Page 23 of Never Always
“You can think on it tonight, but I wanted to put my hat in the ring.”
“Hat in the ring? You really say all of the right things. You want to be the only hat in the ring.” I roll my eyes. “I’m confused. I mean, last night confused me so now I’m beyond perplexed. Why me?”
“Why not you?” he slings back, raising one brow.
I motion between our bodies. “We aren’t the same, you and I. We’re not leveled.”
He smirks. “Ever think there might be something to that saying opposites attract?”
“Theoretically, yes, but I saw what your ex looked like, Corrick. I’m not that kind of beautiful. Tens fall in love with tens. It’s science. Statistically speaking if by chance a ten does end up with a… four, well it’s less likely to work out.”
“You’re right. You’re a million times more beautiful than Sierra. Noting the fact that your intelligence adds to your beauty and you’re somewhere in an elite, untouchable stratosphere that my ex couldn’t dream of. Maybe it’s science, Fire, or maybe you’re the ten and I’m the felon four trying to do anything to get a shot.”
My stomach feels queasy. Unexpected social situations twist me into knots. When I was a teenager, I’d do anything in my power to avoid feeling this way. He has sly hands. Taking my fingers in his, he squeezes them a couple times.
“I could list every mean thing you’ve ever said to me and all the reasons why this is a bad idea. Starting with you were supposed to help me get a date with Grey, but I’ve lost my mind, so I’ll say yes instead and wait for the back blow.”
“What’s the back blow?”
My skin tingles where it touches his and despite the confusion, I feel elated that he wants me. “I already told him I’d go out with him.”
“That quick? You didn’t waste any time. Why don’t you let me deal with him then? I’ll have some words with ole’ blasé Grey.”
I shake my head. “He’s a co-worker—a friend. I have to see him every single day. Your heavy hand and uncultured words are the last thing that will help that situation. I’ll tell him myself.”
“Well, that’s offensive. True, but offensive, nonetheless.”
Running my fingers through my hair, I notice he’s watching me. “Truth. That’s what this whole exclusive dating thing needs to begin on. Right?”
He shifts, his hand sliding off my lap. “Yes. Probably the standard. I’m sort of a private guy. I’ll give you truth as long as I can hold some things close.” When he notices me staring blankly, he adds, “Until I’m ready, I mean.”
A known cheater who is asking permission to keep secrets. This is a red flag in any universe. I draw out the word, “Okay.”
Grange thinks I’m more beautiful than Sierra. Her face, in all its symmetrical perfection, keeps flashing in my mind. He exits the truck and opens my door and I see him a bit differently now. The whole felon thing always hung out in the back of my mind, because what well-bred woman would entertain the idea of being with a man who has an actual rap sheet? He has the quality, that nagging, beating, tingling, unputdownable characteristic that inexplicably draws me in. Since Grange touched me, Grey has been an afterthought. A bad idea I couldn’t recognize for what it was until I put hands on what I really wanted.
He walks me to the elevator in the parking garage and I hit the button. Corrick spins me by my waist to face him. “That took less convincing than I thought it would. I’d prepared a dissertation.”
“You did not.” My pulse races as the skin warms under his hands.
He nods. “I did.”
This is it. “Do you want to come upstairs and say it out loud. Do more convincing?”
“Yes. But I won’t.” He must see my face fall. “Not until I’m sure you’re ready… and we have more time. Rexy is expecting me tonight.”
“You scheduled a friend date after a romantic date? Sounds like you didn’t think tonight was going to work out in your favor.”
“It was a precautionary date I made with Rexy in case things went my way, as they did.”
“You don’t make any sense, Grange, and I’m not even going to try to make sense of what you just said.” The elevator dings open and I get in, pressing my back against the wall. He stands in the way, holding each side of the gate so it can’t close. “Thank you for dinner. And I guess the next date is mine to plan?” I say, hoping he doesn’t take me up on the offer.
He licks his lips. “Can you plan it by tomorrow?”
I’ll call Sue-Ellen or Clover and panic when I get in the house. Plan a date? Martha Stewart, I am not. “Of course. I’ll text you later with details.” There is a half second when I think he might kiss me, but then remember that Grange doesn’t kiss and I can’t help but stare at his lips with longing.
“Thanks, Tennyson.” My name. I swallow hard. “It means a lot that someone so nerdy would consider me a viable option.” He leans down, his scent enveloping me with a wild punch to my gut, and his mouth brushes against my jaw, by my ear, a whisper of a kiss. I narrow my eyes as he backs out, releasing the elevator shaft. Right before the shiny silver doors cut off my view, he bites his lip.
“What just happened,” I speak to the air as I ride up to my floor catching my breath. When inside my condo, I stand in the living room trying to pull apart his every word and action. He wanted to kiss me, the desperation lit the air. There’s no doubt about it. Shivering, I rub my arms and then text my sister and tell her about Grange, the date, the exclusivity. She calls me when I don’t text back quickly enough.
