Kori looks up at me and this time I’m the one that got caught staring at her.
“That was fast,” she says breathlessly, as if she’s thinking the exact same thing I am.
“Yeah, glad it wasn’t something more serious. If it does it again, then we’ll have to figure out what makes the wires come loose. As it is, it’s probably from some of the remodeling Colton said you had done a bit ago.”
“Hopefully. What do I owe you?” she questions and there is no way I could charge her.
“No charge, Kori. It wasn’t all that much. Plus, you’ve helped Colton in a big way. That boy, he was on a fast track to somewhere bad. I was worried his mother, or I, would get a call from the police at one point,” I respond.
“He’s a great kid, sometimes they get that way when life gets tough. Since you won’t let me pay you, can I at least take you out to lunch?” she’s blushing as she asks. Kori can think she’s taking me out to lunch, but really, it’ll be me paying, and I’ll get what I really want in the long run.
“I can do lunch, you done for the day?” A plan is already forming in my head, and if I have it my way, she’ll be with me a lot longer than just lunch.
“Sure am, let me grab my purse and we can go.” I watch as she stands up from her chair, grabbing what looks like a tote bag, before heading my way.
When she gets closer to me, I stop her in her tracks. I bring my hand up to her hair, sweeping it to the side, then lingering on the side of her neck. Fuck, but do I want to kiss her.
“You feel it too, don’t you,” she says in a hesitant voice.
“Yeah, beautiful, I do.” We slowly pull apart from each other and I guide her out to my truck, not even allowing her to detour to her own vehicle.
11
Kori
Nate took us to the bigger city outside of our small town of Townsend. I never really come out this way, but the restaurant he took us to served the best food I ever had. I ordered the prime rib sandwich to dip with au jus sauce. Nate had the southern fried chicken, and we both shared a few bites of each other’s food.
The heat I saw in Nate’s eyes when I licked my fingers while moaning about how good lunch was, it was palpable. I didn’t even realize I was doing it until he grunted and moved around in his own seat.
I was blushing like a schoolgirl after that. We never had a moment of awkward silence. We learned everything we could about each other until the sun was slowly lowering.
“I guess we should get back to the shelter, so I can get my car,” I announce. I asked for the check when I thought Nate wasn’t looking but was detoured when he took the receipt and paid. I even tried to pay for the tip at least. He wasn’t having any of that and groused that, “Not going to let you pay, even when you offered. Hell, I appreciate you asking, but if you’re out with me, I’ll be the one paying.”
I let it drop. I knew in this instance I wasn’t going to win, no matter what I said. So, I thanked him, but I already know something I can do to make up for it. After all, it is Christmas time.
“Thank you for everything, it means so much,” I tell Nate as we make it to his truck, he’s in the process of opening my door. Once it’s open and he’s waiting for me to climb inside, I go up on my toes and kiss the side of his cheek. It’s chaste at best, but I wanted him to know today was perfect in every way.
“You’re welcome. Next time you kiss me though, I want your lips on mine, Kori,” he groans, his hand goes to the back of my neck and we look at each other. This man, he sets my soul on fire.
“That can be arranged,” I say with a wink and then turn around to climb into the cab of his truck.
Once I’m in, Nate helps me put my seatbelt on. I could have done it myself, but secretly I think it gives him a reason to stay close to me. Little does he know if I had my way, I’d never leave.
Sure, we just met, but when the heart knows, well it just knows.
He clicks my seatbelt into place, he palms the side of my face, before closing the door, and heading to his side of the truck.
This right here, it’s nothing but pure bliss.
12
Nate
The day ended before I was ready for it. The best part though, is that we both are feeling the exact same thing.