And I. I just sat there and savored the wonderful warmth that filled my heart at the sight.
16
Willow
I had parked my van one street away because I didn’t want to use valet parking. After dinner ended, he insisted on giving me a ride to my car in his. When his car was brought around he opened the passenger door for me and I slipped in.
His dark green, top of the line sports Mercedes was like him. Lean and dangerously luxurious. From the gleaming exterior to the pristine interior. It even smelled of a sophisticated, rich blend of spices. Once again, I was reminded that I was a struggling entrepreneur working her butt off in a flower shop in a tiny town, while he was a wealthy, shining bachelor from New York. He could literally have anyone he wanted. Why was he pursuing me? Was it something to while away the time, or did he see me as a quick and easy conquest?
We soon arrived at my van, and instead of waiting in the car while I got out he jumped out of the car and in a flash, was around my side to open it. Honestly, I never had anyone behave in such an old-fashioned, courtly way to me before, and I had to admit that I actually liked being treated as if I was something so precious and important.
After I thanked him, we walked to my van in silence. I tried not to feel embarrassed about the sad state of my van as I climbed into it. I thought that he’d be on his way then, but he insisted on following me back home. Maybe he did just want me for sex. But I realized that somehow strangely I was okay with even that.
The man was irresistible.
Actually, from the moment I spotted him waiting outside the restaurant, I’d been immediately floored by just how breathtakingly handsome he was. He wore a dark gray suit, with a simple, fitted, black T-shirt.
But the way the suit framed his shoulders, or was it his shoulders framed his suit, was absolutely mesmerizing. All through the night, I hadn’t been able to take my eyes off him, his arms, those tattooed fingers touching my skin. I had relished the sultry way he had focused on me through the night, as though he wanted to know everything there possibly was to know about me.
However, at the parking lot, he hadn’t even leaned in for a kiss. Instead, his face had turned serious as he looked around at the surroundings before insisting on escorting me home. Well, in front of my father’s house nothing could happen, but in front of Sandra’s apartment, the possibilities were endless. I chose to head back to Sandra’s apartment.
When we arrived, I parked in front of her apartment building and got out, wishing I had taken Sandra’s advice to use an Uber. Getting down from the van in three-inch high sandals was not very ladylike I imagined.
He got out of his car and he walked over to me, his gaze on the building.
“It’s Sandra’s place,” I explained when he reached me. “I’ll be spending the night with her.”
It suddenly occurred to me that the statement sounded quite provocative, as though I was extending an invitation for some sex and for a moment I panicked. However, he only regarded me coolly, his ocean blue eyes, sharp and attentive.
“Goodnight, Willow,” he murmured. “I had a great time tonight.”
I was stunned. Wasn’t he going to make a move at all? “Me too. But I’m not happy you didn’t let me split the bill with you.”
He smiled, his perfect teeth flashing brightly in the dark. “Maybe next time.”
My heart jumped in my chest. Next time?
“I’ll wait here until you get in,” he drawled in that sexy voice of his.
“Ok,” I whispered, and to my surprise, my voice was hoarse.
Instantly, his gaze went to my lips and remained there. The look in his eyes was incredibly similar to what I imagined was in mine. Longing … potent desire. Something that charred our insides.
But with it seemed as if with great effort he dragged his gaze away from my trembling mouth and started walking away.
The question slipped out of me before I could stop it. “Why won’t you kiss me?”
He froze, then turned around slowly.
I felt horror grow inside me at just how brazen I sounded. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I didn’t mean to say that at all. Must be that one glass of wine I drank. It was really potent,” I babbled. I was so mortified I would have carried on humiliating myself too if he hadn’t taken a step towards me. The words dried in my throat. I could only stare up at him
He took another step closer. “Don’t you know?”