Page 143 of Sassy Love
Am I in way over my head?
“Tell me,” he prompts.
I rise from my seat, not letting go of his hand. He follows before striding up to the dance floor and pulling me to his chest. I slide my hand behind his neck, one palm over his heart. And that moment when jealousy got the better of me while he was being auctioned earlier resurfaces, just a little, with his proximity.
This right here is the reason I don’t believe in love. Relationships are messy and end badly over half the time. Even so, the thought of some other woman?—
The thought of not having Lawson in my life...
He cups the back of my head. “Breathe, Carlie. You did good, and I’m so fucking proud of you, baby. It will all work out.”
The stone that’s nudging its way up my windpipe explodes.
Fuck.
I grip him tighter.
Well, if the folks at work didn’t know what lies between Lawson and me before, they do now.
Feet burning in my too-high heels, I slide into an Uber after the last guest has gone home and I’ve put Mills and Henry in separate Ubers to get home. Lawson slides in beside me, loosening his bow tie the instant the door closes. We pull away from the curb and drive through the city.
We roll through the holiday-themed 5thAve, the colorful lights reflecting over the windows and rolling over our faces. I turn to find Lawson’s gaze on me.
“Come with me somewhere tomorrow,” he rasps.
“Where?”
“You’ll see.”
I smile at him, and a yawn slips out. “Sure, not too early?”
“Not too early.” His face is soft, eyes full of something I don’t recall ever seeing before, and I can’t place it in this moment.
I frown, and he kisses my hand before hauling me across the seat and into his side. “But, first, we are going to sleep for hours, tucked up together. Tangled in the damn sheets like we’re never going to leave.”
“Hmmm. Sounds perfect.”
He huffs a soft, raw chuckle. His breath tickles my neck, and I roll my head to one side. He plants kisses on my neck, and before we have a chance to remember we’re not alone, the car pulls over to the curb.
“Home sweet home,” the driver says.
I look out at the small three-story building that houses Lawson’s apartment. “Thank you.”
Lawson slips from the back seat, appearing at my door as it opens. I climb out, and he takes my hand. Bed cannot come soon enough. I carry my heels in one hand, my coat wrapped around me as the snow falls steadily, settling on our hair and clothes.
The perfect end to a perfect night.
My feet are burning from the cold sidewalk now, and I tiptoe as quickly as I can toward the front door. A heartbeat later, strong arms sweep me off my feet, and I am wrapped in a warm embrace against Lawson’s chest as he strides for the door.
“A girl could get used to this,” I whisper.
“That’s the plan.”
My amused smile slips a little before I school it back into place.
Surely, I can do this. For Lawson. For what we have... How many chances do you get in one lifetime for this kind oflove?
The word.
