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Her lips part as if to expand on the conversation. Something flashes on her face I can’t read, and she seems to change her mind. So instead, she slides on her gloves and looks up, waiting for my next direction, which I’m more than happy to give. “Let’s head out.”
I motion for her to go first and hit the light switch and door handle behind her. If she understood this was a date, I’d grab her hand and never let her go. Since we’re easing into the situation, I guide her with my palm on her lower back to my SUV.
When she reaches for the door handle, I wrap my fingers around hers. She vibrates under my touch, confirming she’s impacted too but I don’t call her on the sensation. Our transition requires subtlety. “Doesn’t my son open your door for you?”
Her head bobs with certainty. “Oh yes. Always.”
“Good. Then I’ve taught him well. And I will too.”
Pink that isn’t from the cold tints her face. I resist kissing her and help her climb in. Once she has her seatbelt clicked, I head to my side.
Silent as I buckle up and start the vehicle, she fiddles with the straps on her little white backpack covered in candy canes. Something bothers her and I let her mull over thoughts while I ease into traffic.
“I’m really excited about decorating with you. Thank you for letting me help.”
I glance over at her. She’s beautiful with her bashful smile and flaming cheeks. “So I’m putting you to work and you’re the one telling methanks?”
A cheerful giggle fills the air. “But it’s never work when it’s Christmas.”
Only she would think that. “Nothing with you would ever seem like work.”
She squirms from my compliment. The dazzling smile shimmering on her face scorches right to my cock. No one has captured me like she has in a very long time. “It’s about a forty-five-minute drive to the farm, so we’ll stop and get some coffee on the way.”
“Okay, thank you.”
I haven’t even done anything yet, and she’s already thanked me twice. She’s the politest woman I’ve ever met. “Have you thought about what kind of tree you want?”
She turns completely sideways in her seat to face me. I love how attentive and focused she is.
“I want one that smells the strongest. When Balthazar took me to the fair, I bought us some—”
What the fuck? “You spent your money?”
Her body flinches from my harsh tone, and she curls back into herself, turning to face the windshield again. All my hard work to gain her trust ruined by my temper. But she should not be purchasing shit for us.
With her gaze back to her lap, she shuts me out without realizing it. “They were two votives. I wanted to share them.”
Tiny candles probably don’t cost that much. My grip loosens on the steering wheel. My need to look after her is fucking me up.
“Please don’t be mad at Balthazar. It was my idea. I didn’t mean to get him in trouble.”
The anguish in her plea fucks me up more. He loves this girl and would never mistreat her. I need to remember that and not put her on the defense. “He’s not in trouble.”
Soulful eyes meet mine, full of pleading and angst. “Really?”
“I promise. I just…”
Just what? I’m not used to appeasing hurt feelings or explaining myself. I suck in a deep breath. “Don’t spend money on us. We’re the ones who take care of you.”
“But I like taking care of you too.”
Of course, she does, because she has a huge heart that needs to be filled. Which we’re going to do. “I like that as long as it doesn’t cost you any money.”
Another wiggle rolls through her fragile body, which I’ve figured out is her sign of pleasure. I wonder if she’ll shimmy like that when I’m buried balls deep inside her. I sure as hell look forward to finding out.
Her smile remains as we pull into the drive-through of the coffee house. The electronic board lists endless concoctions of drinks. “What would you like?”
“How about a small gingerbread cookie latte?”
