Page 108 of Blood and Bonbons

I opened the trunk for him to stow the garbage. He surprised me by walking with me to the driver’s side door and opening it for me.

“In my time, a gentleman showed a woman every courtesy,” he explained when he caught my stare.

“I’m pretty sure I remember you calling me a hooker the first time you saw me.”

His lips twitched. “True.Almostevery woman then.”

I snorted and shook my head at him as I sat and he closed the door for me.

“Guys still do nice things for girls,” I said as soon as he settled into his seat. “They’re usually dating, though.”

“Interesting.”

I pulled away from the curb and merged with traffic.

“Take me to a bakery you enjoy,” he said. “You can dine and tell me your fairy story.”

I glanced at the clock. There was still plenty of time before I needed to be home for my shift, and he was offering bakery.

* * *

An hour later, I sat back and grinned as Cross laughed at my expense.

“I now understand your fears. Hopefully, the sweets helped soothe your nerves.”

The two empty plates that had held my decadent “sweets” were scraped clean on the table in front of me. One chocolate cake and a red velvet bonbon. I’d ordered the bonbon for Cross, but he’d insisted I eat it since he preferred the kind that I made.

“The sweets did their job. Thank you.”

He stood and did that chair thing that guys sometimes did, and I absolutely loved it. A girl could get used to this kind of attention.

He burst my bubble outside, though, when he led me around to the passenger side of the car and opened the door for me.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“I would like to attempt to drive.”

“In the city? Do you see all the cars?”

“I do. I’ve been paying attention as well. It seems like a simple task.”

“Cross, I can’t afford a new car or the medical bills I’ll rack up if you crash us. I’m human and breakable.”

He smiled at me. “Give me your trust, Everly. You will not be disappointed.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s what Vena said right before I found myself dressed up like a real hooker and walking into Juicy.”

Cross’ eyes flashed black. “I am not Vena.”

“No, you’re not. She’s trouble I can handle. I’m pretty sure I can’t handle your level of trouble.”

He leaned closer to me, our gazes locked, and I watched his slowly shift back to amber.

“Perhaps you can,” he said softly. Then he stepped away from me.

“The choice is yours. I would prefer my first attempt to drive under your guidance, but I can ask another.”

I sighed and got into the passenger seat.

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