Chapter Four #4
All three kept guard as they reached the outside world. Nervous, Rosie glanced around as if the shadows would jump out at her. Louis kept his hand in hers, and she was one hundred percent okay with that.
You are not alone.
“I ruined your night out.” It hurt. Her first night out and it ended so badly.
“You did no such thing,” Hank assured her. “That was all him.”
“I hope it won’t stop you coming out again,” Louis said.
She paused. Then she realised it wouldn’t. As long as she was with Louis, she knew she was going to be okay. And they still wanted her to hang out with them. That actually meant so much.
“No. No it won’t.”
That made him smile.
When they got closer to her home, Rosie pointed to her door. “This is me.”
Strange. She had never had colleagues know where she lived due to wanting privacy, and to keep her work life separate from her personal life. Yet, she felt absolutely fine with the three of them knowing her address.
They proved they could be trusted.
Spencer and Hank hung back a bit. Staying nearby, they were also giving Rosie a chance to breathe and have a moment alone with Louis. Not even Louis approached her front door, respecting that this was her home. Her space. He stood by her gate at the bottom of her little path.
Taking the few steps up to reach her front door, she faced him.
He kept his promise, and he had come for her when she had needed him.
Not in an all-out fight kind of way, but subtle like she would want it handled, although he did look ready to do more if it hadn’t been for Hank.
They had proved that they could be professional outside the workplace.
That they didn’t start fights but would defend their team. People they cared about.
Her.
All three had been willing to protect her. Most importantly, Louis would protect her.
Suddenly feeling bold, and wanting to end this night on a positive, she asked, “Not coming up?”
He tensed. His expression became concern. “Not unless you want me to.”
Staring at him, she nodded. “I would really like you to.”
Slowly, he opened her gate and took the steps up to meet her. She felt so tiny beside him, but she wasn’t afraid of him.
She pulled his shirt gently, trying to tell him what she wanted. How was he not cold?
He tilted his head. How could she already know what each tilt meant? Are you sure?
“I would really like to kiss you,” she admitted.
His gaze softened. “I would love to kiss you, but you have been through a lot tonight. I am not taking advantage of that.”
“You wouldn’t be,” she stated. “I feel safe with you. Tonight ended badly, but it doesn’t have to stay negative. I want to kiss you. I really do.”
A moan escaped his throat. He stepped closer. “Be very sure.”
“It was amazing watching you defend me. I am nowhere near as scared as I feel I should be. Because of you.”
“I am not kissing you because you feel the need to thank me.”
Wincing, Rosie realised how that sounded. “What I meant was, I have feelings for you. I feel safe with you. Cherished. I want to kiss you, because I want to kiss you.”
On her tiptoes, she brought their mouths closer.
There was that sound again. That moan. This time, his eyes were closed.
Cupping her cheeks, he leaned closer so he could kiss her gently.
It was soft, yet still possessive. Blood rushed through her veins, leaving her feeling warm.
Fuzzy. Desirable. Gripping on tight, she did not intend to let him go.
Her lips moved against his, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Like they had done it a thousand times before.
I would be so onboard with that.
Releasing a breath, he threw himself back and took a step down. His chest was pumping hard as he breathed. Rubbing a hand through his hair, he looked like he was fighting himself to kiss her again.
Don’t fight it.
“Wow. That was one heck of a kiss,” he blurted out.
That made her smile knowing he felt the connection, too.
His finger swiped over her lips, as if imagining kissing her again. Closing his eyes, he took another step back. And another.
“Leaving so soon?” she asked innocently.
She felt powerful all of a sudden. This man wanted her.
“If I kiss you again, I will not be leaving.”
“Would that be so bad?” she teased.
His eyes popped open, searing her with so much heat.
“Absolutely not. But I am a gentleman, I need to earn going through that door. Maybe one day you will let me cook for you in your kitchen. I want to spend time with you first. I want us to get to know each other. If you would like to go on a date with me, that is?”
Was he serious? Louis Ledger, her mortal enemy mere days ago, was asking her on a date. She barely stopped herself from doing a happy dance.
“That sounds wonderful. Maybe not in the next day or so . . .” Still feeling shaky, she wanted time to settle. Louis nodded, completely understanding. She took a step closer and took off his jacket. “Do you at least want your jacket back?”
“Keep it and think of me.” Winking, he disappeared into the night and regrouped with his friends.
Just like that, she had agreed to a date with Louis Ledger, captain of the Ice Hounds.