“Bullshit.” I pushed away the plate of food and crossed my arms before leaning down on the table. Our gazes locked and I wouldn’t let him look away.
Nate let out a huff. I didn’t like the way his body had gone all rigid. It feltwrong.
“Who are you?”
The question seemed to throw him off. His brow furrowed, confusion clear across his face. “I already told you. Nathan Tu?—”
I shook my head. “No. I want you to tell mewhoyou are.”
His teeth gnawed at his lower lip and his apprehension seemed to grow the longer we sat there looking at each other.
“I don’t know what that means. I-I am telling you.”
My mouth opened to try and explain what I meant, but as unease rolled through him as he struggled with such a simple question, my heart ached for the way he seemed to flounder and be completely lost over such a simple question. But I was also curious, and I wanted to see what his answer was.
I waved my hand in a gesture to let him continue and sat back.
He took a breath, rubbing his hands on his thighs. His gaze shot toward me from under his lashes for a moment before he went back to looking at the table, as if he couldn’t bear to look at me.
“I’m a land developer. I buy land and businesses that are neglected and revitalize them into something new, ideally something that benefits the community, but I’ll admit, it doesn’t seem to always work out that way. I like learning new things, but it’s usually from books because I’m not very good with people.”
I let out a sharp whistle.
“Wow. Okay. I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting the job.” With a chuckle, I leaned forward and offered him a soft smile.
My eyes raked over him, noticing the little things. The way his outfit was perfectly tailored, even though it was more on the casual side. That told me it was expensive, designer, not something bought from a big chain store. So, he obviously was good at his job and did well for himself. So, despite his claims of notbeing good with people, he probably didn’t have a hard time finding people for hookups.
Which begged the question, why was he fixated on me?
“Did you follow me to the club?”
Wide eyes shot up to mine before they quickly glanced back down as he worked through the question. The gears were practically turning at light speed as he tried to figure out the best answer, before he finally swallowed hard before sitting back in his seat. His fingers flexed slightly against the table, and I wondered if it was a tell of a truth or a lie. Something to tuck away to figure out later.
“Yes.”
Oh. The admission stunned me. I opened my mouth to respond, but I wasn’t sure what to say to that. Everything I’d prepared had been in anticipation of a denial. Begrudgingly, I had to give him some respect for not trying to bullshit me.
“Why?” That was the one thing I couldn’t figure out. If he knew my name and where I lived, then he could have just as easily gotten the information on where I worked or even my phone number. So, why didn’t he just approach me or text me?
He had to know it was creepy either way.
For the first time, he seemed uncomfortable as he shifted in his seat. “Because I wanted to see you. But I didn’t think I should. I thought I could stay away, that it would be best for you.”
“Why?” I felt like a broken record, but I didn’t understand. And I didn’t like the fact that he took the choice away from me, but then barged into my life anyway.
A heavy sigh left his body, like he was explaining something simple to a child who was acting stupid. I was starting to get annoyed.
“Most people don’t actually like me once they get to know me. I thought I’d be doing you a favor.” He picked up his glass and chugged the rest of the water that was still in it before heset it down. The silence stretched on for an uncomfortable amount of time, but he stared at the ice as he shuffled the glass from hand to hand.
“You do know stalking is illegal, right? And it’s not too smart when you decide to do it to a cop.” What I wouldn’t tell him, was the way his attention made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Like he cared enough to watch over me and protect me. Which was ridiculous, because I was a cop and could protect myself.
He nodded and his Adam’s apple bobbed, his eyes not leaving his hands. His mouth opened and closed a couple times, as though he were trying to figure out his next move, or to work up the courage to ask his next question.
“I suppose this is the end of our first and last date?” His eyes flickered up to my face for a moment before darting back down. “And that I’m under arrest.”
I’d barely heard the last part, as he spoke so low, but the dejection in his voice was obvious, even if the words hadn’t been at first. As the words took root and my brain processed what he was assuming, my heart lurched.
Fuck. No. I said I’m not forgiving him.
