Page 9 of Van Cort
Andre pulls up at that exact same moment as she walks to the road and raises her hand.
“What are you doing?”
She looks back at me. “Hailing a cab to go home.”
My brow arches. She pays for herself and is now leaving me on the sidewalk?
I walk backwards until I’m at the car door and open it for her, waving my hand. “Get in, Andie, I’ll get you home.” There’s little to no hope of fucking if she goes now. I might even have to arrange another date.
“You’re sure?” What the hell does she mean by that?
“I invited you out. I’m damn sure if I can’t pay for the food you ate, then I’ll get you home.” She frowns a little at my tone and looks at the road again. “Andie. Car.” She swings her head back to me.
“Okay. Well, thank you.”
The drive is quiet. Anticipation perhaps. Or, given the constant fidgeting next to me and my earlier tone, apprehension. I chuckle lightly, amusing myself with her nerves. I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. Maybe this one is a little more of a feminist than I’m used to, possibly because she’s come from nothing, but these genes and looks, along with the money I could provide, are too good to turn down. I know it, as does she.
“Everett?” she says, as we pull up at her address.
“Yes.”
“Do you mind staying in the car?”
“What?” She clicks the door handle, half opening it.
“Well, I’ve had a great night, and you are wonderful, but I think we both know what might happen if you get to my door, and I’m not sure I’m ready for that.” My back goes rigid, frown dropping. “Don’t take it as an insult. It isn’t meant as one. Theopposite, actually.” Andre opens his own door and goes around the car, reaching his hand in for her.
“You’re turning me down?”
She takes his hand and gets out, peering back in at me. “Tonight, I am, yes.”
“Fascinating.”
And fucking annoying.
She smirks and fiddles with her bag, and somehow, with those words alone, she’s piqued an interest far past sense in me. “I hope so. Thank you. Again.”
She’s gone before I get a chance to talk her out of her decision, and Andre is back in the car and ready to get me home the moment she’s safely in the apartment. I stare at the large, blue door for a few more minutes, remembering the last time I got turned down.
I was eighteen then, and this is the first time since that point in my life.
CHAPTER FOUR
RIVER
Oh boy!
I shut the door and take a breath.
It took every ounce of courage to walk away from him – to stay strong and not let myself get pulled into what he clearly wanted. I’ve met plenty of men like that before, although perhaps not so confident. And maybe not as handsome.
If there’s anything I’ve learned over the years of fitting in with the wealthy and entitled, it’s that if you give an inch, they’ll take more than the mile they think they deserve. And I’m not ready to give Everett the satisfaction of screwing me.
But, gosh, his eyes.
Such a pale green. But somehow, not washed out. There was depth there, so deep I could feel myself slipping and ready to fallif I watched them too long. And it was only our first date. It was rude to stare. Even if his ego thought I should.
I step out of my heels, walk down the corridor, and head straight for the fridge.
