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“You’re a big guy, though. You need to eat more food,” she justifies.
“You’re adorable for defending my appetite, but you don’t need to worry about the cost for tonight. I instructed the manager to put the bill on my credit card.”
“When did you do that?”
“Before you arrived.”
Her eyes open wide and joy spreads across her face. “Ryder, that’s so sweet. You never stop surprising me.”
Her words fill me with a warmth that’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I know what it feels like for my mom and dad to be proud of me. I’m lucky to have had that throughout my life. What I’m not used to is surprising people who aren’t related to me. At least not in a good way.
Calista makes me want to be a better man, the best version of myself I can be. And I want to keep surprising her with kind and unexpected gestures that please her. I’m starting to realize exactly how much I’ve fallen for her.
The idea of falling in itself is intimidating, but it’s not until you think of the “how” that it turns scary. Falls aren’t planned. They typically happen rapidly and without control. And from what I’m learning firsthand, it seems that falling in love is no different.
My beautiful passenger is asleep when I park in her driveway and turn off my truck.
I touch her arm. “Calista, honey, you’re home.” She doesn’t react at all. Climbing out, I pocket my keys and head around to open her door. “Calista. It’s time to wake up.” Cupping the side of her face, I caress her cheek with my thumb.
“Hmm.” She hums in her sleep.
I smile. “Wake up, beautiful.”
Her eyes open to slits. “Too tired. Sleep here.” She rolls her head in the other direction, away from me, releasing a tiny snore.
I cover my mouth, smothering my laughter. How the hell am I going to get her into her house?
I spot her tiny purse in her lap and surmise her keys must be somewhere inside. I have a strict rule I follow that forbids me from going through a woman’s purse. However, with this being an unusual situation, it calls for an unorthodox solution.
A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.
Undoing the snap, I snatch her keys up by the ring, then fasten it closed once again. Slinging her purse over my shoulder, I slip one arm behind her and the other underneath her knees, lifting her into my arms. Maneuvering carefully, I ease her from my truck and push the door closed with my hip. Carrying her isn’t much of a challenge but finding the correct key on the ring sure is. The third time’s a charm and I’m able to get her inside without waking her up. I don’t know which room is her bedroom, but with only one story, it shouldn’t be hard to find. I know the kitchen and living area are to the right, which means the bedrooms are off the hallway on the left side of the house. The first room is a guest room/office, the second is a bathroom, and the last is her bedroom.
I gently set her down on top of her comforter and place her purse on the nightstand. I click on the lamp and glance around the simple space. Her walls are painted a light green and her curtains and comforter are white.
She shifts her legs, calling my attention to the fact that she still has heels on. That won’t work. I set about undoing the tiny buckle positioned over each of her ankles. With the size of my fingers, this is no easy feat. I feel like I’m suddenly the definition ofall thumbs.
Finally, I’m able to remove her shoes and place them in her closet. I return to the bed and lean over her, bracing my weight with a hand on the mattress.
“Calista… Calista.” The second time I call her name is louder. Her eyelids flutter open and close again. “Calista,” I say forcefully. Her eyes snap open, remaining that way. “Hey, beautiful. You’re in your bed. I carried you inside, but I didn’t want to leave until I made sure you’re okay.”
Her lips curve into a sleepy smile. “You carried me inside?”
“I did, and I’m going to head home now.”
“Nooo.” She throws her arms around my neck. “You can’t leave yet.”
I laugh. “I can’t?”
“Uhn-uh.”
“Why not?”
“I need a kiss.”
“I think I can manage to deliver on that request.” Lowering my mouth to hers, I nibble on her plump bottom lip, then drag my tongue along the length. Her mouth parts beneath mine with a sigh of relief, as if my kiss is exactly what she needs. It makes me feel like I’m a goddamn king in her eyes.
Her arms slide around my back, drawing me toward her. Slipping off my shoes, I climb on the bed and settle between her legs.
