Page 62 of Against the Clock

“Yeah,” she lets out one of those small snorts I’m starting to get addicted to and then stops walking, staring up at me with those big brown eyes. “You’re hurt. Oh god, how bad is it?”

“No, Kelsey,” I say, and even though her worry shouldn’t please me, I’m a selfish bastard because I love it. I fucking love that she’s worried about me. “I’m not hurt. I’m fine. The guy who did it, Rhett Edwards? They traded him to our team.”

“Oh no,” she says, shaking her head. “Is he as big of a jerk as he seems?”

We walk down the stairs of her apartment, and I consider the question.

“Probably not,” I say honestly. “I wasn’t happy to see him, and for a second, I thought the Matthews brothers were going to kick his ass. He’s part of the team now, though, and how well he fits in is up to him.”

“That’s mature of you,” she says, elbowing me lightly in the hip.

“That’s what happens when you date an old man.”

Her smile turns into a scowl and I open the door to my truck, ushering her inside.

“You’re not an old man.”

“I’m fifteen years older than you, Kelsey,” I say gently. “I am an old man compared to you. Too old for you.”

As soon as I say it, I want to take it back. It might be true, but I don’t want to fucking risk her thinking it.

“I’m pretty sure I get to decide if you’re too old for me.”

I pause, holding the door open as she buckles in, hanging on her every word, her every breath.

“I think you could be perfect for me,” she says quietly.

My heart skips a beat at the words and I grin at her like a fool for a second.

She doesn’t smile back, but watches me thoughtfully, her lips pursed. I’m okay with that. I’m okay with her hesitation.

Because I’m damn sure I can convince her I am perfect for her.

“You’re going to give me an even bigger head if you keep up all this praise,” I drawl, leaning against the truck, one arm overhead. “Won’t be able to fit in the truck.”

“Please.” A smile turns the corners of her lips up, like the sun coming out from behind the clouds. “You already barely fit in my apartment.”

I hold up an arm and kiss my bicep, flexing, and earn another snort from her.

“There’s only one place I care about fitting,” I say with a wicked grin, then do my best over-the-top wink.

Her laugh’s the last thing I hear as I close her door and walk around to my side. When I open up my door, she’s still laughing.

“You know, you are totally ridiculous.”

“I think the word you wanted was charming,” I tell her, unable to stop smiling. When I’m with Kelsey, smiling is about all I can do. Being with her is easy, and fun, and I haven’t been this excited about the future in a long time.

“So charming,” she says, stretching out the word. “Talking about fitting inside me.”

The truck roars to life as I turn the engine over and I brace my hand on her seat as I check my blind spots and pull out of the lot.

“For someone who wants to take a step back from sex, you sure have a one-track mind,” I say. “For the record, I was talking about the valet fitting my truck into the parking garages downtown.”

“Oh, uh-huh, is that right?”

“Absolutely.”

“Mmhmm.”

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