Page 25 of Unsure in Love

Was this it? Take her back to her hotel and call it a night? Or did I invite her out for drinks… or coffee? I was so out of practice with the whole dating thing. Ken was right. I needed to put effort into a social life. My car came into view. I had to think fast or risk not seeing her again while she was in Brooklyn.

“What do you say to a repeat of tonight? Or even prolonging it?”

Her eyebrows shot up. “As in you don’t take me back to my hotel?”

“Not yet.” Preferably not for the rest of the night.

Cass sucked in a breath, and her eyes darted from side to side. There she went, acting cagey again. “It would be for the best if we…”

The car pulled up at our feet, and the valet got out. I was glad for the interruption because I knew she was going to refuse. At least now I had time to convince her otherwise. After dinner, I was having this craving to spend more time with her and I was a little irritated with myself. What happened to my rule about never getting too emotionally involved?

Opening her door, I gestured for her to get in. “Buckle up.”

Her annoyed eye roll made me smile. Clearly, she didn’t do well with taking orders.

Before I closed the door, I glimpsed worry in her eyes. One would think I was a complete stranger, kidnapping her or something. As I walked around and got into the car, I remembered why I avoided dating. Women were complicated.

When I drove off, the car was silent for a while. Finally, I glanced at her. “Best for you,” I said.

Cass looked at me as if I’d gone insane. “What are you talking about?”

“Before we were interrupted, you were going to say it’s best if we go our separate ways tonight and never see each other again.”

She snorted. “You can read minds now?”

Chuckling, I returned, “At least you didn’t deny it.” My attention was on the road, but I imagined her rolling her eyes. “You don’t know what’s best for me because you don’t know me.” I liked to hide what I was feeling, especially from someone I wasn’t that close to, but I chose not to hide this time.

“Hey, let’s not forget that you weren’t too thrilled about me getting to know you in the first place,” she reminded me. “Getting information about you was like pulling teeth.”

She got me there. I had been a little standoffish when she’d asked questions in that bar. In my defense, I had no idea the woman would leave me wanting more of her. I had assumed we’d have some fun and part ways, then after a few days, I’d forget about her. But that’s not what happened. I couldn’t forget about her and I didn’t want to. “True, but I’ve changed my mind. I’m allowed. I want you to get to know me.” And I really wanted to get to know her. “I like you.”

“What if I’m not interested in getting to know you? What if I don’t like you?”

When I glanced at her, she had her arms folded and her chin lifted in defiance. I ached to kiss her pouty lips. Eyes back ahead, I blew out a breath. “I think you are, and I think you do.”

She scoffed. “The arrogance of this man.”

Grinning because I was so stimulated by her, I shrugged. “Arrogant though I may be…” I mean, why deny it? “Let’s not forget who came on to whom in that bar.”

I virtually felt the daggers she threw at me with her eyes, but she didn’t deny it. “But that… It doesn’t mean…” Cass let out a sound of exasperation. “Alright, fine. I do like you.” She threw her hands up, and I chuckled.

“Why do you sound so annoyed by that?” This was probably the most amusing conversation I’d had with a woman. You know, except the one where Cass propositioned me for a one-night stand.

“Because I am.” Sighing, she combed her fingers through her hair. “I wasn’t supposed to like you this much.”

My eyes met hers briefly before returning to the road. “Yeah. I feel you on that one,” I murmured. “So, it’s established. We like each other. What do you say about spending a little more time together?”

“What sense does it make? I’m leaving in a few days.”

“That’s why it’s a perfect scenario, Cassandra.”

She laughed, and I glanced at her with raised eyebrows.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. It’s just when you say my full name, your accent is slightly audible.” She cleared her throat lightly. “I like it.”

Staring ahead, I fought the satisfied smile trying to push through. “Noted.”

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