He walked back in with a sheepish look on his face. “I don’t have any food.”
Her eyes widened. “None? Why?”
He sat down at her hip. “Because I don’t eat here, and I never cook.”
“Then what were you going to make me?” she asked with a smile.
“I was going to make you scrambled eggs. I didn’t think I could screw that up to bad, but I decided on take-out.”
She laughed.
“I’m having something delivered. I hope you like Chinese?”
“I love it.”
“Good.”
He maneuvered her into sitting, sat where her head had been lying, and then pulled her onto his lap.
“What are you doing?”
He briefly closed his eyes. “Holding you.”
“Why?” she asked as she looked up at him.
“Because I want to,” he said simply.
She snorted.
“While we wait for the food, I want to talk about a few things.”
She got more comfortable against his chest. “Okay.”
“Would you mind it if I pick you up after work every day?”
Her eyes widened. “What? We haven’t even had a date.”
“We could count the other night. We sat and talked and had chocolate milk in your apartment.”
He smiled when she laughed.
“But it doesn’t matter. I want us to get to know one another, and I have a strong urge to take care of you.”
She rolled her eyes. “We hardly know each other. I think it’s asking a lot to have you pick me up every day.”
“Why?”
The smile fell away from her face at the seriousness of his tone. “I … you really want to take care of me?”
He rubbed his thumb over her cheek. “Yes, baby. I want that very much.”
“But you don’t know me.”
“I know enough. With a little time, I’ll know everything about you.”
A frown puckered her brow. “What if you don’t like me when you get to know me?”
He lifted her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m pretty sure I’m going to want you no matter what.”