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“We’ll take it,” I announce, pulling out my wallet. Handing the employee a wad of cash, I don’t even bother counting it. Any price is worth the look on Clementine’s face right now.
“Oh, that’s too much,” the man says.
“It’s for delivery, too. I assume you offer that?” He nods. “Good. I’ll need it delivered to my office building in the city. Is this enough?”
“More than enough,” he insists.
“Good. Keep the change.”
“But–”
“Happy holidays,” I say, the words sounding foreign on my lips. Clementine gasps, and I give her a wink. Damn if it doesn’t make her blush.
“Thank you, uh, sir. I’ll ensure it’s delivered by tomorrow.”
I give him a nod, wrap my hand around Clementine’s, and lead her back out to the parking lot.
“Well, that was easier than I expected,” she says. If I knew it’d take less than half an hour, I may have had the Uber driver wait here for me.”
“Uber driver?”
“Yeah, it’s this service where you order a ride from the Uber app on your phone…”
“Ha ha, yes. I know what Uber is,” I say, narrowing my eyes at her. She has the most adorably playful grin on her face, and I have the urge to taste it. “Wait, are you saying you took a ride from a stranger to a secluded spot in the dead of winter?”
“Um, I guess technically that’s what Uber is, but–”
“I’m giving you a ride,” I tell her matter-of-factly. No way in hell am I sending her away with someone else. She’s mine to look after now. Mine to protect and ensure she gets home safely.
“No, it’s fine,” she rushes to say.
“Clementine, it’s cold, it’s snowing, and I have a car with heated seats. This isn’t up for negotiation.”
“If you want to give me a ride back to the office, I’ll catch the next subway or bus to my apartment,” she hedges.
Why is she fighting me on this? I’m trying to be considerate. Trying to take care of her. Why won’t she let me? “How about you get in the car, and we’ll discuss where I’m dropping you off along the way.”
Clementine narrows her eyes but eventually agrees. “Fine. Thanks. I… my place isn’t…” She trails off, not finishing her thought.
I don’t know what she was going to say, but I’m glad she’s letting me give her a ride. I want to know so much more about her, starting with the space she calls home.
Opening the car door, I help Clementine inside and race around to the driver’s side, worried she might change her mind before I get behind the wheel. I start the car, turning on the seat warmers and blasting the heat to thaw a shivering Clementine.
I turn onto the main road, heading back to the city, perfectly content to have my woman beside me. She twists her hands in her lap and fidgets.
I reach over, covering her hand with mine.“What are you so nervous about?” I try to make my voice as calming as possible. I’ve never cared how I sounded to someone else, but with Clementine, I can tell she needs me to be gentle and proceed with caution.
“I, um…” She turns her head and stares out the window in silence.
I’d be worried about coming on too strong by holding her hand, but she’s squeezing it as if I’m the only thing keeping her grounded.
“It’s okay,” I finally say as we pull onto the interstate and head back into the city. “I’m right here.”
Clementine nods but doesn’t say anything in return. That’s fine. I’ll discover her secrets and reassure her that nothing can come between us. Now I’ve found her, no way in hell am I letting her go.
6
CLEMENTINE
