Page 52 of I've Got You

I smiled over at her, kind of relieved she noticed the extra effort I’d put in. I’d been on dates over the years of course, all admittedly with women, and none had I made an effort for. I’d seen no point. While I’d made sure the woman on my arm had a good time, usually with a nice meal and an expensive bottle of wine, that had been as far as I’d gone to impress. It had also been enough to placate my father and to stop any possible gossip about me from forming.

“Thank you.” I brushed down my crisp light blue shirt, pleased I’d selected it. When Davis had said smart-casual, I hadn’t realized how hard that was. I’d decided on a good quality shirt and a pair of dark jeans. Clean shaven, I’d also put on one of my favorite colognes. It was one Davis had previously mentioned liking.

I glanced at the time. It was almost six. “Need a hand with anything before I head out?”

She was already shaking her head by the time I’d finished speaking. “Nope.” She walked over to me and pressed a kiss on my cheek and squeezed my forearm. “Just concentrate on having an amazing time.” When she pulled back fully, she quirked a brow at me. “And stay safe!”

I rolled my eyes at her, hoping it would keep away the heat threatening to hit my cheeks. It didn’t work. She walked away giggling, and called over her shoulder, “Do you have everything you need?” She eyed the bag I’d already left near the door over an hour ago, amusement crossing her features.

Admittedly, I’d been eager packing my overnight bag, and in the past hour there’d been a buzz of energy sweeping through me and following me around. “Yes, thanks.”

Just then there was a knock on the front door, and I jumped. Jenna snorted. I stuck up my middle finger at her and then darted my eyes to my nephews. They were too focused on the blocks to see me flipping their mom off.

Taking a calming breath in an attempt to quiet my pounding heart, I reached out and opened the door. Davis’s bright eyes were the first thing I connected with, and I immediately saw him smile. I followed suit and waved him in. “Hey.” I was impressed my voice appeared clear and normal.

“Hey, back.” He stepped through the open doorway and his lips grazed mine.

While the thumping of my heart eased off at the now familiar contact, a rush of blood traveled quickly south. Only a little of my reaction to this evening was about nerves. Mainly, anticipation swept through me with the force of a tidal wave. I considered prompting him to skip whatever dinner plans he’d arranged and instead for us to make our way straight to his bedroom. I then considered how rare a night sans child was for him, so figured he was looking forward to an adult night away from home.

When he leaned back, his eyes roamed my face, a similar anticipation swirling in his eyes. “That your bag?” He tilted his head to the right but didn’t break eye contact.

Silently, I nodded. Only then did he look away to call out to my sister and my nephews, and a moment later, after kissing Hunter and Toby goodbye, I was swept up in the whirlwind that was Davis. I’d never seen him like this before. A man on a mission, he’d gone through the most basic of pleasantries with impressive speed while remaining polite. Then with his searing hand on my back, he shepherded me out to his car, opened the door for me, planted a firm kiss on my mouth, and then all but raced around to the driver side.

When he finally yanked the door open and jumped into the seat, pulling the door firmly shut, I was angled toward him, wide-eyed and amused as hell. Laughter bubbled in my chest, along with concern that he was acting kind of crazy. “You want to take a breath?”

His eyes flared before he opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. With both hands on the steering wheel, he exhaled loudly.

What the hell was going on? I’d never seen Davis so out of it before.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth when he rushed out those words, and I struggled to breathe for a moment before I remembered what to do. I froze, an amazing feat considering my heart galloped in my chest at such a pace I figured it vibrated my whole body.

“I had this whole corny meal planned at a cool restaurant in the city and had a hotel room booked.” He finally looked at me and concern lit his eyes. I was sure I looked a hell of a sight, sitting, struggling for proper breath, but I wasn’t quite sure if I was beet red or as pale as a ghost. I was too numb to tell as fear vibrated through me. “Hey.” Davis reached out and took my hand in his. He leaned forward and kissed my mouth, a few short pecks, and whispered, “Not about you or us. Never about that.”

Far too wound up to speak and too afraid the vomit that had attempted to crawl up my esophagus would make an appearance, my silence continued, but feeling slowly returned, first in my fingers and then in my tingling lips.

Despite edging back into his seat, his hand gripped mine. I needed the tether while I listened to him and hopefully quickly understood what he was talking about.

“I’m sorry if I made you think I was canceling tonight. That’s the furthest thing from the truth. I just have a shit way of explaining myself; I’m too worked up.” Davis swept his thumb against the skin on my hand. “Let’s go and grab a drink, and we’ll start the night again without me screwing shit up. Okay?”

“Okay.” I managed a nod and a relieved smile, though I was still clueless about what he’d been talking about.

With drinks in front of us a short time later, I debated whether or not to let him clarify himself, ignore his words in the car altogether and do as he said and start again, or simply go ahead and clear this mess up myself. I stared at my untouched drink, needing a clear head and not liquid courage, and made my decision.

“You didn’t want to take me out to dinner or stay in a hotel overnight with me?” I controlled my face as best as I could. He’d already told me he wanted the two of us to work out, but that didn’t explain why he’d changed our plans. The thought of a good meal and night in a hotel room sounded amazing, so I remained clueless.

A chagrined expression took over his handsome features. His usually bright, wide eyes dipped a little, but a small smile played on his lips, though it wasn’t as full or as natural as usual. “I’m sorry.” He brushed a hand through his hair and his shoulders dropped. “Perhaps we should head there now. We’d only be a little late—”

I shook my head. “No, honestly it’s fine. I suppose I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on.”

With his eyes fixed to mine, he said, “You never have to figure things out with me. It’s just my shitshow of explaining was pretty impressive.” Davis reached out and took my hand, and while there was the smallest of urges to glance around to see if anyone was looking, I stood my ground and focused on the man I was happy to give my whole attention to. “Would you forgive me if I said I was thinking with my cock?”

A loud snort rushed out of me, scratching my throat and all but echoing around the bar. I laughed loud and long, managing to say, “Okay, so not what I was expecting you to say.” I shook my head. “Care to elaborate?”

His shit-eating grin was back, stirring a thrill of happiness in me. Tension fled from my shoulders at that one natural gesture. “The plan was all set, to wine and dine before the night in the hotel, which was five stars by the way.” He raised his brows, and I pressed my lips together, controlling my laughter. “But then you opened the door.” He shrugged and trailed off as though that was answer enough.

“Huh?”

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