Chapter 12
The week flies by, and thankfully, nothing too eventful happens.
There are no more creepy run-ins with Allen.
I think me threatening to talk to HRgot it through his head that I’m serious about not wanting any of his advances.
I should probably still report him, but I’m in too good a mood.
Everything just goes smoothly and I’m grateful for it.
Cory and Trina both notice my good mood. Cory teases me during lunch Tuesday.
“Kinley, did you get some dick this weekend? You sure look like you had something good happen. Something relaxing maybe?”
I’m not one to kiss and tell. There is only one person that I ever spill all the dirty details to, and that is Megan. While I do want to talk about Don, it’s still too new, so I just end up laughing him off.
“I just had a great weekend, some much needed girl time on the lake.”
I talk to Don every day. The more we talk, the more my attraction for him grows.
There are no new changes with Todd, so Megan is doing ok. And it’s finally Friday; in a few hours I will be out with Don. The butterflies in my stomach are a riot, and I’m a giddy, anxious mess.
I feel a little crazy, because I’ve never reacted to a man this strongly before.
I don’t have a ton of dating experience, but I also am not a young, naive little girl.
There is just this unexplainable feeling that meeting Don is going to have a profound effect on my life. I just pray it’s a good one.
The school day is finally over, and I quickly pack up, trying not to run out the door.
There is more than one instance in which I’m tempted to shove some slow moving kids out of the way so I can get to my car faster.
When I finally make it, I give myself a mental pat on the back for not succumbing to the urge of shoving or yelling at teenagers to get here.
I quickly throw my bags in the back seat and am about to climb in, when I feel a heavy feeling in my chest, and the hair on the back of my neck rises. I clasp my chest, as my heart pounds erratically. What is going on?
I look around, but there are so many people in the parking lot, no one stands out. And just as quickly as it came, the feeling goes away, my heart rate decreases. Well, that is fucking weird.
I shake off the feeling and get into my car, and I don’t waste any more time getting out of there. I have just enough time to get home, feed Beretta and Indy, and get myself cleaned up.
Don won’t tell me exactly what we are doing tonight, but he did say to dress casually. Now I just have to figure out if I’m going to wear jeans or a dress. Would it be too slutty to go without panties? It is a little embarrassing how much time I pondered that question.
An hour and a half later, I’m dressed, the pets have been fed, and I’m pacing a circuit around my living room while I wait for Don to pull up to my house.
I’ve rearranged the pillows on my couch twice and refolded my throw blankets at least that many times.
I’m a mess, and with the way Indy is glaring at me, I think he is going to take a swipe at me if I don’t stop my fussing.
I know he is on his way, because he texted me earlier saying he was. I have no reason to be this anxious, but I can’t help it. This man is amazing, and not one red flag has popped up, which is extremely surprising.
Was that a red flag? No! Don’t overthink it…
I reach for a pillow that still doesn’t look properly fluffed but I jerk my hand back when Indy hisses at me.
I huff at him, but I still need something to do, so I go and check myself one more time in the mirror.
It’s going to be a little chilly tonight, so I decided on some black leggings and an off-the-shoulder cream sweater that just barely covers my butt.
I don’t work out a ton, but I have a killer ass, so I might as well highlight it.
Maybe I should add Pilates to my weekly routine?
I have a feeling I’m going to need the added flexibility.
I let my hair down, putting in some loose beach waves, and I kept the makeup I already have on. I have been blessed with really great skin, and I’m thankful I have never needed a full coverage makeup routine.
I know I look good, but there is always a nagging voice in the back of my mind that makes me doubt it. I have worked really hard to overcome that inner voice over the last eight years.
Ugh, I have to stop doubting myself…Don is amazing…I am a fucking catch…I just needed to find a man…and he is a man…shit, did I put deodorant on…
My phone ping interrupts my anxious thoughts and I run over to grab it.
Don is here. A smile I can’t even begin to stifle spreads across my face.
Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I walk out of my bedroom and towards the front door.
I notice then that Indy and Beretta are both sitting on the couch, watching me.
My white harlequin tuxedo cat and my large black dog make quite the picture standing guard in my living room.
They look like they are going to lecture me on my curfew.
“Do I look ok guys?”
They blink at me, and I giggle a little, because it is silly to think they would answer me.
“Be good you two; don’t wait up!”
I walk out the front door, and there he is, leaning up against his truck.
He is so handsome, it takes everything in me not to sigh and bat my eyelashes at him.
He pushes off his truck as soon as he sees me, prowling up to me.
Without even a pause to greet me, he sweeps me into his arms and kisses me.
I don’t even need to think; my body instantly responds to him. My arms come up around his shoulders, anchoring me to him.
Too soon, he gently breaks the kiss, his deep sigh bringing even more warmth to my belly.
“How do you always smell so good?” He breathes in my scent deeply. “If I didn’t have plans I was looking forward to taking you to, I’d be very tempted to persuade you to let me into your house right now.”
I know if he insisted, I would let him, too. I’m utterly infatuated.
Still trying to catch my breath after that kiss, all I can seem to do is blink at him.
Touching his forehead to mine he murmurs. “I missed you this week.”
I melt a little, he is so sweet.
“I really missed you, too. So, where are you taking me tonight—or is it still a mystery?”
I need to steer the conversation to something that isn’t going to make me burst into flames of lust. His sweetness, paired with the sultry look he is giving me, isn’t helping my resolve. So, dinner seems like the safest option.
“Well, I guess I could give you a hint. There is food there.”
My eyes roll. “I would hope so, I’m starting to get hungry.”
“Come on, let’s get going, before I get distracted again by how good you look and smell.”
There I go blushing again. It is getting a little ridiculous how much he makes me blush. Is this normal?
“Hey, don’t forget to lock your door.”
He smirks at me as he turns back towards his truck. I frown at his back, because if he hadn’t reminded me, I would have completely forgotten.
Door officially locked, I quickly follow after him. I wasn’t lying when I said I was getting hungry.
I catch up to him, his hand reaching out to take mine as he then leads me over to the passenger door and opens it for me.
I guess chivalry isn’t dead. I hop up into the truck, and I might have wiggled my butt a little in his face.
His deep groan as he shuts the door makes me smile mischievously, and I watch him try to adjust himself slyly as he walks around to the driver’s door.
We drove for about thirty minutes, talking about our day.
It feels nice and normal. I loved messaging and talking on the phone with him throughout the week, but physically being in his presence is one hundred times better.
Don holds my hand, brushing my knuckles with his thumb as he drives, and even though it’s wreaking havoc on my hormones, I never want him to stop.
“I hope you’re ok with drinking tonight.”His deep voice pulls me from my thoughts. The restaurant we pull up to is actually a brewery.
“I thought you said there was going to be food,” I look over at him with a raised eyebrow.
“It has a kitchen. They actually serve food that compliments what beers they have on tap.”
“Oh, that sounds interesting.”
“Plus, they have a really great patio out back.”
He turns the truck off and climbs out. Following suit, I circle to the front of the truck. He reaches for my hand as I draw near, tucking me in close as we make our way inside.
The back patio has a rather romantic view of a river with a small waterfall. The hostess directs us to a table with bench seats. I go to sit across from him, but before I can, Don pulls me in close.
“Sit next to me. It’s a little chilly out, I don’t want you to get cold.”
He slides onto the bench and pats the section right next to him, causing fluttery wings to stir in my stomach. He’s so perfect; please let this be real.
“ It’s so pretty out here. If the food and beer are as good as the scenery, I can’t wait.”
“The company is definitely top notch,” he says quietly as he pulls me in close to his side.
“I’m really glad we were able to get together so soon. I know it’s probably going to sound silly, but I really like spending time with you.”
“It’s not silly at all, Kinley. I feel the same way; we have a really great connection.”
I smile up at him. It’s nerve-wracking, confessing things to someone I still don’t entirely know. I really want him to know that it doesn’t feel like a casual thing for me.
“I’m really glad we met Don. I don’t think I have ever felt comfortable with someone the way I feel with you.”