Page 49 of The Double Play

“I’m not trying to rush you,” he says as we start walking to the lobby door. “I might start looking for better places for you to live later, but I’m not rushing you while I’m here.”

“You mean while you’re here to protect me?” I ask with a smile as I press my back against the entrance door to push it in.

His mouth quirks up. “Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.”

“I’ve lived here for three years now, you know. Nothing bad has happened to me.”

Except that one time a drunk bachelorette puked on my shoes and yelled at me like it was my fault. But she wasn’tdangerous, just rude.

“Why do I feel like you’re lying?” he asks as we walk to the elevator. I wave at Mabel, the sweet older lady who mans the front desk and also makes a mean pecan pie. She smiles and waves back.

“Is she supposed to be the security guard?” Emmett hasn’t asked me this many back-to-back questions since my interview.

I press theupbutton on the elevator. “We don’t have security guards, but don’t underestimate Mabel. I’ve heard her scolding the door-to-door salesmen that try to sneak in sometimes. She’s not to be trifled with.”

“You live in the middle of downtown Nashville with no security?” Incredulity is thick in his tone.

“We have a securitysystem, just not a security guard. It’s no big deal, Emmett.”

The elevator opens with the chime of a bell. We step on and I press the twelfth floor. While the apartment complex has its shortcomings, which Emmett is so kindly pointing out, I do have a great view of the city. I’m more fond of pastures than city lights, but I still appreciate it.

“I’m even more glad you’re coming home with me then. I don’t like the idea of you being here at night.”

My smile grows. “I never said I was staying the night. You sure are bossy when you’re worried.”

He gives me an exasperated look. “Hazel.”

“Emmett,” I tease.

My mood rises with the elevator. I’m bubbling over with happiness.

“I’m being serious.”

“When are you not?”

He turns his head, wiping a hand over his mouth to hide the smile I catch. It makes me grin all the more. “I’m trying to ensure you’re safe.”

I feel as light as cotton candy. He probably doesn’t know how much his words mean to me. It’s not like I’m letting him know with how much I’m teasing him. I can’t stop though. This is the most fun I’ve had since New York.

“By telling me what to do?”

“The question part was implied.”

We’re almost to my floor. Maybe it’s the fact that we’re about to exit this private bubble that emboldens me to say the first thing that comes to mind.

I meet his gaze. “Ask me to stay with you tonight.”

“What?” he asks, his eyes flickering to mine in surprise.

“You said the question was implied. Make it explicit.”

Heat rises up my neck as I realize too late the word I used.

“Explicit,” he repeats in a low, gravelly tone that makes my pulse quicken. He crosses the small amount of space between us. One of his hands plants itself above my head. I have to tip my head back to meet his dark gaze.

“Will you stay the night at my house tonight so I know you’re safe?”

Not sleeping must throw my filter out because instead ofyes,I whisper, “Say please.”

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