I stood there stunned.He’d walked away?
“Lock up and set the alarm,” he said through the door.
“Bossy man,” I shouted but turned the dead bolt.
“You have no idea.Night, sweetheart.”
His footsteps sounded heavy on the wooden stairs, and I leaned against the door, my lips now tingling along with my body.
The Lucas I saw today at Rustic was more forceful than before, but tonight he’d been tender and understanding.Would I ever figure him out?Maybe one of these days, but not tonight.I wanted to savor the feelings running through me and hold them close.Lucas made me feel like a real woman.
Chapter Nineteen
Lucas
Waking early Saturday morning, I jumped out of bed with a hard-on and a plan in mind, excited for my day with Valerie.Actually, I’d decided it was going to be more than just a day.I texted her and told her to pack an overnight bag.She sent me back an emoji with a question mark.My reply:Do it.She sent back a laughing emoji.
Did she not realize I was ordering her to do something?I chuckled.Of course she did, but her reaction wasn’t what I expected.I wasn’t worried.Valerie had worked her way into my heart.Well, truth be told, I don’t think she ever left.
After a shower, some strong coffee, and a quick breakfast, I packed a bag and threw it in my SUV, then I gathered up a couple of blankets and pillows and filled a cooler with water and snacks.If we used them, great.If not, that was fine, too, but it was better to be safe when traveling in the mountains.
I’d been very lucky, thanks to a last-minute cancellation, to get a reservation at the hotel I wanted to take Valerie to.
I paced, anxious to get the trip started.Glancing at my phone, I saw it was only eight-thirty, and I’d told Valerie I’d pick her up at ten.Could she be ready in thirty minutes?There was only one way to find out.I punched up her number.
“What’s up?”she asked.
“How did you know it was me?”
“You’re programed into my phone.”
Why hadn’t I thought about that?“Do you think you can be ready in thirty minutes?”
“Impatient man,” she muttered.
“I am.Can you?”I wasn’t going to argue with her.
“Yes, I can be ready.”
“Good.See you soon.”I hung up and almost called her back.After double checking the packed car, I climbed in and drove down the street.It hadn’t been thirty minutes, but I didn’t care.I’d sit in her driveway.
Valerie was waiting on the stairs with her bag in hand when I pulled up.After stepping out of my vehicle, I bounded up the steps and reached for her bag.“How long have you been standing out here?”I didn’t like the idea that she’d been standing outside waiting for me.While it wasn’t cold, there was a chill in the air, and she wasn’t wearing a jacket.
“Maybe ten seconds before you pulled up.”
Good, she hadn’t been out here too long.But then it was maybe a minute or so drive to her house.“You all ready?”
“Yep.”
“Did you pack a jacket?”
“Yes, oh impatient man.”
“That I am.”I brushed a kiss over her lips and pulled back before I wanted to.“Let’s get this adventure started.”Taking her hand, I guided her to my vehicle.Once she was seated, I put her bag in back with mine.
“Do you want to stop and grab some coffee and breakfast for the road?”
“That would be nice since I barely got my coffee down before someone decided he needed to pick me up early.”
