Page 18 of His Daring Girl

Me:Because I think you’re beautiful and smart, and I had a really good time with you yesterday. It was fun seeing you with your parents and making you laugh. And I definitely liked our alone time together ;) I want to see where things go between us.

When she doesn’t text back, the nerves kick in again. I glance across the table and see her staring at her phone. She looks like she still doesn’t know whether she can trust me or not. I want to prove that she can.

Me:I take your silence to mean that your answer is yes. But just to put me out of my misery, can you write it in a text, so I have proof? All I need to hear is, “Yes, Chase. I think you’re totally hot, too, and would love to be your girlfriend.”

I watch her as she reads my message and see the blush hit her cheeks. My nerves get a little reprieve as she bites back her smile and begins typing again.

Ruby:Are you going to break up with me in a couple weeks?

It’s obvious she thinks I’m like all the other guys at our school, just looking to have some fun until the boredom sets in. But fucking around has never been my thing. It’s another reason I put up with Cassie for so long. I’m always in it to win it, butwith Cassie, it was always going to be a losing game. With Ruby… I don’t know. It feels different. It feels real.

Me:I’m not in this for a fling, Ruby. I’m thinking long term. Hoping you’ll be my date for prom. I’m already thinking about us going to Costa Rica and laying on the beach together. So what do you say?

She lets out a little gasp and I look over again. Her eyes come up from her screen, meeting mine.

“Yes or no, baby?” I whisper under my breath, needing her answer now. The suspense is killing me.

“Okay,” she whispers, and that one word makes me feel like I won the state championship. I look back down at my phone, wanting the answer to my other question.

Me:So does that mean I can come over again this afternoon?

Ruby:To study?

Oh, I definitely plan on studying. Every inch of her will be thoroughly memorized. But I also just want to spend time with her. Get to know her better. I feel good being around her. She’s fun to be with.

Me:To hang out with my girlfriend.

Another long pause with no response, and I’m looking back over at her. Noticing Presley watching us again.

Ruby:Okay. But my parents won’t be home today, so we won’t get to play charades.

Fuck me. Now, I’m itching to get out of school. And we’ll definitely be playing the game. Our own private version of it.

She closesher car door and turns, practically huffing at me.

“I thought you were going to hang out with your friends for a bit.”

And here I thought she’d be excited to see me. Cassie used to get pissed when I’d spend time with my buddies after school. Usually, I’d want to hang with them and shoot the shit to unwind from the day, but with Ruby, I couldn’t wait any longer to spend time with her.

I ignore her question, stalking right to her and pulling her against me. I’d kept my hands off her all day, trying not to come on too strong, not wanting to make her any more nervous than she already was, but my restraint has all run dry.

“I don’t want to spend time with them. I want to spend time with you.”

I move in for a kiss, and her body freezes in place. Her eyes looking nervous. But as soon as our lips connect, she melts. And just like all the times before, she ignites right under my touch. Slipping her tongue inside my mouth, letting me take what I want. Licking me just as eagerly as I take things deeper. Tangling around until she’s breathless, then I let her have a reprieve.

“It’s time for our next tutoring session, baby.”

“Oh, okay. Let me get my bag.”

I lean down, tossing her over my shoulder. She won’t need her books for the kind of studying we’ll be doing. “How long are your parents going to be out for?”

“Until nine.”

My dick lurches, liking that answer. “Good. Gives us plenty of time.”

“Plenty of time for what?”

I place her down in her living room and watch as the blood rushes down from her head. Her glasses are cockeyed, making her look so fucking cute. I still can’t believe I never noticed her before. Now, I can’t stop noticing her. All the little things. The way she always tucks her head down behind her hair when she’s nervous. The way her brow narrows in concentration when she’s working. Even the way she eats is sexy.

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