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“You don’t have to do that. It will warm up quickly.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to.” He reaches out and runs his index finger down my cheek. “I want to take care of you.”
I don’t know what to say, so I hand him my keys, and he grins. Sliding into my coat, I let the night wash over me, considering the last few hours. It’s funny how things can change in the blink of an eye.
“All set?” he asks, coming back into the house.
“Yes.” I stare up at him as he wraps his arms around me, pulling me into a hug.
“How’d I do?” he asks.
“Not bad for a player.”
“Yeah? Well, lucky for you, my playbook is full.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “I have no doubt, Jase Andrews. Of that, I have no doubt.”
“Come on. I’ll walk you out.” He leads me to my car with his hand clasped in mine. “Text me when you get home?”
“Okay.”
“Drive safe, babe.” He kisses me one more time, just a soft press of his lips against mine before opening my door for me.
As I drive away, I glance in the rearview mirror. My face is lit with a smile, and then there’s Jase. Standing with his arms crossed over his chest, he watches me drive away. My smile grows.
What started as a favor to my boss turned into a night I will never forget.Chapter 3JaseI’m fifteen minutes early. I couldn’t stand another minute staring at the clock watching as each minute slowly ticked by. I needed to see her. So, here I am. Climbing out of my SUV and making my way to her front door. I raise my hand to knock, but the door swings open before I get a chance to.
“This another play in your book? Impress me by being early?”
I smile at the beauty before me. She’s wearing a sweater, with black leggings. Her hair hangs down around her shoulders, and she literally takes my breath away. “No,” I tell her honestly. “But I wanted to give you time to put these in water, and for us to not be late.” I hand her the bouquet of flowers I’ve been holding behind my back.
Her eyes soften. “Well played.” She grins, taking the offered bouquet and smelling them. “Thank you, Jase.” She steps back. “Come on in while I put them in water.”
This is the first time I’ve ever been to her place. I should be taking this opportunity to look around to learn more about her, but I can’t tear my eyes away from her. I’ve wanted Sam for so long, and for the first time in over a year, I feel as though we might be making some progress.
“Ready?” she asks, walking toward me.
“Almost.” When she’s within reaching distance, I snake my arm around her waist and pull her into my chest. “Just need to do one thing first,” I say before my lips descend on hers. The kiss is slow and sweet, but it lights a need inside me all the same. “Now, we can go,” I say, forcing myself to pull my lips from hers.
“Yeah,” she says, “we should do that.” She tries to step out of my hold, but that won’t do.
“Do you have everything you need?” I ask.
“Yes, I just have a box by the door I need to take with us.”
“What’s in the box?”
“A poinsettia for Lena, and a bottle of bourbon for Stanley.”
“You trying to make me look bad, baby?” I ask.
She shrugs. “I still need to fill out the cards. I can add your name to them.”
“You ready for the meaning of that?”
“I don’t know,” she replies as I bend and lift the box into my arms. “When you’re ready, you let me know.” Shifting the box to one arm, I lace my fingers with hers and step outside. I wait for Sam to lock the door before guiding her to my SUV. I left it running so it would be warm. I quickly open the back door and place the box inside, before moving to open her door for her.
“You know, you don’t need to do all of this to impress me.”
“Do all of what?” I ask, confused.
“The flowers, carrying boxes, opening doors. I already agreed to go with you.”
Nodding for her to climb in the SUV, she does as I ask. Quickly, I shut the door to ward off the chill of the evening air and race around the front. Once I’m inside, I turn to look at the woman who has captured my attention. “I’m not trying to impress you, Samantha. I’m trying to treat you like you deserve to be treated. I know you don’t have a very high opinion of me, but I’m more than some dumb jock who plays on and off the field. I’m a man who desires your company. That’s it. This is me. It’s who I am. You’ll have to learn to take it or leave it.” I hate that I’m being harsh with her, but I don’t know what it’s going to take to prove to her that this is real.
