Chapter 4
MILLER
After insisting I drive Lindsey home since she’d been drinking, I’m pulling into her apartment complex. Mike is following in my car to pick me up, but he parks down the lot, giving me space and time. I’m sure he knows this is a rare occurrence and is willing to give me some space.
I get out of her truck, walk around, and help her out. She’s smiling and I grab her hand as I look at her. “I know we talked about our second date going to Red’s Diner, but I have an event tomorrow night I can’t get out of. Go with me. It’s a fundraiser at the community center in Whiskey Run.”
She’s already shaking her head. “I can’t.”
I just look at her pleadingly, and she laughs. “I really can’t. I have a night shoot tomorrow in downtown Jasper.”
I want to beg and plead with her, but I can also respect that she has work. “Downtown Jasper at night? Sounds dangerous.”
She laughs. “It’s not, not really. I’ll be fine.”
Mike approaches us. “Can I carry her stuff up?”
“That would be great. Thank you, Mike.”
“But—” Lindsey starts.
Reluctantly, I let go of her hand. I grab the bag that has her camera and another bag in the back seat. Mike grabs the lights in the bed of the truck, and when we’re both standing here with our hands full, Lindsey gives up. “Follow me.”
Mike and I follow her to the apartment building, up the two flights of stairs, and she stops at apartment 3C. As she’s unlocking her door, the door across from hers opens, and a man comes out full-on smiling. It drops when he sees Mike and me standing here. “Lindsey, you okay?”
She smiles, but I’m happy to see that it’s not the same smile she gives me. It’s more restrained. “Yeah, hey, Walter. This is Miller and Mike. They’re helping me get my equipment in.”
Walter walks out of his apartment. “Oh, I could have helped you.”
Lindsey shows us where to put things down, and instead of following her in, I step to Walter. I move one of the bags to my other hand and reach out. “Hey, Walter, it’s nice to meet you. Lindsey and I are dating, so I figured I’d better introduce myself since I’m going to be around a bit.”
His jaw tightens, confirming what I already guessed. The neighbor is into my girl.
Mike walks out of Lindsey’s apartment with a chuckle. No doubt he heard me practically staking my claim. He puts a thumb over his shoulder. “I’ll be in the car.”
I nod as Lindsey joins Walter and me at her front door. “Anyway, it was nice to meet you, Walter.” I walk into Lindsey’s apartment. It’s small, but it’s cozy and welcoming.
She says bye to Walter and closes her door with us inside. She points to the couch. “You can just set it here.”
I set the bags down. “Lindsey?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know your neighbor is into you?”
She sighs. “Yeah, I know. I’ve turned him down and told him I don’t date neighbors. He’s just… being friendly.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t like it.”
She laughs. Full-on laughs at me and holds a finger up. “Uh, do you know we just met today? You’re awfully possessive of a woman you just met.”
I let my head fall back, and I groan. Hell, I’ve never felt this way before, and I’m not sure how to explain it to her. “I just want you safe, that’s all.”
She seems to preen with that answer, and I figure I’ll ask now. “Can I have your number?”
She holds her hand out, and I pull my phone from my pocket and give it to her. She types her name and number into my contacts. “I put my number in, but for some reason I feel like you already have it.”
I bite my lip because what she’s saying is true. Besides sitting and watching her all day, I was scouring everything I could find about her. So yeah, I already got her number and memorized it. But I didn’t have to because she just gave it to me.
“Text me. When you get home tomorrow night.”
She smiles up at me, her blue eyes sparkling. “You want me to text you after my shoot?”
I nod, and she agrees.
Reluctantly, I walk to the door. “I had fun tonight, Lindsey. I’m looking forward to our second date.”
I open the door, and she leans against it. “Me too.”
I stop and hover over her. I want to kiss her so fuckin’ bad, but I don’t want to mess this up. “Uh, I guess I’ll see you. But seriously, text me tomorrow so I know you’re home safe.”
She nods, and with one last look at her lips, I turn to go.
I’m almost through the door when she stops me. “Miller.”
I turn quickly, but I don’t realize how close she is, and I have to reach out to hold her steady. “I”m sorry. What?”
She’s fiddling with the hem of her shirt, almost shyly. “Your rule about no drinking before sex. What about drinking before a kiss?”
My heart starts to race. “You want me to kiss you, Lindsey?”
It’s like she has been holding her breath and lets it out in a big rush. “Yes.”
I step toward her, and she leans against the opened door. I slide my leg between hers, doing everything I can to get as close to her as possible. I cup her face in my hands, and she’s looking up at me with a vulnerability I’m not used to seeing.
Slowly, I bend down and press my lips to hers.
I intended to keep it swift and gentle, but as soon as our lips touch, it’s like I can’t let her go.
She melts against me with a moan and burrows into me.
Her arms go around my waist, and she pulls me against her.
I nip at her lip, and when she opens, giving me better access, I slide my tongue into her mouth, and she whimpers.
The kiss is hot and heavy, and I don’t want to stop, but if I don’t, I’m going to throw her over my shoulder and carry her to her bedroom and take her like I want to.
She moans again before I pull my lips from hers. Leaning my forehead against hers, I catch my breath. When I pull back to look at her, she’s looking at me with wide, curious eyes.
I press my thumb against her swollen lip. “Fuck, I want you.”
She’s about to give in. She said it wouldn’t happen earlier, but after one kiss, she’s ready and wanting. Before she can tempt me, I let go of her and take a step back. “Text me tomorrow. I want to know you made it home safe.”
She nods, speechless.
I reach out to touch her again but stop myself. “Tomorrow,” I say again.
She nods, and I step out of the doorway. “Close the door, honey. Lock it.”
I don’t know how to explain what’s going through my head. But I need to know she’s behind closed doors and safe in her apartment. She looks at me longingly, huskily whispering, “Goodnight, Miller. I had a good time tonight.”
I nod. “Me too, baby. Me too.”
She softly closes the door, and I wait for the lock to latch before turning away.
I look at the closed door across from Lindsey's. I know he’s watching us through the peephole, and I’m glad he got a good view of that kiss.
I give Ol’ Walter a smirk and a wave, and then I practically skip down the two flights of stairs, whistling along the way.
I may have just met Lindsey, but after one kiss, I know she’s going to be the future Mrs. Brody.