Page 20 of Just Keep Driving

“No, it was me being nice to the girl after her bad date. Let me know you how it’s done.”

That sunshine smile appears on her face, then she gets up and comes to sit on my lap. “Sure, pick me up at 6.”

Epilogue Five Stars

Lydea

My favorite dress lies across my bed. The bed Champ devoured me in less than 24 hours ago. I close my eyes and shiver as an aftershock hits me. The things that man did to me. I bite my lips and pull on my dress.

We better be doing that again tonight. Wherever this date takes us, I need us to end up right back here.

Yesterday I was nervous as I got ready for my date with Frank. A chill runs through my body as his image pops in my head. Loser.

Today, though, I’m excited. Champ’s going to show me a good time because what little I do know about him is that he’s very thoughtful. I’m not going in with expectations, not because I’m scared he won’t live up to them, but more like I don’t think I can imagine what we’re going to do.

I walk into a mist of my favorite body spray, and slip into my sandals right as he knocks on my door.

My heart beats faster as I get closer to the door. I missed him. And that sounds crazy. I just met him. Being around him makes me feel light and carefree. I don’t hold back, and wrap my arms around him when I open the door.

“Hey!” He wraps his arms around me and chuckles.

I pull back. “It’s good to see you.”

Standing back, I get a good look at him, and damn! He looks even better than before. His jeans fit the thick thighs that pinned me down last night just right, and his shirt is just smedium enough to show off his muscles without looking like he’s trying too hard. We spent most of last night sitting or laying. I have time to take him in now.

Something tells me Champ never has to try too hard at anything. He just has it.

I step aside to let him in, still cheesing like a child. Who has he turned me into? I don’t just like men after one day. I don’t see one-night-stands ever again. Hell, I cooked breakfast this morning.

I laugh at myself and wonder if he’s run everything from last night through today’s clear-headed filter.

Champ approaches me and puts his arms around my waist. “What’s so funny?”

Laughing when you lay eyes on someone does elicit a question. I look up at him, and lose my voice for a second. He grins and leans down to kiss my neck.

I’m under some kind of spell. I tremble and let out a breath. “I was just wondering if you’re thinking about what I was thinking about.”

His laughter is a low rumble. “Most definitely.”

He meets my eyes. “But I want to take you out today. Let’s do this in a different order. We’re definitely coming back for a nightcap back in that bed of yours.”

We head to his car, and he opens the passenger door for me, offering me his hand as I sit down, just like he did last night. It’s not weird this time. And it had to be my trauma that made me think it was weird last night.

“Are we getting tacos again?” I ask, already tasting the carne asada tacos from last night.

“Not today...next time. We’re eating inside today. This is a proper date.”

I look over at him. “What was last night then?”

He holds my eye contact and places a hand on my thigh. “The best rideshare drive I have had.”

I nod. That’s for damn sure.

We pull up to a spot downtown I’ve passed a hundred times and never thought twice about. From the outside, it doesn’t look like much: one of those places you only know about if somebody tells you. Champ hops out and comes around to my side, opening the door and offering his hand again because it’s just what he does, and I take it.

Inside, it’s warm and dim with low music, and people talking just enough to feel alive without being loud. I glance over at him as we walk in, and he’s watching me.

I squeeze his hand. “Okay...you did your big one with this.”