The shame instilled by my father surged, forcing my eyes shut and my head to bow. It was the jingle of the truck’s keys that opened my eyes. The key fob was gripped in Dash’s hand. All the man unto myself deal faded as my glare pinned him. “Give me back the keys.”
“Come and take ’em.” The cocky words accompanied a swagger-filled pivot as if he held ultimate control. And in a way,he did. He rounded the hood and started up the walkway before glancing back with a sly grin. “Is this where I add, I win?”
I had forgotten how persistent he could be in getting his way. Seemed the trait had only intensified.
“You’re stunning,” Dash called louder from the porch, keeping my retort on my lips. “You’ve grown into a handsome man despite the scowl you’ve worn all the way home. You’re taller and stronger. Do all those muscles on your arms get heavy?”
I had no choice but to leave the truck and follow, my frown deepening. Dash laughed me off, not something people usually did with me. As I drew closer, I added, “You haven’t grown an inch more.”
His response was to lift the key fob to initiate the truck’s locks.
“All the ways I envisioned this to go…” Dash moved closer to the front door under the bright porch lights.
Before this moment, I hadn’t been able to stare openly at Dash. My thoughts drowned him out as he left me stunned speechless. I never imagined he could be any better looking than the young man I remembered.
Boy, was I wrong. He exuded easy charm and effortless sophistication, and his matured masculine features held a captivating allure. From the sweep of his now sandy blond hair, almond shaped eyes, straight nose, and strong jaw framing perfectly plump lips, he made it hard to turn away.
How could I have thought I’d be able to see him and walk away? That drove me to the bar for one last glimpse. The reason I stood in front of him right then.
My savior. The only hope I’d had for years.
“What did you think would happen?” I asked, picking up the conversation from the last thing I remembered hearing. I tucked then fisted my hands into my down jacket issued by the university’s athletic department.
“Remember, I have a vivid imagination. My dreams had you hoisting me over your shoulder then going caveman on me. Or I’d do that to you. Either way, neither of us left the house for a month.” Dash shrugged and stepped backward to the front door as I grew closer. “That’s usually as far as I got. I kept envisioning the different ways we’d spend the month.”
“You consider that a vivid imagination?” I countered.
Dash opened the front door. His smile widened as he extended a hand, gesturing me inside first. I stepped through the entry, immediately surveying the open floor plan. It was the nicest house I’d ever seen, but also the oddest.
It had a western vibe yet also ultra-modern. Lots of color, fine matching furnishings and glass walls. I was drawn deeper inside as I cocked my head to look up the curved staircase, sweeping up to the second floor from the left of the entry.
“Those are my roommate’s rooms,” he said. The front door closed behind me, the lock clicking in place.
“Think that’s gonna keep me in?” I teased, casting a quick look over my shoulder.
“I hope I’m what keeps you in,” he replied with his usual quick wit.
With deliberate movements, Dash came to face me. He lifted on his tiptoes, cupping the back of my neck. With the pressure he applied, my head bent. Not that it took much effort on his part; I was a willing participant. His body pressed against mine. We stared at one another, internally communicating like we used to do.
“You can do much better than me,” I whispered. My gaze drifted down to his lips.
“So you’ve said for years now.”
I dipped, he lifted, our mouths melded together once again. This kiss wasn’t exactly chaste. The strength and manipulationof my lips held passion, but I also didn’t allow it to escalate. We returned to our silent stare.
His conveyed concern.
Everything I had ever felt for him was back in force.
“I waited for you, but it was becoming difficult.” I wasn’t sure of his meaning, but I suspect it had to do with sex. My assumption seemed correct, judging by the way his arms crossed over his chest as if struggling to maintain composure.
“You don’t have to explain or justify anything to me.” Yet it hurt. The pain swiftly lanced my heart. I didn’t want to hear more about his sex life and stepped around Dash, heading into the living room. Long windows also lined the back walls of the house. The dark night beyond captured my full attention until I took a full turn, taking the house in from this direction. “What’s goin’ on with this place? I haven’t ever seen anything like it.”
Dash’s tone regained its humor. “A couple of years ago, the house was a Christmas present from my family,” he explained and moved to stand in front of me again. “I remodeled based on something I saw in France. It’s an ultra-open floor plan on both floors. In this part of the house, the walls are glass. I thought it was cool. Maybe not as much now as I once did. My guests can’t resist touching the glass in awe, which means Amelia have to work full-time to help me keep them smudge-free.” He nodded toward the rear of the house. “My area’s back there. It’s more private.”
“Your area has real walls?” I asked and grinned.
“There’s the smile I adore. Come back and see.”
