Page 35 of XOXO

I clenched my thighs then grinned over at Rickie before I started walking, hand in hand with Stone, out to the car.

With my keys out, I unlocked it, and it opened my door. “Why don’t you warm it up. Be right back.”

With a nod, I cranked the car and nervously wrung my hands together. I played with the radio, trying to find something he may like and landed on classic rock. I listened to a lot of different things, but ever since working at the bar, I came to really love the music they played most often.

After just a couple minutes, Stone opened the back door and threw a few things inside before he climbed into the driver’s seat.

“Where to?”

My apartment was small and not very cozy. Plus, I had nothing besides water from the door of the fridge to drink. I had spent so little time there since I started the extra job. I ate a lot of fast food or boxed meals lately and didn’t bother to keep anything good stocked to drink.

But wait. Was I just assuming he was planning to hang out with me? Was he just being a nice guy and dropping me off? Pipes did ask him to get me home safely. And even though he looked all tough and gruff, he only exhibited kind and gentle behavior to me.

“I’m such an idiot.”

“Did you forget something inside?” he asked, pressing the brakes.

I waved my hand. “No. Never mind. It’s not far.” I rattled off the address and he pulled out of the parking lot.

We drove a few miles. There was already slush gathering on the streets. The thing about Georgia is there wasn’t really snow, but we got ice. And only the major highways and roads got salt. Neither of which were anywhere near home.

I tried to keep my lady bits in check since he was just being a nice guy and getting me home, but the close quarters were holding in his scent. I couldn’t help but glance over at his beard. At least I could have a great mental picture for myself later.

As we rounded a hard turn about a mile from my place, flashing lights appeared and Stone gently slowed the car.

A fireman walked over to his window, and he rolled it down. “Evening folks, we have a tree down and a transformer out. The road is blocked.”

I leaned up. “For how long?”

The fireman raised a brow. “Until it’s cleared and safe, ma’am. You can try turning around and getting back onto Mulberry to take you back around, but not sure how long the power will be out.”

Stone tipped his head. “No worries, man. Thanks for working out in this weather. I’ll turn around.”

The fireman nodded then walked away and Stone turned the car around.

“We can go hang at my place if you want. It’s just a couple minutes. Or I can drive you back to the Spoke.”

I’d much rather get trapped at his house than the bar. “Your place is probably a better idea if it’s not far. If the power goes out at the Spoke it’ll be hard to stay warm.”

He didn’t look over, but I swore I detected a smirk. Maybe I was meaning more than a possible fireplace to heat things up but did he?

Once we got to his place, I could find out.

Chapter 11

Stone

Was it possible that the universe was really helping me? I was bummed that she said to drive to her place and wished for a reason to take her home.

I just hoped nobody was hurt by the fallen tree. And I felt bad for the workers out in the cold. But I’d donate extra to the breast cancer ride or something to make up for whatever gift I’d been given.

I did offer to take her back to the Spoke, but she opted for my place, where we could stay warm.

I drove the mile and a half over to my house, which was on the same street as Tango. It wasn’t quite as big as his, but not tiny by any means.

It looked like an old farmhouse but was two stories and had a detached garage for my bike and truck.

Adi leaned toward the dashboard and looked it over as we pulled up.

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