He knows what I’m asking. The last I knew, he was considering trying to get in with the other security team up here so he could be close to me. I need to know where that stands.
“As a matter of fact, I did, but I wasn’t wearing this. I changed into this suit for you. I want it to be clear that I’m serious about what I want. As for the interview, I officially start work for Morgan Thompson Security in two weeks. It’s based locally.”
“Is that the company Rover works for?”
“Yes.”
I nod and run my index finger over my thumbnail, back and forth.
Cody takes my hand. “You still do this when you’re nervous?”
I nod again.
“Can we sit on the couch?” he asks.
“Sure.”
He’s still holding my hand as he leads me to sit down, then he sits next to me.
I speak first. “You gave up your job and are moving up here without knowing where we stand?”
He nods. “It might sound a little risky, but you’re it for me, Lucy. You always have been. I hope to convince you of that tonight, but if I don’t, well, let’s just say I don’t give up easily.”
I can’t help but smile.
“I don’t mean that in a creepy, stalker-y way, I hope you know,” he adds.
“I know. I could tell you were persistent from your texts.”
He inhales. “I hope that wasn’t too much.”
I look down at our still joined hands. “It wasn’t. It helped me this last month. I had a lot to think about.”
“And what did you conclude?”
“I think we should date.” There. I said it.
His grin returns. “Yeah?”
“But please know I don’t like being told what to do.”
He scoots closer, and the scent of his cologne wafts in the air. I’m just about a goner.
“I’m very aware of that, Luce. I will try not to be so pushy. But I will do everything in my power to keep you safe.”
I search his eyes. It’s impossible to deny the sincerity I see there. Right now, in this suit, and with the way he’s looking at me, Cody is the sexiest man I’ve ever seen, and as much as I want to keep my walls up, he’s knocking them all down.
“I know you will,” I say as I find my gaze moving to his full, sexy lips.
We both lean in. Then he kisses my forehead. I pull back, frowning.
“We’re dating, remember? Taking it slow.” He winks. “Come on, we should get going. Date number one is tonight.”
He’s already standing near the door while I’m still sitting, dumbfounded, trying to figure out what just happened.
I turn with a confused expression. “Slow? What, for the third time?” The sarcasm is thick in my voice.
He barks out a laugh. “I have to keep you wanting more. We really should go now, though. I made reservations.”
