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His voice sounds raspier than normal, sending warm waves through my veins.
“Whispering Willows apartments. It’s a few blocks–”
“I know where that is,” he interjects. “How can youafford to live in Whispering Willows and not have reliable transportation? Do you even have a vehicle? This is Dallas, not New York City.”
“Yes, I have a car,” I clarify sharply. “I just enjoy walking sometimes to get some fresh air and sunlight. I was in a hurry this morning and didn’t think to check the weather before I headed out. And since you’re so curious about my financial situation, I have a studio apartment. I pay a pretty penny for it, which is why I have to put up with you every day.”
He chuckles and tosses me a glance out of the corner of his eye.
“You have to put up withme?” he mocks. “No, I think it’s the other way around. Some days, I feel like I’myourassistant.”
I gawk at him at the same time he flashes me a cocky smirk.
That smile.Why does he have to be so pretty?
“Oh, I wouldjust loveto have one day with you as my assistant,” I croon. “I would make your day a living hell, and I guarantee you that it would be thebestday of my life.”
“Is that right?” he snickers, cocking a brow. “And what would you make me do, Ms. Taylor?”
Fuck. Why did that question sound so hot leaving his lips? It sounded so…sexual.
“You don’t want to know,” I reply lamely. I don’t know what else to say because I can’t find the words.
My cheeks are flushed, my throat is dry, and I just want out of this ridiculously expensive car that smells like whiskey, leather, and sex.
“You’re something else, you know that?” he chuckles, shaking his head.
“So I’ve been told.”
Traffic slows to a stop as the street light turns red, and I’ve never hated safety lights more in my entire life.
A hushed silence fills the cab before Elliot finally breaks the ice.
“So, how long have you been in Dallas?” he asks, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel as if he’s nervous.
It’s odd to hear him ask me a personal question. If I really think about it, this is the first time he’s attempted to learn anything about me outside of work.
“I moved here a month before I started at Ace Financial,” I stop to think. “So I guess around two months total.”
“Interesting,” he nods. “What brought you to the city?”
“I uh…” I stammer, trying to decide how to answer his question without sounding daunting. “The past couple of years have been kind of difficult for me. I needed something new. A fresh start.”
He furrows his brows.
“But why Dallas?”
I smile as I recall one of my favorite childhood memories.
“When I was kid, me and my dad took a trip to Dallas to watch the Cowboys play. He played football in college, and he had dreamed about watching them play his entire life. I’d never seen my dad so happy before. After the game, we spent a few days exploring the city. It was a special trip for both of us, so much so that we even discussed moving here one day. So yeah, to make a long story short, that’s pretty much it.”
He turns to look at me, confusion etched across his face.
“Wait…Let me get this straight,” he says slowly. “Out of all the big cities in the world, you chose to move to Dallas, Texas?” he arches a brow in shock.
“I didn’t say that I’m going to retire here,” I retort. “I don’t know how long I’ll stay, but I’m glad I took a leap of faith and made the move. It’s kind of a bucket list item.”
He scoffs like he’s in shock.
