Page 138 of I Choose You

My plan didn’t backfire, though. He seemed uncertain at first, wanting a clarification of if we were still faking anything. It stung that he’d think we were. I’d laid myself bare for him—several times—so, I felt silly in assuming we’d evolved beyond “fake.” I’d stopped pretending with him days ago.

After he dropped me off at home, he agreed to pick me up and take me to my mom’s later that evening. We’d enjoyed a lazy day of the hot tub and sex, so by the time I walked inside my apartment, I had to scramble to prepare.

First, I called Mom to tell her that I was bringing things to make dinner at her house.

Thank God she didn’t have plans. She didn’t seem shocked, only confused.

Then I hurried up and made an order to be delivered there. It seemed easier than picking up groceries here and toting them over. I oddly fantasized about what it would be like to go to a store and meander with Kaden. Something simple and domestic. It shouldn’t have sounded like an adventure to look forward to one day, but even that mundane errand would be a new experience to share with him.

I’ve lost my mind. I hated grocery shopping, but here he was, changing my attitude about it.

I glanced at the clock and chewed on my lip, debating what I should hurry and do next. It seemed like it had been so long since I’d been home, toiling away with my routine. I’d need to start bringing a bag with me if I would be staying at Kaden’s so often.

“Argh.” I covered my face with my hand. “First grocery shopping together. Now I’m daydreaming about moving in?” I shook my head. “Slow your roll, girl.”

Okay. Now what? I didn’t have time to go to the gym, but the idea of a spin class sounded unappealing anyway. I wasn’t so sore I was walking around like I needed to slip ice packs in my panties, but I wasn’t eager to have to touch that narrow seat.

“Oh.” That reminded me. I grabbed my phone and put in a notification for another wax. I grinned, blushing even in the privacy of my apartment. Rena was right. It did make a difference. But I’m not going to Brazil.

In the end, I killed time by catching up on laundry and doing some yoga poses in my living room between loads. While I was at it, I reached into my closet to grab the sweatshirts and fall clothes I’d stored from last year. Sweater weather would be here soon, if it wasn’t already, and I may as well be ready.

In the first bag, I found the perfect thing to wear tonight. I grinned, eagerly anticipating his reaction.

By the time I finished cleaning up and tidying my place, I was waiting for Kaden to pick me up.

“Long time, no see,” he drawled. Dressed down in jeans and a button-down, he looked good enough to drag him inside for an appetizer before going to my mom’s house.

I slid my hand down his shirt, reveling in the dips and peaks of his muscles. This big strong man was all mine.

He caught my wrist and turned to cage me against the side of his SUV. I leaned my back against the surface. My heart raced in excitement, and I tried not to grin too wide.

Narrowing his eyes, he lowered his head toward mine.

Why? Why is it so damn sexy when they put their arm up like that and lean in?

“You wore that to tease me, didn’t you?”

“What?” I blinked, feigning innocence as I dragged my fingers over the edge of my shirt. I’d left the top three buttons undone.

“Plaid?”

I grinned as he growled and opened the passenger door. He hoisted me up into the seat, following me in to kiss me hard. I panted when he backed up an inch.

“I can’t wait to rip that thing off you later,” he growled.

Oooh. He shut the door on that promise and I smiled harder before he got in.

The drive to my mom’s was flirty but casual. I loved to play with his fingers, holding them and tracing over his knuckles. We chatted a little bit about work, but mostly we joked about what kind of tattoo he could get. The more ridiculous, the better.

“What is the big deal about plaid?” I asked, goading him to tell me. “The design? The colors? A life-long repressed fear of golf pants from the seventies? What?”

“It’s more to do with kilts,” he mumbled.

I giggled, shaking my head. “Yeah, that makes me more curious.”

He shot me a close-lipped glare, pretending to be mad.

“Please?”