Taking it in hers, she carefully hops out. I’m thankful I haven’t lifted this damn thing yet. Now I probably won’t. There’s nothing that annoys me more than men taking out their women in their short little skirts and dresses and then making them climb into these tall monstrosities. Why would you want your woman to show her unmentionables to every unworthy asshole?
Making sure she’s clear of the door, I shut it behind her and activate the lock. Holding out my arm, I wait for her to take it.
“Show me where you live, Princess,” I say, my tone gentle.
I wish I already knew where to lead her, but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be here. I only studied herbrief history to get through the date, but now I will learn every minute detail of her life.
Stepping forward, she leads me towards the largest building in the complex. Three stories tall with a faux stone facade, it’s an older building that the owners have clearly tried to update. They’ve failed miserably but at least an attempt was made. That is as much grace as I will give them. With the sounds of howling dogs piercing the night, and teenage delinquents milling about, something needs to be done about the rules that are clearly not being enforced.
“My apartment is in this building, it’s on the first floor so, you don’t have to worry about climbing up three flights,” she says.
My smirk immediately flatlines.
“You live on the first floor?” I reply, my annoyance taking root at the base of my spine.
“Well, yeah…I mean, uh, yes, Sir.”
“You live in a first-floor apartment in Oak Cliff, by yourself?”
“I’m not all alone, Idohave a roommate,” she replies, tightening the grip on my arm.
Unable to hide the anger rising in my body, I clench my jaw in frustration. No woman should ever be living in a first-floor apartment. Especially one in a less than desirable complex such as this. Now, I don’t know who her roommate is, but if shemeans anything to Dolly, I will make sure she moves at least to the second floor. If she’s the roommate from hell well then, I suppose she deserves to have a man with my appetites break in.
Reaching the entrance, Dolly opens the main door to the building by simply opening the damn thing. No metal key or card key required. My anger spikes. She’s lucky I don’t throw her back into the damn truck and bring her home with me.
“What? What’s wrong, Sir?” she asks, letting me take the door as we cross the threshold.
“When is your lease up, Dolly?”
“I just signed it the other week so, in a year,” she says casually.
Bull fucking shit.
Biting my tongue, my brain sets ablaze. I take a deep breath as we walk to her apartment door. I don’t want to ruin the last remaining minutes I have with her tonight, so I compartmentalize my rage and stuff it into the back of my mind. This situation will be rectified quickly enough; there’s no need for me to do anything rash tonight.
“Well, here it is, Sir! Number one-o-four, home sweet home!” she says sweetly.
Nodding my head, I take a good look at her door. It’s nothing but a hunk of old wood with a single, rusted deadbolt. I’m sure I could force it open just by pressing my shoulder into it. Clenching my jaw, I seethe for a moment before shoving theemotion away. I don’t want my overprotectiveness to ruin the end of our evening.
“I love your wreath, it’s precious,” I say, giving a true compliment to the simple wreath made with faux olive branches and lemons.
Smiling wide, I know she’s clearly happy with my observation. This wreath must be her decoration, and not her roommate's.
“Thank you! Yeah, I uh, it reminds me of Italy,” she says.
“Reminds you? Have you been?” I ask, arching a brow.
Shuffling her high heeled feet, her smile drops. Her beautiful eyes move back and forth a split second before her head follows. Looking for a distraction, she opens her clutch to find her keys.
“Uh, no…no…I’ve never been. Someday, though!”
“You’ll love it, there’s nothing like the Amalfi Coast,” I reply, watching as she unlocks her door.
Pulling her key from the lock, she gives me a shaky smile. I’m not sure if she realizes the implications of my words, but she will very soon. I’ll call my family’s travel agent in the morning and see what can be arranged. She will look so fantastic lounging on the beach in an itty-bitty bikini.
“I’m sure I will. Someday,” she says wistfully.
Holding her open clutch tightly, Dolly tries to put herkeys back inside. I interrupt with a quick clear of my throat before she’s able to.
