Page 51 of Surprisingly Us

“Yeah.” She nods, tucking her phone back into her purse. “I guess it’s getting late.”

I pay the bill, then we walk back out to my bike, cameras flashing as we climb on. It’s a quiet ride to Lettie’s apartment. I’m almost concerned she’s falling asleep and will forget to hold on when I feel her arms tighten around my waist.

At her apartment, I help her off the bike and put the extra helmet in the storage compartment.

She hands me the gym shorts and I throw those in with the helmet.

“What do you do at the end of a date?” She looks up at me, blue eyes wide with uncertainty.

Anything I would normally do after taking a woman out is off limits with Lettie. I’ve already gone too far with her in my head. Planted thoughts that will make it a challenge to not think about her later.

She wants to practice dating, but this is going to be the textbook version, not hands on.

“Walk you to your door,” I say, leading her up the stairs to her apartment before turning to face her. “And a kiss on the cheek.”

I lean down to press my lips against her soft skin and her scent, floral and sweet, yet sensual, has me lingering there.Fuck. She smells amazing.

When I pull away, I notice her lips twitch before they split into a grin.

“Liar.”

“Fine. But this isn’t what would Rhys do, it’s what would Lettie’s gentlemanly date do. There’s a difference.”

“You’re saying the guys I would be going out with are gentlemen and would kiss on the cheek?”

“Most likely.”

She considers this a moment before asking, “Is that because of who I am or because of who they are?”

“Both.”

“Okay, so a kiss on the cheek and a promise to call me tomorrow?”

“If the date went well.”

“Did the date go well? How would I know?” she asks.

Because I don’t want it to end.

“It’s a feeling you get. It takes practice to read another person’s body language.”

She holds a hand up to her mouth to cover a yawn.

“And yours is telling me you need to get some rest.”

She nods. “You’re right.”

I watch as she opens the front door and slips inside, turning to give me a small wave.

“Goodnight, Rhys.”

“Goodnight, Princess.”

CHAPTER 13

Colette

My watch buzzes, alerting me to the distance I’ve gone. Three miles.