Chapter 19 #2
When we pulled into my family’s U-drive, there was already a large assortment of cars parked.
Most of which were my siblings’ and their partners’.
But I noticed a couple of cousins’, aunts’, and uncles’ vehicles, too.
The majority of my family still lived in New Harbor, so simple dinners often became mini family reunions.
And since my parents owned one of the largest homes in town, equipped with a basketball court and a pool, they rarely received declined invitations.
“No one’s…” I sighed when he shut the door and came around to my side.
“It took two seconds,” David noted flatly when he saw my disapproving stare.
“I counted ten,” I said. “And no one’s watching. Besides, you don’t have to lay it on thick. My family’s not going to grade...”
David brushed a twist behind my ear, his thumb lingering on the lobe. Nothing about it should be sexual, and yet, it was as if he’d pinned me against the car door to kiss me breathless.
“Someone is watching,” he whispered, leaning closer.
Our height difference was a non-factor most days.
He wasn’t much taller than I was. But while cupping my jaw and keeping my gaze upward, I was keenly aware of how easily he could block the sun’s heat and keep me cool and protected from the elements.
“Ever since we pulled in.” David’s lips were by my ear, hand on the roof of the car, keeping me between him and the door.
It should feel claustrophobic. Despite that, I want to reach out and grab his shirt.
Suffocate myself in his familiar scent. That wouldn’t be a bad way to die.
In fact, I thought it might be preferable.
I also thought I was losing all common sense.
“Second-floor, third window on the right.” David pulled back just a little so I could meet his gaze. There was no sign of dismay in his eyes. No hitch in breath. No dilated pupils.
The best part about being at odds with David was that I was never alone.
Together, we were stranded on an island, finding cover in a shoddy shelter from the ground up.
Somewhere along the lines, I’d discovered a new stretch of land not too far off.
I’d swum here on my own, and it was painfully lonely.
I preferred disagreements over this. Jabs. Taunts. Anything not to be this lonely.
“That’s the third floor,” I whispered, keeping my voice steady as I glanced up to find the window he was talking about. “Probably one of my sisters. Rose’s room is up there. It’s the only one my mom didn’t convert into some house project.”
“She converted your room into something else?” David frowned. “Why? There’s like fifty of them.”
“Only eight.”
“Only eight,” David repeated with a low, disbelieving laugh. “Three floors and only eight rooms, pardon me.”
“Sorry.” I took a breath. “I wasn’t trying to…”
His expression softened. “I was teasing, Daredevil.”
David’s hand was still on my jaw, thumb massaging circles on what were now tense muscles.
“I know where you come from,” he said. “I’m not trying to make you feel bad about it.”
I scoffed in disagreement. “That’s quite a change of tune.”
“I only ever wanted you to admit things were nice on this side of town.” With his thumb on my chin now, tilting my head higher so I’ll hold his gaze. “That you were royalty in this town.”
“Royalty’s a stretch.”
“Your mom’s the mayor and your dad’s a lawyer who owns like half of the restaurants.”
“She was voted in, and kings don’t exactly own chain cafes and law firms, last I checked.”
“You’re practically a princess.” David wouldn’t budge in his stance. He stepped back, though, giving me enough space to duck into the car and grab my bag. I straightened up in time to see his gaze on my ass.
“Were you checking me out?” I laughed, cheeks burning at being noticed by him. In all our years, David’s gaze never strayed in curiosity or admiration… at least, not that I’ve seen.
“Felt appropriate.” He shut the door behind me. “We’re still in our honeymoon stage. As a new couple, it makes sense for us not to keep our eyes off each other.” David’s all matter-of-fact and even-toned.
“All couples are different.” Heat sparked through my stomach when he tucked a twist behind my other ear. His fingers didn’t linger this time.
“Fair.” David nodded. There was a little red in his cheeks, but I wasn’t sure if it was because of the conversation or the chill in the air. “If you’d prefer I didn’t, I won’t.”
“I don’t mind,” I said a little too quickly. “I was just surprised. It’s strange. We’re not exactly each other’s type and—”
“Since when?” David frowned.
I raised a brow. “Since the dawn of time.”
“You have a bad habit of making sweeping statements.” He looked genuinely pissed. “You should get in the habit of speaking for yourself. We’ve already proven you don’t know enough about me to know my type.”
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
“So? What’s your rebuttal? I know you have one.”
There would be no argument from me. He was right; I didn’t know enough about him to make a decent claim of knowing his type.
“Maybe if you opened up a little and gave me a fighting chance, I’d have one. Maybe I’d know your type.” I tilted my head to the side, studying him and considering the best way to get him to take on the challenge. “I dare you. Open up.”
He scoffed and shook his head. “How would you like me to do that exactly? Which part of me do you want to see?”
I shrugged, too embarrassed to let David know I was interested in every dark corner and closed door.
“You don’t have any parameters?” he asked, unconvinced.
“Only one is to be honest,” I said. “Tell me what you’ve told your friends on the team. Tell me enough about you to make me understand why they’d speak so highly after only knowing you for four years.”
“Four years is a long enough time to be close to someone.”
“Nine’s longer,” I countered with a bit of fire in my tone. “Are you forfeiting or not?”
“Not,” he assured. “Never.”