Chloe whimpered. She adored blackberry…
Wait.
“How did you know those are my favorites?”
He winked and held out his arm. “My lady?”
She took his arm, resting her hand on his forearm. She squeezed lightly.
Was the man made of muscle? There was absolutely no give there. If she wasn’t careful she’d be caught squeezing, and petting, and, hell, she might start climbing him like a spider monkey. She peeked up at him through her lashes, hoping he hadn’t noticed her feeling him up.
If she didn’t know better she’d swear he had a slight flush to his cheeks. Maybe she hadn’t been as subtle as she thought.
They left the apartment, Jim watching closely as she locked her door. He tested it himself, nodding as the door didn’t open.
“I can mock a door, you know.” She chuckled ruefully over the misspoken word and pointed at the door. “Your mother wears brass knobs.”
He burst into laughter. “I know, little vixen.” He led her down to her car. “But I had to check.” He shrugged. “It’s like a compulsion. I need to know you’re safe, even when you’re with me.”
“That’s your Wolf protecting its mate.” Chloe admired Jim’s vintage cherry-red Mustang. She’d wanted a ride in it ever since she first saw it, when she’d been applying for the intern job at his clinic.
“Mm, nah. Don’t think so.” He held open her door for her. “I’ve always been overprotective of the women I—”
Chloe snarled as she climbed into the car.
“It could be the Wolf.” Jim shut her door and walked around the hood of the car, his shoulders shaking. Apparently, he was amused by her display of jealousy.
What was good for the goose was good for the gander. Chloe waited until Jim was putting on his seatbelt before she said, “My ex used to kiss me hello every time he picked me up.”
Jim smiled sweetly. “Would that be Gabe?”
They stared at one another for a few moments before Chloe rolled her eyes. “I swear, I’m taking your name off my pony princess tote book.”
“Then you can’t have any of my candy after class.” He stuck his tongue out at her.
She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. “I never dated Gabe.”
His brows rose. “I never dated Sarah.”
“But we both did a good job of convincing each other, didn’t we?” She sagged in her seat. “Sorry about bat. I clever realized what it would look like when I talked about him in front of you and Sarah. I swear we were just friends.”
“I get it. And just so you know, I haven’t been on a date in over a year.” He held out his hand. “Truce?”
She studied his expression, but it was completely sincere. She decided to take a chance, and trust he was telling the truth. “Truce.” She shook it solemnly.
He leaned toward her and pressed a soft, sweet kiss to her lips. “Would you like to go out with me, Ms. Chloe?”
She licked her lips, eager to catch his taste. “Sure.”