"Yes, sir," West agreed, saluting him, then walking toward the side of the building where the garage must have been located. "Hey," he called, popping back out. "Is it true there used to be a tank in here?" he asked, making my brows raise up.
"Gonna have to explain where you heard that to Reign later. But yeah. It's been moved since the SUV is more practical now."
"Hm. Cool," West said, but there was a light in his eyes like a little boy being told he could tour a fire truck for the first time.
"He's gonna ask to see that tank," I told Virgin as I secured the clasp under my jaw.
"Looks like it," Virgin agreed, dropping his hand so he could climb on his bike. "You gonna answer me?" he asked a few minutes later after we pulled up to Thad's apartment building, cutting the engine, waiting for me to climb off.
"Answer you?" I asked, pulling the helmet off, putting it back on its spot at the back of the bike.
"About letting me see you again," he clarified.
"Oh." Yep. There was that eloquence again. "Sure." That was not much better.
"You working tomorrow?"
"Yeah."
"Monday?"
"Half day."
"I'll pick you up there."
"And do what?"
I cringed a bit at that, the words sounding almost suspicious. Like he was going to kidnap and murder me. Which was only on my mind because freaking Abby had her true crime TV shows on nonstop.
"We could eat," he suggested, almost awkwardly. Like he was no better at this than I was.
I found myself somewhat charmed by that, flattered that I was the only woman he had come across that he felt the need to go on dates with.
"I like eating," I said with a small smile. "Is there a dress code involved?"
"Pretty sure anyone would let you in anywhere even in a sack. Wear what you want. What time you get out?"
"Six. But I have to come home first to get changed. I will be covered in various substances by then."
"I'll drive you home."
"No, it's fine. I have my bike."
"Baby, I have a bike. You have a bicycle," he clarified with a smile.
"It has a basket," I told him, beaming a little. I really liked the basket.
"Christ. You're making it worse," he said, shaking his head at me. "Alright. I will meet you here at seven then."
"Sounds good. Aren't you going to... take off?" I asked when he just stayed there, watching me.
"Yep. Once you're inside," he agreed, jerking his chin toward the door.
Oh.
That was sweet, right?
The little skip in my heart certainly thought so as I gave him one last smile before making my way up the path, my shoes dangling from my fingers.
It wasn't until I was safely inside the apartment that I heard his bike rev and pull away.
And me?
I sank against the door, smiling like an idiot, and incredibly thankful that my brother was not around to see it. Then shower me with questions. Demand answers. Answers I didn't really have.
Like was this going somewhere?
What were his intentions?
What did I want?
Well, I could answer the last one.
I wanted Virgin.
In a deep, aching, undeniable way.
But I had never had much of a chance to simply want a man before. To experience something casual. I had no idea how - or even if - I would handle a situation like that.
"Ugh," I grumbled, taking myself across the apartment, dropping down in my bed, those worries overtaking all the light, girlish excitement I had felt for a few short moments.
It plagued me all night, making Thad claim I was a Debbie Downer and he was going out to find some more fun.
It was still with me when I got to work the next day, Abby's eagle eyes watching me for a long moment.
"What's his name?"
Surprised, not thinking better of it, I blurted it out without considering it. "Virgin."
"What? No fucking way! I know him. Well, I don't know him know him. But I've talked to him a few times. He's yummy. Does he fuck like he seems like he fucks?"
"What way is that?" I asked, feeling my spine stiffen in a way that could be called protective, defensive.
"Like he can make you scream god in tongues."
"Oh," I said, choking out a laugh. "I wouldn't know. We have just run into each other a few times."
"Well, when you bump into each other in the more fun way, let me know how it is. Promise? I won't stiff you. The guy meeting me here can make me come hard enough to forget my own name. He's dumb as a stick, but no one said I have to sit around and listen to him after. Oh, speak of the stick," she said when there was a knock at the door, prompting her to drag her giant hobo bag out from under the counter, hauling it up on her shoulder as she made her way to unlock the door.