Demi laughed.
“Had to make sure I got the girl.” Pierce shrugged.
They continued with small talk, and he decided he genuinely liked the man.
* * * *
Stunned by the lengths Pierce had gone, Demi struggled to process her thoughts on the drive home. He’d crept in like a cat, and the aftereffect was slamming into her like g-force.
“You’re quiet.”
“I’m in awe.”
He smiled. “I’m going to enjoy that one while it lasts.”
“How in the hell am I ever going to pay you back? This was the surprise to end all surprises.” She turned her body toward him in the passenger seat.
“You not shooting me down was thanks enough, trust me.”
“Who is this smooth line-dropping man in the driver seat? It’s like you were made out of thin air.”
“No, I just never approached you with that…skill set. I was deathly afraid of ruining what we had. So I kept myself in check.”
“And now?” She held her breath.
“I don’t have a reason to, right?” He glanced over at her quickly.
“No.”
The tension in his shoulders eased, and they settled in for the lengthy drive home.
They pulled into her parking lot, and the building loomed in front of her like a rain cloud. Her shoulders slumped, and she sighed.
“I know. I don’t want the weekend to end either,” Pierce said. She turned to look at him, and he reached over, taking her hand. Butterflies flapped their wispy wings in her belly. This is where we set the tone for our future. I’ve been running for years. It’s time to stop, let the past go, and move forward. After all he’d done for her, she’d be a fool to let him slip through her fingers. It wasn’t the money spent, but the thought behind it all that moved her. He’d given her a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and all he wanted in return was a chance to win her heart. As fast as she knew that gave him modern-day knight status. She’d never been the type who needed to be rescued, but a man who came bearing a weekend of cosplay and unconditional acceptance of her geek tendencies deserved to be held in high esteem. Heart pounding like a crazy beat in a techno song, she took the first step.
“It doesn’t have to.” She toyed with the hem of her T-shirt.
“Are you inviting me into your house?”
“Yes.” She peered up at him through thick lashes, floored by the blinding smile he bestowed.
“I accept.”
“You have work tomorrow,” she said, a last-ditch effort to give him an out.
“You’re worth getting up early for, D.”
Fighting the urge to melt in the seat, she cleared her throat. “Let’s get our things. I want to thank you properly for what you did today.”
“Thank me?” His lids lowered, and his pink tongue flicked out and licked his lips.
“Mm-hm. Words alone could never fully express how much this weekend meant to me. But I think with a little…artistic interpretation I can manage it.”
“You want to go inside and paint.” He arched an eyebrow. His lip curled up in an amused smirk.
“Sure, you can paint me white with your paintbrush if you want.” He moaned, and she grinned. “You like that thought, don’t you?”
“What I’d like to do is turn the tables.” He leaned over the console and wound her curls around his hand, pulling them taut. “And be the one in charge.”