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“What did you have in mind? I’m stuffed and feeling a little sleepy at the moment.” She offered a lazy smile as the two left TasTey’s with War holding the door open for her.
“You think you can manage a little shopping?”
“Shopping?” Cali stopped on the sidewalk facing War. She knew this man had money but she didn’t want or need him spending it on her.
“Yeah, I need to pick up something. Got a call that my watches are ready. I was gonna head over to The Shops at the Falls. If you’re not tired of me yet, you can ride shotgun.”
“I guess I can tolerate you for a little longer,” she offered, garnering a light chuckle from War.
“Bet, I’m over here.” He motioned to the Range parked along the curb not too far from her vehicle.
“I can follow you. I have my car.”
“We can come back later to get it. Ride with me.”
She hesitated briefly then agreed. “Promise you’ll bring me back.”
“Yeah, man. I’m not gonna hold your pretty ass hostage. Unless you want me to,” he admitted, leaning around Cali to open the passenger door after they made it to his vehicle. She blushed for what might have easily been the hundredth time.
War was good for making her feel seen. His compliments were steady but plentiful which made Cali feel as if he were being genuine. It wasn’t like he referenced her looks or body like most men. It was more about her smile, her thoughts. Her personality and her vibe. She appreciated his view of her. She knew War was attracted physically.
The sex had been amazing and she craved more. From the lingering looks he offered and the subtle way he took her in, she could only assume he felt the same but their time together wasn’t only of a sexual nature. Things were comfortable and easy. She liked that.
When the two stepped into the mall Cali instantly felt the air surrounding them shift. War had noted she could go anywhere in the city and mention his name but witnessing that effect was an entirely different thing.
The way people followed their every move made Cali uncomfortable. She wasn’t the type who liked attention which was why she appreciated flying under the radar with Merritt. Most of their time was spent at her apartment or tucked away in their favorite spots—restaurants and craft places.
She forced his hand with paint and sips and making pottery, which he was awful with, but Merritt never did complain. Whatever Cali wanted, he granted. It wasn’t until this very minute she realized they hardly ever spent time in places that put them in the spotlight or exposed them to public attention.
Malls, events, parties, or clubs. They never frequented any of those places, but Cali didn’t mind. She wanted Merritt all to herself. She hadn’t considered that maybe there had been a reason he’d kept her out of the public eye. Merritt had something to hide.
Me.
“You good?”
“I’m fine.” She offered a soft smile as War settled Cali into his side, dropping an arm over her shoulder. This man was very comfortable with her in his space. Or very confident no one would challenge the idea of them being together.
“You look like you’re lost in your thoughts. I feel like an outsider right now. You feel like sharing?”
His tone was light. When she glanced up and found those alluring dark eyes, hooded and focused, Cali couldn’t help but smile. She loved his face and the spray of freckles that ghosted his cheeks and nose. “Just noticing the way all these people recognize you.”
“All?”
“Okay maybe not all but a lot of them. It’s like they’re watching but when I look at them, they turn away or duck their heads.”
“They don’t want me to see them staring.”
“Why? Are they scared of you?”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “I don’t fuck with anyone unless they give me a reason. If they haven’t, they have no reason to fear me.”
She had a feeling their curiosity and obedience was deeper than that. War was a different breed of man. The respect he held, which he promised would protect her anywhere in the city, was the same promise of wrath she assumed would threaten others’ safety.
War, however, appeared to be unfazed and relaxed like no one existed but the two of them as he guided her to a corner of the mall that housed a high-end jewelry store. The woman behind the counter greeted them both with a smile as soon as they were inside.
“How can I help you?”
“I brought in two watches to be cleaned. They called to let me know they’re ready.”
