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Somehow, he's morphed from my own personal nightmare into a dream come true.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Sterling
"So, you're cool with me bringing you here?" I ask, feeling particularly nervous. I can't even pinpoint why I'm so on edge over her liking this, but I am. "You're not upset or anything?"
"Sterling, how could I ever be upset at you for wanting to protect me?"
"True, true." I shoot a cocky smirk her way. "I do what I can."
She laughs, and the sound sends zips of molten energy through me.
"I mean, really, you owe me."
I groan at her teasing, even if there's a thread of truth to it. "Are you ever going to stop bringing up what an awful shit I was to you?"
She grins. "Probably not."
"Fair enough. Now, let's get you signed up."
Once the paperwork is complete, she turns to me with a timid smile. "Seriously though, thank you for an absolutely amazing night. I know I keep repeating myself, but I truly couldn't have asked for anything better for my first date."
I brush a strand of hair off of her face, tucking it behind her ear. "You deserve all of this and more, and it might sound crazy, but if I have any say in it, I'm damn sure going to be the one to give it to you."
Her eyes get a faraway look as we walk back to my car. I can't help but wonder what she's thinking. Deciding to go for it, I ask.
She laughs nervously. "Nothing."
"No, not nothing."
"It's nothing," she insists.
"It's something." I open her door and help her into her seat.
"Sterling, please." She turns her face away from me. "Can we talk about it later?"
I debate pushing the issue, but eventually decide that she's right; we can talk about it later.
"So, what next?" she asks once I'm behind the wheel.
"Well, we can either find something else to do or we can go back to my place...if you're still okay with staying over. If not, I'll take you home."
"No!" she blurts, whipping around to face me. "No, please take me back to your place...that's where I want to be."
Feeling like I've won the lottery, I don't waste a second starting the car and pulling into traffic. The drive home passes like molasses. Every mile feels like ten with her shooting me these nervous, coy looks, nibbling on her lip, and squirming in her seat.
It's obvious there's something on her mind, possibly even something dirty, but I don't want to push and risk her shutting down completely.
Once we’re safely inside of my house, I offer her some after dinner coffee, which she readily accepts. I'm starting to think she might be as addicted to caffeine as I am, if not more so.
"Do you want to drink it on the deck? I can light the fire pit."
"That sounds perfect." Her voice has an almost dream-like quality to it that sends an appreciative chill down my spine.
"Great. Do you think you can handle making the coffee while I start the fire?"
"Pretty sure I can handle your fancy coffee maker, Sterling. It's not exactly rocket science."
I laugh at her smart mouth, loving the little bit of spirit that's starting to break through.
She's no longer the subdued, meek little creature from the start of the semester, instead she's a woman with fire and sass and a will stronger than steel. I love the woman she's becoming, and I'm fucking thrilled that I get to be a part of it. It's an honor, one I'll never take for granted—especially since I know I don't deserve it.
The fire is lit by the time she joins me outside, and we decide to sip our coffee on the small loveseat facing the mountain peaks in the distance.
When I set up my deck, romance was the last thing on my mind, but suddenly I'm glad I let my designer do her thing. Because having Emmalyn this close has me feeling content in a way I've never known before.
"Are you sure tonight was good?" I know I'm a shit, fishing for compliments, but my ego demands it. Something about hearing her tell me it was good settles the part of my soul that screams I'm not good enough and don’t deserve her.
"It was perfect, Sterling. I'll be honest, I was really apprehensive, but you made tonight better than anything I ever could've imagined."
I nod my head, feeling proud that I was able to give her this, as small as it may be. "The next one will be even better."
"It's not a contest, stop trying to one up yourself. Honestly, I don't even think you could."
"Tonight was that perfect, huh?"
Her teasing smile turns serious. "Sterling, I need to ask you something."
Apprehension and dread collide inside of me in a head-on collision. "What?"
"Can I kiss you?”
"Baby, that's not something you ever have to ask for."
