Page 15 of Twisted Devil

“I’m sure,” he murmured. “I'm glad you decided to eat with me.”

Heat flared over my cheeks and I dropped my gaze to the floor.

“Would you be interested in having dinner with me again, for real this time?”

I snapped my eyes up to meet Jason’s. “Like… Go out?”

“Or stay in.” He shrugged. “Whatever you want is fine with me.”

“Why?”

“Because I like you, and I want to get to know you better.”

I was momentarily floored. He knew everything that had happened to me, yet he willingly wanted to go out with me? “Are you sure?”

Jason smiled. “I know I'm a year late, but I was hoping I hadn't missed my chance with you.”

“No.” I shook my head. “I just…” I trailed off, and Jason sobered.

“If you don't want to go on a date with me—”

“No, I do,” I stated firmly. “I’m just surprised is all.”

Jason's dark eyes stared into mine. “I wanted you a year ago, and I want you now. Nothing will change that.”

Heat flared around my heart, but I couldn’t shake the nagging sense of unease. It all seemed too good to be true. There were a dozen emotions roiling in my stomach, and I couldn’t begin to decipher all of them at the moment. I needed some time to think. I awkwardly pushed up from the couch. “I’m sure I’ve taken up enough of your time. I should probably get home.”

“I’ll walk you out.” Jason stood, then headed toward the door. “I’ve got a break between cases right now. How about I pick you up tomorrow around seven?”

I smiled. “I'd like that.”

I watched as Jason grabbed his keys, then locked up behind us before leading the way down the stairs. The whole way he stayed half a step ahead, and irritation flared briefly before realization dawned. He wasn’t being rude by walking in front of me—he was protecting me.

The sound of his voice jerked me from my thoughts. “Where did you park?”

“Second row.” I pointed, and Jason headed that way.

“You don't have to walk me to my car,” I said softly. “I'm a big girl.”

“I know.” He smiled at me. “But I want to.”

I used the key fob to unlock the door, then slid into the driver seat. Jason stared down at me, one hand on the door, waiting until I’d started the engine before speaking again. “See you at seven.”

“See you then.”

Jason closed my door with a soft click, then stepped back and shoved his hands into his pockets. I shot a little wave his way, then shifted into gear. I risked a glance in my rearview mirror as I pulled out of the apartment complex, and my heart leapt in my chest. Jason stood in the exact same spot, watching as I drove away.

Back at my apartment complex I parked in my space, then glanced around before climbing out of the car. I continued to scan the lot as I made my way toward the building, and I hung back as a man exited. All the while I watched him from beneath my lashes as he moved down the steps and away from me. Once he was gone I let out a little breath and headed inside.

Inside my apartment, I locked the door and slid the three deadbolts into place. I checked all the windows, then hopped into the shower. I soaped up and rinsed off, thinking about tonight and what tomorrow would bring. He'd asked me out when he didn't have to. That meant something, didn’t it? I wasn't sure I could give him all of me yet... but I knew he would wait for me, just as he'd promised.

I left the bedroom door open, then climbed into bed. I couldn't stand the thought of being confined, and I felt immeasurably better knowing I had an avenue of escape, as irrational as it seemed. This was my apartment, but Jeffrey Wainwright had stolen my sense of security. As I lay there in the darkness, though, I realized something. It was slowly coming back. Thoughts of Jason filled my mind as I fell into the first good night of sleep I'd had in more than a year.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

JASON

I pulled up to Chloe’s apartment complex, my pulse thundering in my veins. What if she'd changed her mind? I killed the engine and palmed my keys, jingling them nervously as I made my way toward the door. I lifted a hand to open it when she stepped out, stealing my breath.

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