Page 19 of Enamored
She smirks and teasingly says, “You really stalked me while I was on your ranch, didn’t you?”
“I was coming with dinner, and I could hear you through the door. You were loud. I thought it was a boyfriend you were breaking up with or something.”
She shakes her head, her smile replaced by a somber look. “I haven’t had a boyfriend in a few years. I haven’t had time.”
“I’m sorry,” I mumble.
The conversation lulls, and the two of us enjoy our food in silence. She keeps scrunching her eyebrows and relaxing them. I have a feeling she wants to ask me more questions but is unsure how. In all honesty, I’m not sure I’d be ready to answer her questions, so I let the silence stretch between us.
She yawns, and I look at my watch. It’s getting late. I pay the bill, after refusing to let her help, and we get up to leave. The restaurant is close to her apartment, so we walk back. We still haven’t breached the topic of where exactly I’m sleeping.
She unlocks the door to the building and holds it open for me. She stops and turns to me as she enters the hallway. “How did you get in the building, anyway?”
I smirk a cocky grin at her. “Hit every button outside until someone let me in.”
“Great. Good to know my neighbors will let just anyone into the building because they are annoyed with a buzzer.” She rolls her eyes but smiles.God, her smile is something else.Her whole face lights up. I’ve missed it so damn much. “Do you have any luggage with you?”
I was in such a rush to get a flight; I didn’t even think of packing anything. I threw clothes on and pushed Holden out of my place to drive to the airport. Then, I spent way too much money on a last-minute flight so I could get here. Clothes were the last thing on my mind.
I rub the back of my neck and offer her a shy smile. “I was more concerned with getting here today than with packing clothes. I can sleep in this and pick a few things up tomorrow.”
We reach her floor, and she pushes the front door open. I walk in behind her, locking the door. The air around us shifts. It’s charged, heated. She must feel it, too, because she shifts her weight and looks around the room. I take a step closer, and her scent surrounds me. God, to have this girl in my arms would feel like heaven. “Where would you like me to sleep for the night?” My voice is low and a little raspy with need.
She licks her lips and swallows hard, popping her mouth open in surprise. She takes a small step back. The urge to stalk her, invade her space is strong, and I have to force myself to keep my feet planted. “How about you sleep on the couch?”
I didn’t expect her to let me sleep in bed with her. I know I haven’t earned that yet, but I was hopeful. Whatever she wants, though, I’m willing to give her. She hurries to her room, taking the heat and desire with her. She comes back with an extra blanket, pillow, and a sheet to cover the couch, and I help her set up my make-shift bed.
She tells me how she needs to go into the office early, but she will give me a key so I can get in and out without a problem. I have no idea what I’m going to do for the day, but I don’t want to overstay my welcome.
“How long are you planning on staying?” she asks as she spreads out the blanket.
“I’m not sure. I haven’t really planned things out yet. I guess that all depends on how long you want me to stay.”
I feel like I’m in high school all over again, a bundle of nerves as I wait on bated breath for her reply.
“Oh. I-I don’t know,” she stumbles. “I didn’t expect you to come here.” She looks down and twists her fingers together. “Honestly, I figured I really would never see you again, so this is completely unexpected. What about the ranch?”
I think about it for a minute before I answer. Mom, Dad, and Holden can hold the fort down for a few days. “They’ll be fine for a few days. I’d love to see Boston. I’ve never been here. Maybe you can show me some of the sights?”
She smiles wide and nods. “Sure. I can ask my boss about taking a few days off. Let her know something unexpected has come up and that I need time.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want to put you out like that. You have work. Go in, and if she says to take the time off, then fine. Otherwise, I can see some of the city myself, or I can wait for you to come home. Maybe I can pop into the office and see you. Pick you up for lunch or something?”
Her eyes light up as I finish. “Yeah. I’d like that a lot. Maybe we can show you the blueprints for the cabins along with the mock-up. It will be ready in a day or so.”
“Sounds like a date.”
She yawns and covers her mouth with the back of her hand. “Sorry, I was up early this morning for my flight. I’m beat.”
I place my hands on her upper arms, and the heat of her body works its way down through my own, settling deep in my gut. I place a chaste kiss to her warm cheek. “Have a good night, Lana. We’ll talk in the morning.”
She shows me how to use the television before she walks down the hallway to her room and closes the door behind her. I should be tired, but I’m not. Not when I know she’s so close to me. Not when everything in her apartment smells like her, and I have been semi-hard since she let me in here earlier today.
I kick my boots off and push my pants down, pulling them off one leg at a time. I then pull my shirt over my head and sit on the couch. I take my phone out, calling Holden, and he answers right before it goes to voicemail.
“Hey, man, did she forgive you? You getting laid yet?” he jokes. It’s good to hear him happy, unlike this morning.
“Yeah, things seem pretty good between us. She’s letting me crash on her couch tonight. I’m going to have to get some clothes tomorrow, though. I really didn’t think this through, huh?” I keep my voice down; I don’t want Lana to know I’m talking about her. “She told Russ to basically fuck off.”
