"That's probably a good idea."
He jumped up, taking my hand to help me stand up, then packing away the blanket and shakers. His arm slipped around my waist as he walked me to the parking lot.
"It's that blue one," I said. "Borrowed from Mom."
Then he pulled out his phone. "Your number, please?"
He made a new contact for "Brooke Beautiful," then assigned it a ringtone that sounded a bit like the flute music that played when we were dancing. My phone went off in my purse from his test text.
"I just don't want to think of your last name when I text you," he said. "That's a reminder that your father and I are going to have a hugely awkward conversation at some point."
"Maybe we could avoid that for a while," I suggested.
The thought of discussing this was-it-a-relationship with Dad was uncomfortable. I knew he would be upset. Somehow it would be yet another point that proved I wasn't as wonderful and perfect as Katrina.
Although so far, Warrick was definitely perfect for me.
He slipped his phone into his pocket, then his hands circled my waist, holding me close as we swayed back and forth, almost dancing.
"I don't want to let you go. But I also don't want you driving home late." He smiled gently, then drifted his lips along my cheekbone. "Will you text me when you get home?"
"Sure."
"Maybe you'd like to see the lab tomorrow?"
I nodded for half a second before he captured my lips, kissing me softly but deeply as he pinned me between his body and the car. It made it easy to imagine what we'd be doing together if we were alone.
The thought of being with a man made me a bit nervous, but Warrick made everything feel natural. My hands drifted around the back of his neck to caress his skin, as he gently pressed our bodies together.
I couldn't hold back the moan against his mouth as I felt his erection shift, standing at full attention as our bodies moved together.
Instantly he pulled his hips back. "I'm so sorry, Brooke. I don't want you to think—"
Pulling his lips to mine, I cut him off with another quick kiss. "It’s okay," I whispered. "I'm thinking the same thing."
He grinned widely, making his eyes sparkle. "I love that we're on the same wavelength. It's almost as if… "
Warrick stared at my shoulder strangely, then his gaze drifted off into space.
"As if?" I prompted gently.
"The right wavelength! An electrical burst would line up the molecules and help the bonding process in those specific materials."
Warrick's eyes were wild. "I'm sorry, beautiful. I have to go."
He hurried me into my car, then as soon as the door was locked he sprinted across the parking lot and jumped into a dark green SUV. I waited until he peeled out of the parking lot before starting my car and driving home.
"Kooky" indeed.
By the time I got home, I assumed that Warrick would be completely absorbed in whatever idea had been triggered, so I didn't expect him to respond to my text.
Me:Home safe. Thanks for a great evening.
He responded less than a minute later.
Warrick:So sorry I had to take off. Finally figured out how to get two materials to stick together properly.
Warrick:I hope that you'll stick with me, even when I'm a weirdo. Can't wait to see you tomorrow, beautiful.