Page 50 of Driven to Love

He pulled her into his arms. Stroking her hair, he whispered in her ear, “Pack a bag. You’re staying at my house tonight.”

She nodded against his chest. A faint chuckle slipped out. “You’ll use anything to get me into your bed.”

“You know it.” He pulled back, locking his gaze with hers. “But tonight, you can stay in Davey’s room. Now go. I’ll vacuum.”

For a second, he thought she’d changed her mind and was going to refuse, but then she nodded and slipped past him.

Nash wanted her in his bed, alright. He wanted her safe, and what better place than in his arms?

Today, they had made great strides in their budding friendship. Yes, that kiss stirred something inside. Even she couldn’t deny it. He’d seen the look in her eyes. He’d felt the same spark when their lips met. Not that it mattered. Tonight was not the time. Addison would sleep across the hall. Even if it killed him.

A loud hiss snarled from the back seat. Addison glanced back. Lu was currently shooting daggers at her through his cat carrier. Second doubts whirled in her mind as Nash accelerated away from her house. A patrol officer had come to take her statement. He said it was likely some teenagers, but he’d look into it.

She could have stayed home, but something in Nash’s voice had her packing up her cat. She wouldn’t lie. With all the calls, her car, and now the window… she was a little apprehensive.

Max shook against her chest.

“It’s okay. Lu’s just jealous because I’m petting someone besides him.” She stroked his soft, black fur.

“I thought the benefit of owning a cat was that you could leave them a bowl of water and some food and they’d be fine overnight?” Nash took the corner a little fast, triggering another hiss from the backseat. “Sorry, Lu.”

“Sure, if everything was normal, but not after the broken window. He’s freaked out. Poor baby.” She cooed at her cat.

Nash looked in the rearview mirror. “How can you tell?”

“Hey now. He might be ornery… and a little finicky, but he has feelings. Besides, he didn’t meow for his dinner the moment I walked in the door.”

Nash glanced at Lu again. “Yeah. He’s not that bad. He likes me.”

“That’s an anomaly I still haven’t figured out.” She glanced back at her cat. “He barely tolerates Laney and Marti. And he’s known them his whole life. Heck, Laney brings him treats all the time. I think she’s trying to buy his affection.”

“Is it working?”

“A little. She can pet him for a full minute now.” Addison rubbed the spot behind Max’s ear, and the puppy melted into her lap. “If you have a room to let him loose in, that would be best. I don’t think he’s ready to meet Max.”

“Don’t you mean Max might not be ready to meet Lu? I think your cat could kick my dog’s butt any day of the week. Even if he weren’t a puppy.” Nash turned onto his street.

Addison gazed out the window. In her junior year, she and Laney babysat at the house on the corner. She shuddered at the memory. Babysitting wasn’t for her, but the house… She always dreamed of living in a house like that someday. Addison loved her home, but her detached townhouse was a new build and lacked the charm of the houses in this part of town.

“Home, sweet home.” Nash clicked the garage door opener as he turned in. She was here the other night, but it was dark. Today, she could take a closer look at the modest two-story with perfect diagonal mower tracks. Was that a picket fence in the back?

Addison stared at Nash. Who was this man?

Inside the house, Nash took Max from Addison’s arms. “I’m going to take him out to do his business. Why don’t you let Lu out in the laundry room? I’ll get his litter box out of the truck when I’m done.”

“Sounds good.” Addison glanced around, peeking into rooms. She opened the door beside the kitchen and found a cute little mudroom with a washer and dryer. “Bingo.”

She closed the door and set Lu’s carrier on the floor next to the hamper. “Okay, buddy. I’m going to let you out. Be good.”

Lu’s eyes glowed through the dark interior of the crate. His best behavior barely passed for acceptable, let alone when being a house guest. She glanced toward the door. “Do you think we should go home?”

He blinked and lowered his head.

“Don’t mess with me today, Lu.” Addison exhaled and flipped the latch. The laundry room door opened. Lu bolted from the carrier.

“How’s he settling in? Whoa—” Nash sidestepped as the black fur missile flew right between his legs.

“Lu! Get back here!” Addison jumped up. “Well, shit. He could be anywhere now.”