wrist. I tug her towards me until her legs are draped over my lap and my arm is around her waist, holding her against my side.
“I'm serious, Cici. Where Adam felt threatened by your money, it honestly makes me feel safer. I know you’re not after me just so you can benefit in some way,” I say softly.
“Maybe I should be worried you’re after me for more money,” she teases.
“If I were, I’d go after your dad and ask for a raise.” I lift my hand and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. I let my fingers trail down her neck before slipping my hand to the back of her neck. “If you don’t want this, you need to stop me.”
“Not a chance,” she whispers as she pulls me closer.
My mouth covers hers in the most electrifying kiss I’ve ever experienced. She allows me to take the lead and when I tilt my head to the side to deepen our kiss, she places her hand on my chest, right over my erratically beating heart.
We kiss for what feels like hours and milliseconds all at the same time. I know instantly I’ll never get enough of Cici. I’ll always want more. I might as well get down on one knee and propose to her now, because after one kiss, I'm addicted to her.
She makes me feel loved and cherished. Like I'm more than just a man who can give her the life she wants. Like I matter to her.
I pull back and rest my forehead against hers. Taking a second to catch my breath, I stroke my thumb over her soft skin.
“You did agree to our date, right?”
“Yes,” she giggles. “Did you forget already?”
“Sweetheart, after that kiss, I'm not sure I’d remember my own name.”
“Covey!” She laughs even harder.
“Thanks for the reminder,” I tease her, loving how carefree she is with me.
“Now, I can’t wait to go on our date,” she whispers softly.
“Me neither… I'm also pretty happy with my sleeping arrangements.”
“You’re not coming in my bed.” She points a finger in my face.
“No, but I’ll be able to see you before and after work. I’ll get to kiss you good morning and good night when I'm not traveling.”
“Hmm, that is true.”
“I’ll basically get to spend all of my free time with my girlfriend.” I grin as I tug her in for another kiss.
“One kiss and now I'm your girlfriend?” She snakes her arms around my neck and smiles against my lips.
“Sweetheart, I'm not letting you go.”