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“I’m taking you home.”
“Oh.” She took another misstep and leaned into me unsteadily. I held her, keeping her upright. Dammit, being this close to her and touching her was torture. I tried to think of something, anything, besides the impure thoughts that kept creeping into my head.
She was drunk and probably still shaken by what happened.
When she tripped again, I cursed under my breath before easily lifting her into my arms. Didn’t she know better than to drink too much and trust herself to be safe out alone with a stranger on a first date? There were a flock of assholes in this world who would eat her up.
She slung her arm over my shoulder as I carried her bridal-style, rounding the corner of the building.
“You’re so strong,” she mused and laid her head on my shoulder.
“And you’re…” I stared down at her. What? Adorable, enchanting, making me feel like a depraved asshole for being attracted to her?Just get her home, Aaron. “You’ve had too much to drink.”
She giggled. “I’m sorry,Dad. I’m twenty-one and of legal age to drink.”
I winced at being reminded of our age difference. Luckily, I saw the black Escalade pulling up in front of us, away from the line of cars at the valet.
Ben stepped out and opened the door for us, an enigmatic look on his face. He’d been with me for years and knew I’d never left any place with a woman in my arms.
I threw him a warning look that said,Don’t ask.
He nodded solemnly.
I set her down in the leather bucket seat and buckled her seat belt before dropping down in the seat beside her.
Ben slid behind the wheel and glanced over his shoulder at me. “Where to, sir?”
I touched Amber on the shoulder, asking gently, “Where do you live?”
She peered up at me, wrapping her arms around her stomach. “I don’t want to go home.”
“You should.”
“I’m still a little shaken over what happened.”
Of course, she was. I couldn’t blame her. “Okay,” I said slowly. “Where do you want to go? I could take you to your parents’ house.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I don’t want them to know what happened. They’re preparing for their vacation, and I don’t want them to worry.”
She made a good point. “Where should I take you?”
“Could I hang out with you?”
I felt a rush of adrenaline in my veins.She is tipsy and Bill’s daughter. It is my duty to keep her safe.Somehow, the justifications in my head sounded sensible, and I nodded at Ben. “My place.”
His expression didn’t change. “Yes, sir.”
During the ten-minute drive back to my home, I contemplated my decision. I glanced over at her. She was slumped in her seat with her eyes closed. She could sleep in the guest room, and Ben could take her home in the morning. I had an early day tomorrow anyway, so I would be long gone before she woke up.
When we were parked in my driveway, I tried to wake her, but she was sleeping soundly and didn’t stir. Fuck my life. I lifted her into my arms again, and she curled into me like a kitten. I didn’t want to think about how she affected me.
Stepping out of the SUV, I called out over my shoulder. “Thank you, Ben.”
“Have a nice evening, sir.” Props to him for keeping a blank expression.
I carried her through the house to the first guest room off the main hallway and then made my way to the queen-size bed. Removing fifty decorative pillows, I pulled down the comforter and sheet. I laid her down on the bed and removed her heels.
Running my eyes over her, I frowned. She needed something to sleep in, but I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t remove her clothes. It was difficult enough to see her lying on a bed in a sexy dress, sleeping innocently. God, I was going to hell with my thoughts.
