Page 16 of On The Run

That was easier said than done, but I still nodded. It took a while to get them all off the call, but I finally managed it. I threw on just a little bit of cologne then grabbed my wallet and keys before heading out toward the café.

I climbed into my Ford Explorer and flipped down the visor to check the mirror one last time. I brushed my teeth, but still, it would be embarrassing to have something stuck in them.

The radio was on some Top 40 station, but I tuned it out and was just thinking about Aiden and everything that happened that day. That man had his secrets, and I was surprised how much I wanted to learn them one day.

There could be a multitude of reasons he didn’t want me at his place, and honestly, it wasn’t my business. We barely knew each other, and this was a first date. If we went much further, I hoped he’d trust me enough to allow me at his house, or at least explain why not. Now, though, there wasn’t much I could do but accept his boundaries and see what happened.

The shop was closed already, so when I pulled in, I saw only one car in the lot, parked toward the back. It was an older model silver Toyota but seemed to be in good shape. I parked a few spots away from it and saw Aiden in the front seat, bobbing along to whatever song he was listening to and munching on something in a snack baggie.

I tried to make a lot of noise as I got out of the car and closed my door so I didn’t spook him, but Aiden seemed lost in his own world. I didn’t want to freak him out by banging on the window. Maybe I should call first?

While I was standing in the middle of an empty lot, awkwardly trying to decide my next move, Aiden looked up and saw me standing there.

The grin on his face was huge as he rolled down the window. He’d done something with his hair, and instead of being a wild mix of waves and curls down half of his face, it was smoothed out and slicked back some, making him look older. I swallowed. He looked good, and I could only see his face.

“Hi!” Aiden beamed.

His excitement was contagious, and I felt the last of my nerves dissolve as I walked toward his car. I could hear the music playing as I got closer. “Sex Pistols?” I asked, surprised. He seemed too young to know the Sex Pistols.

Aiden’s dark eyes lit up. “You know the Sex Pistols?” He sounded as shocked as I felt.

I chuckled. “What, do I look like I wouldn’t know punk music?”

Aiden smartly chose not to answer, but his little smirk and the glint in his eyes were telling. “I’ll have you know, I wasn’t always rocking the middle-aged dad look. At one point, I was actually cool.”

“Oh, I believe it. It’s always the buttoned-up ones with a secret freaky side.”

Well, I wouldn’t go that far . . . but it was still good to hear.

“My sister went through a punk and emo phase when we were younger. As the youngest, I always got stuck listening to whatever my older sisters wanted to in the car, but the Sex Pistols was one band I enjoyed.”

Aiden put a finger up, indicating for me to hold on as he rolled up his window and shut off his car. He shoved another handful of the snack in his mouth, that I now realized was trail mix, before exiting. All intelligent thought escaped me when he got out. He was wearing skin-tight black jeans with a few strategically placed holes on his upper thighs. As he turned around and reached into his front seat to grab his cell phone and wallet, I got an excellent view of his ass. And wow . . .

The clothes he had to wear for work weren’t very flattering, and I was too flustered and distracted by my presentation to notice at the college, but Aiden had a fantastic ass. Like the rest of his body, it was tight and compact, but just enough of a bubble butt to make my mouth water. I dragged my eyes away just in time, but by the smirk on his face, Aiden knew I was staring. He wiggled his eyebrows at me, so I didn’t think he minded.

His top looked just as nice as his bottom, and I was glad my family talked me out of one of my work button-ups. The best way I could describe his shirt was a hooded sweater. The material looked soft, though I wasn’t sure what it was. It was form-fitting but not too tight, just perfect. The bottom half was cream colored with a textured pattern. The top was a navy-blue and white swirl that got more solid as it went up and was solid navy by his neck and the hood. He’d changed the ring in his eyebrow to have a small blue gem that matched the shirt. The outfit was completed with black chunky boots with straps and buckles, and I realized it was the first time I’d seen him without Chucks.

“Wow, you look great,” I told him breathlessly, sounding like a horny teenager.

He looked down sheepishly, a small smile on his face, “Thank you. It’s ok, right? For where we’re going? Pops looked the place up and said I’m ok, but I wasn’t sure.”

This kid—no, not kid—man. He was just too fucking adorable. I wanted to kiss him so badly.

“It’s perfect. The place isn’t fancy, but the food is delicious.”

“Great!” His shoulders relaxed and some of the tension in his frame eased. I saw when he really looked at me for the first time. His tongue peeked out between his lips. “You look really amazing, too. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in jeans.”

I laughed. “Probably not. I don’t wear them too often.”

“Well, I like it.” He glanced toward my SUV. “Do you want me to follow you there? Or are we taking one car?”

“It’s up to you. I’d love to drive you there, but only if you’re comfortable.”

He grinned at me. “I’m comfortable. I’d like to ride with you.”

I wasn’t expecting that. With the way he reacted to me meeting him at his home, I thought for sure he’d balk at the idea of getting into my car. But it seemed like it wasn’t a trust thing regarding me, but something to do with his home. I resisted the urge to ask.

“Then let’s get going.”

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