Page 76 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

“I suppose you’ll want to go to the movies next.” Our second date.

“Maybe.” I snuggled in closer.

“Then to Mulligan’s for mini-golf.”

“Only if you don’t mind losing.” Our third date had consisted of us trailing after Lexi and her friends. We’d made plans, but then he remembered he was the ‘parent’ doing pick up and drop off for everyone that night.

The only reason Lexi allowed it was because he’d been on a date with me. Even then I knew she idolized me and had started following me on social media. She’d been at the garden the day Alden and I had met too.

That summer I’d finally felt like I belonged. Like I was part of their family. I’d had such high hopes for my future. For the first time outside of Jaxon and my grandparents, I had people who loved me for me. Not what I could do for them or what I could give them.

He groaned. “All right. Get dressed.”

I let out a satisfied squeal and sprung up from his arms to kneel next to him. “You mean it?”

“Yes, get one of the outfits Greta brought over. You need to wear the hat and glasses.”

I nodded. “Of course.”

He held out his hand. “You need to stay in the car while I order, and we’ll eat in there.”

I frowned, my hand going to rest on my hip.

His gaze dipped, tracing my curves. When he licked his lips I almost forgot what we were talking about and threw him down on the bed.

“No, no.” I blinked. I was not eating in the fucking car.

“No?” At least I was able to distract him too.

“I’mnotstaying in the car.” I crossed my arms under my boobs, making sure to shove them together and pop them up.

Now it was his turn to give me the slow blink. He tried and failed to look me in the eyes.

“We can eat on the beach.”

“Right.”

I turned away to slide off the bed and get dressed. “I knew you’d see it my way.” Alden was definitely still a boob guy.

“Wait, a minute. No. Damn it, Jess.”

Shit, I’d totally pushed my luck with that last comment. I turned around with wide innocent eyes. “What?”

He ran a hand through his hair.

“Alden, come on. You can’t keep me locked up forever. That will kill me just as quick.” Okay I was being slightly dramatic, but I was an extrovert. I may only have a few close friends, but I had a hell of a social circle.

He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t ever joke about that again.”

The fierce protectiveness in his eyes held me and soothed some part of me I didn’t understand. I hadn’t just gone too far, in his eyes I’d crossed the line. “I won’t. I’m sorry.” I climbed back onto the bed and twined my arms around his neck. “There has to be a compromise,” I pleaded.

His big hands rested on my hips as he searched my eyes. “I know it’s hard for you to stay in here. Maybe we can get you out more to see Ruby.”

This was a start, but not exactly what I asked for. Impatience was trying to force the frustrated words from my throat, but I stopped and stayed silent, waiting to see what he came up with.

“What if you stay in the car while I order and then we find a quiet spot on the beach and eat there. Away from most of the crowd if there even is one.” The small local restaurant was right on Oakland Beach, and while they had tables inside, there was a greater chance of someone seeing us in there than out on the beach that hopefully wouldn’t be packed today.

I smiled. “I accept.” I pressed my lips to his. “Thank you.”

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