Page 21 of Driven to Love

Chapter 8

Addison turned down Main on her way to Ted’s house. The coffee date on Tuesday went so well, she accepted his invitation to make her dinner tonight. Ted was nothing like the bratty boy she remembered. He was well-traveled and loved to cook. Considerate as well by checking to see if she had any food allergies. All in all, he was coming out of the gate strong. The only thing missing was chemistry, but that could grow… Right?

A bright red Chevy parked in front of the pizza place drew her attention. Nash. He’d been tolerable this week, keeping their interactions to work with minimal small talk. He hadn’t hit on her once, unless she counted his invite to have pizza with the shop guys tonight. She didn’t.

Maybe they really could be friends. Friends with a bro dude? That was uncharted territory for her. She rolled the idea around in her mind. It was a good idea, except for the fact she drifted off to sleep all week to visions of deep blue eyes—and those dimples. She licked her lips just thinking about his forearms, the way the muscles roped up, up, and under the edge of his tee. The only reason she hadn’t pulled her vibrator from the back of her drawer was sheer spite. She could deal with a little sexual frustration over giving in to Nash Steele’s magnetism. Even if she was the only one to know.

She should screw Ted’s brains out tonight just to scratch that itch. She shifted in her seat. That wouldn’t help. Besides, she was looking for a permanent relationship, one with stability. No, better to dig out the vibrator from the back of her drawer.

The drive took ten minutes. She happened to hit the one stoplight in the center of town on red. Ted lived in a Victorian-style home that screamed fixer-upper. From the look of the trim, half soft yellow and half still a faded blue, she’d say he had started the renovation.

Addison made her way across the uneven cobblestone path, careful not to break a heel.

At the door, she rang the bell… Silence. She rang again.

She checked her watch. Did she have the wrong time? No. She knocked.

A moment later, Ted opened the door in jeans and a button-down shirt. “Hi. Sorry. My bell isn’t working. I hope you weren’t waiting long?”

“Not long at all.” He held the door open, and she stepped into the small foyer. “Mmm. Something smells good.”

“Thanks. Dinner should be done in a couple of minutes. Welcome to my home.” He gestured with a wave of his hand.

Addison’s focus followed his arm. His sleeves were rolled up, exposing his forearms. Nice. Not too muscular, but they could hoist her up in a passionate embrace. She shifted from his arms to the house. “You have a beautiful home.”

“Thanks, it has good bones. I have a lot to do to bring it back to its former glory.” He scanned the interior as if looking at it for the first time.

“Have you taken on other remodeling projects before?”

“No, this is the first. Until now, I’ve lived in apartments. But there’s something about this house.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back and forth.

Addison followed his gaze around the room. “It’s a big project for your first.”

“Yeah. I used to bike by this house every day when I was young. Something about it drew me in.” Pulling his gaze back to her, he smiled. “Would you like a tour?”

“Yes.”

“I started remodeling in here.” He stepped through a wooden archway into the living room. Addison followed… and froze.

What the fuck? Eyes. Dozens of them were staring at her. Shock slapped her back. She had no words.

Deer, pheasant, ducks, fish bigger than her, and… was that a pig?

Ted was still talking, something about the varnish. She couldn’t say. She was struck deaf and mute at the sight of all the dead critters.

“Addison?” His voice broke through the fog.

“Yes, sorry. You were saying?” Addison knew several men who were sportsmen, but growing up it was just her and her mother, so this was a first. She glanced around the room one more time. Holy shit. She sucked in a breath. Don’t run. They can’t bite you. Could they?

“Meet the guys. These are my trophies from my trips.” He stroked a hand over the head of a deer with twisted antlers.

“I thought you said you worked for a magazine?”

“I do. It’s a sportsmen’s magazine. I go on safaris and fishing trips.” He took her by the hand and led her around the room, explaining on which trip he got each one.

She followed along in silence. By the third animal, Addison had tuned out, catching bits and pieces about calibers and lures. By the time they stepped into the next room, Addison had lost her appetite.

Thankfully, the dining room was free of animals. Addison exhaled and turned her focus to the remodeling. The wood trim and floors gleamed. Modern lighting and furniture finished the room. She liked it.