Page 574 of Rock Me All Night
15
Dinner isa blur of good food and better conversation. We share two obscenely fancy seafood dishes—red snapper and scallops—and an array of amazing vegetable side dishes.
I don't snap out of the cloud until we're on our way back to my place. The drive takes too long. He has one hand planted on my thigh. My whole body sizzles from the touch.
This can't happen soon enough.
Pete parks on the street. I'm about to jump out of the car when he pulls me back.
"Hold on." His voice is rough. He's upset.
Oh. There's a stocky man standing outside my apartment, talking to one of my neighbors. There's a camera around his neck. He's a photographer.
"Let me handle this." Pete gets out of the car without waiting for my response.
His posture stiffens as he approaches the photographer. I can't hear anything from the car, but I can feel the anger all the way over here.
This is bad.
I'm not gonna sit and watch him get hurt. I open the car door and step onto the sidewalk.
"Let's go inside," I say.
"Be there in a minute." Pete glares at the photographer.
Okay. That's a threat. No way he's getting into trouble on account of me.
"No, come in with me." I try to keep my voice light. I point to the writing on my chest. "You did make me a promise."
That breaks up some of the frustration in his expression. He shoots the photographer one more glare then follows me into my apartment.
I lock the doorknob and the deadbolt. It's not enough security. My blinds don't work—they're stuck half open. Anyone across the street can see in here. Anyone can find me.
Is it really that interesting, Pete dating a random law student?
The air is stiff and tense. Something tells me this conversation isn't ending with him planted between my legs.
He presses his back against the wall. His eyes stay glued to me. "This should blow over in a few weeks."
I nod.
"Until then, you need to stay with me." His stare is demanding, intense. "I know you want your space. I respect that. You can take Tom's room and one of the empty rooms as an office."
I swallow hard. "This is my apartment."
"You can't stay here. It's not safe." He runs his hand through his hair. "I won't forgive myself if something happens to you." He moves closer, until he's only a foot away, then he pulls me into a hug. "Give it a few days. If you don't like it, we'll figure out something else."
"Okay."
I soak in the comfort of his arms for as long as I can.
Then I pack up everything I need for the next few weeks, get in his car, and say goodbye to everything I love about my apartment.
* * *
He goesstraight to his room. No discussion, no concern, nothing but him locking me out again.
I try to soak in the atmosphere of the house—itisa beautiful place—but all I feel is the lack of his presence.
Did it mean that little to him, sharing how his father hurt him?
I try not to let it hurt. He isn't going to fall in love with me. He doesn't want a girlfriend. He doesn't even want to talk to me when it's not convenient for him.
I'll stay here for a while, but I'm not going to let him become a part of my life. Not if he's going to pull away like this.
