Page 63 of Finding Lexie
“You’re worth it,” he said simply.
“Now I’m gonna have to find a way to pay you and this Baker character back,” she said.
All sorts of dirty things sprang to Midas’s mind, but he kept them to himself.
As if she could see into his head, Lexie rolled her eyes. “Why are guys always so perverted?” she asked somewhat rhetorically.
“Hey, I’m holding a beautiful woman, one I admire greatly, and one who I just spent a wonderful day with. You can’t blame me,” Midas told her.
“Seriously, Midas. Thank you. You have no idea how much that will change those kids’ lives. And probably their parents’ too.”
“I never would’ve thought about it if it wasn’t for you,” he said honestly. “You make me want to be a better person.”
She smiled at him. Then said, “I have to get up. Blow my nose. And you probably have things you need to do.”
He did, but Midas shook his head anyway.
“I had an amazing day,” Lexie said. “Thank you for taking me around.”
“Of course. And someday we’ll stop at all those places we saw on our way to Waikiki.”
Her eyes lit up. “I’d like that.”
“Good.” As much as Midas wanted to keep Lexie right where she was, he knew she had stuff to do too. He sat up, taking her with him, and helped her stand. Then he grabbed her empty cup and they headed inside. He pointed out the bathroom and put her cup in the sink.
Midas had a busy week ahead of him. A new threat was immerging in Papua New Guinea that they were keeping their eyes on, and they had several intense training sessions planned for the week. As much as he wanted to spend every waking minute with Lexie, he had responsibilities, as did she.
He knew she’d be working long hours at Food For All to continue to learn how everything operated. She wanted to get to know her fellow coworkers better and make sure they knew she was willing to do her part. Not to mention, the two mobile events that Food For All had planned for the week. They’d be setting up in Ala Moana Regional Park, which was notorious for its homeless population, as well as heading over to Kapi’olani Regional Park near Diamond Head to pass out free food. Lexie had organized both, determined to work hard not only for the organization, but for the people she served as well.
When Lexie exited the bathroom, Midas simply stared at her for a moment.
“What?” she asked, self-consciously running a hand over her hair.
“Nothing,” he said with a shake of his head, moving toward her. “I’m just so glad we got to spend the day together.”
“Me too,” she agreed. “I really do love your house.”
“Good. Because I hope you’ll be wanting to spend more time here with me.”
“If that was an invitation, I accept,” she said a little shyly.
“It was. And good. Come on. We can stop and grab some dinner before I get you back to your place.”
“Sounds awesome,” she said.
“There’s a place called Thelma’s not too far from here. We can get something to go and it should still be warm by the time I get you home.”
“Thanks,” she said.
“Anything for you,” Midas said, meaning it. He placed his palm on her cheek and rubbed his thumb back and forth over her smooth skin. “You good now?”
She nodded.
“May I kiss you again?”
“I’d be upset if you didn’t,” she said honestly.
Midas grinned, and was still smiling as his lips met hers.
