“I’ve got my eye on you,” Mason says, moving his pointer and middle finger back and forth between him and me. “Treat my goddaughter right.”
“Uncle Mason,” Georgia groans.
Mason pops his palms up in surrender.
“Let’s do dinner soon,” Tristan says, extending his hand out for me to take. “I’ve gotten to know a little about you as my daughter’s roommate, but I’d like to get to know you now as her…”
“Friend,” Georgia says before I can answer. “We’re friends, Dad.” Like hell we’re just friends, I think but don’t say out loud. She probably doesn’t want her dad to give her a hard time, but we’ll definitely be clearing that shit up when we’re alone and I’m not at work. Georgia and I are more than friends. We might be in the early stages of this relationship, but she’s mine.
“Let me know when you want to get together and I’m there,” I tell him, shaking his hand.
Once he’s gone, Georgia sighs. “I’m so sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry about.” I tug on the front of her tank so she’s forced to come closer. “You have a lot of people who care about you.”
“I do,” she says. “I better get going…”
“Yeah.” I cup the side of her face and she looks up at me. “But first, I need to do this…” I dip down and capture her bottom lip with my own, then her top. She moans into my mouth, parting her lips slightly, and I push my tongue inside, quickly tasting her, before pulling back.
When I open my eyes, hers are still closed. I press one more soft kiss to her perfect mouth and then her eyes flutter open. “I really like kissing you,” she admits.
“I really like kissing you too.” I tuck a wayward strand of her hair behind her ear. I need to get inside, but fuck it’s hard to let go of her.
“I better go,” she says.
“Yeah,” I reluctantly agree. “I’ll see you later with dinner, right?” I couldn’t give a fuck about the food. I just want an excuse to see her.
“Definitely.”
After I watch her get into her massive truck and take off, I head into the station. The guys are all standing around bullshitting, but when they see me, like the assholes they are, they start hooting and hollering.
“So, it’s true?” Luke asks. “Is Mr. Manwhore officially a one-woman man?”
I can see Alec standing in the corner, staring at me and waiting for my reply. I look over at him and our eyes meet. “Yeah, as far as I’m concerned, I’m off the market.”
The guys all cheer and laugh—everyone except Alec—but I don’t take it personal. Just like I told Georgia, actions speak louder than words. Once Alec sees through my actions how serious I am about Georgia, he’ll come around.
Georgia
Chase: I have to stay late for a meeting. When I get home I was thinking we could do something.
Me: Sounds good.
“Who are you texting with?” Lexi asks, a sly smirk on her lips. “Your boyfriend?” She scoops a bit of oatmeal up and feeds it to Abigail, who opens her mouth like a cute little birdy.
I was surprised to find Lexi, with Abigail on her hip and breakfast in her hand, standing on my doorstep first thing this morning. But since I’m always down for spending time with my sister and niece, it was a pleasant surprise.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I correct her, popping a piece of blueberry muffin into my mouth. “We’re just… talking… hanging out,” I say, hoping I come across nonchalant. The truth is, I don’t know what we are, and I don’t want to get hurt thinking we’re more while Chase is assuming we’re less.
“Really? Does he know that?” She swipes up on her phone and types something quickly, then turns it around.
I stare at her screen to see what she’s showing me, but I’m not sure what I’m looking at. “Is that his profile pic?” I look at a smiling Chase, dressed in his work uniform. His arms are crossed over his chest and his muscular forearms are bulging slightly. He’s so damn sexy without even trying.
“Georgia, focus,” Lexi says. “Yes, it’s his profile picture and yours.” I realize then, my picture is next to his. “He updated his status this morning, putting that he’s in a relationship with you.” Her eyes go wide. “Nothing says more serious than making it Facebook official.”
I crack up laughing. “Does anyone even go on Facebook anymore?”
Lexi groans. “I don’t know. Who cares. The point is he did, and when he did, he publicly announced that he’s in a relationship with you. Didn’t you get the notification?”
“I don’t even have the app on my phone. I only go on it to see the photos Grandma and Grandpa post while they’re traveling.”
Lexi rolls her eyes and feeds Abigail another bite of her food. “Well, everyone saw this. Mom… Dad… All your guys’ friends and family.”