Jacob was one of the Richmond family drivers. And there was no way I’d wait for him to open my door. I got out on my own, because I wasn’t a small child, and headed for the trunk for my bags. With Dash’s normal flair, no matter the rush, he spent several seconds smoothing out his clothing. I didn’t remember wrinkles being such a problem for Dash before. If a possible hair went rogue, that would have to be rearranged too.
Even though we were in another typical back-and-forth, this time I stood my ground. Dash’s flashy ride was way out of my league. I’d be too self-conscious and have a wreck due to my own anxiety. I needed a spacious vehicle that wouldn’t break the bank to drive. Something like a pre-owned Silverado.
The trunk opened automatically on my approach. My eyes narrowed at such a feature. This was a fancy ride too.
“I got it,” I said as Dash came around the trunk. The driver followed, quickening his steps.
“It’s all right, Jacob. He frustratingly tends to do this,” Dash explained.
Dash wore a fresh turtleneck that accentuated his long neck and covered the evidence of my desire—hickeys to be exact, and the suit jacket he wore to the wedding, but Dallas had had a significant drop in temperature. One of Dash’s hands was stuck awkwardly in the jacket pocket, the other held a set of keys out to me.
I shook my head. I wasn’t driving the car. “Calm down. These are for the house. You’re the most maddening person alive.”
As I pulled the luggage from the back of the vehicle, Jacob began a low rumble of laughter, trying his best to keep it inside. Dash tilted his chin toward the driver, a brow arched critically.
“What? Dash,” Jacob said. “You know this is funny. You always get your way.”
“Apparently not any longer.” His no-nonsense tone and sharp words had me doing a double take. Dash nodded the driver back into the vehicle.
Jacob had driven the Richmond family for decades. Based on the conversation from the airport to Dash’s place, the driver and Dash had a great relationship. He brushed off Dash’s tone and went back to the driver’s seat.
“You need to get to school.” I hoisted the last bag, which contained almost everything I owned, from the trunk. It wasn’t much. Easy enough for one trip into the house. “Are you takin’ your bookbag?” I asked, surprised to find Dash had moved closer, standing inches from me by the trunk. My guy didn’t care who saw him. While that was a good trait, it wasn’t one I shared. Dash rubbed his hand across the curve of my ass for the world to see.
“What’re you doin’?” I hissed, but it wasn’t the question it might seem.
“The best part about being together is that I can do that whenever I want.”
“Was there an answer about the bookbag in anything you just said?”
“You’re such a challenge,” he replied, staying all in my space. “I’ll take the bookbag. Kiss me. I loved last night.”
I leaned in for a swift, chaste kiss, something based on Dash’s stern facial features, he didn’t like, and I took several steps backward. “We do that inside the house.” Although I sounded gruff and drawing lines all over the place, I didn’t really mean it. I was in love. It made me vulnerable. I had a lot changing on me very quickly, but I didn’t fear it with Dash by my side. And I was certainly going to walk him to his car to get tucked safely inside.
The ridiculous melancholy that had haunted me all morning kicked up a notch. I agreed to be in the house waiting for his return to spend another night just like last night. I figured we’dneed more sleep. Dash barely closed his eyes, me, not at all, due to being lost in staring at the beautiful man currently beside the automatically closing trunk.
“Good luck today,” I murmured, “Get inside your car so I can go inside.”
“Mr. Beau,” Amelia’s cheerful voice echoed from the porch. “I’m so happy to see you.”
I couldn’t resist the beam I gave. She was like a warm hug on this chilly day.
“I have to go,” Dash called, waving at Amelia, already halfway to his car. “Amelia, we’re a couple now. He’s moving in with me.” He shot me a wink, tossing his bookbag in the backseat. “Come kiss me goodbye. Pretend you’ll miss me. I’ll miss you.” He motioned for me to follow him to the driver’s side. Both my body and my brain propelled me to him. They left me no choice in the matter.
“I thought I kissed you enough last night,” I teased quietly. Dash stood with the car door open, waiting for me. I kissed him quickly with hints of passion. Perhaps Amelia saw us or heard the conversation, I wasn’t sure.
My insecurity was shedding off me in waves.
His hand patted my chest. “That was yesterday. This is today. Last night, you set the standard of expectation.” He pursed his lips tighter. I obliged and kissed him again. “We’re in the honeymoon phase.”
“Go to school,” I said at his silliness, fixing the straps on my shoulder to keep the bags from falling forward. “Do well on your test.”
“Always.” The confidant, cocky expression spoke more of truth than arrogance.
“I’ll be here holdin’ down the fort, job-huntin’. Go so you can get home faster.” I started nodding and moving away from the car toward the front door. He had the classic, old schoolHollywood actor appearance and charm. Dash’s indecision played out in different expressions on his adorable face. He battled whether to go or stay. I easily read him.
Amelia’s soft chuckle drew me her way again. She appeared genuinely excited to see me. It felt good to be wanted. The dry winter grass crunched under my feet as I went her way.
No matter how I tried, last night stayed in the forefront of my mind. I’d be waiting for Dash to return, naked in his bed. I’d also think about bottoming. Dash’s many suggestions that I needed to try kept running through my head. I’d figure it out soon enough, but not today.
