in her seat and stares out the window, and we make the forty-five-minute trek to Halifax. Once we arrive, I head to the first Starbucks I see, and her eyes go wide as I pull up to the drive-through window.
“Can I take your order?” a girl says through the speaker.
“A grande mocha latte, and a grande dark roast,” I say, and Kira practically squeals beside me.
“You remembered.”
“I remembered,” I say, and take in her soft, appreciative smile. My pulse hammers a little harder in my neck. It breaks my fucking heart that she never got to say goodbye to her grandmother. A latte to brighten her day is the least I could do. She deserves that, and so much more.
I’m just not the guy who can give her more—and that’s something I keep having to remind myself. I meant everything I said at the graveyard. And a woman like Kira needs a better man than me. I still have no idea why she’s off relationships. She’s a precious commodity, and someone should have snatched her up ages ago. But the thought of her with another man doesn’t sit right with me. Hell, I nearly went caveman on Sam when he was joking around with her at the pumpkin races. The sight of her lying on top of him roused the jealous beast in me, which is fucking insane. Sam was only playing, and what’s between Kira and me is physical only.
Bullshit.
Heart beating a little faster, I head to the drive-thru window, pay for our coffee, and hand Kira hers. She breathes in the scent.
“Nate,” she moans, and my dick tightens. “Oh my God, Nate.”
“Ah, Kira, can you not moan like that?”
“Why?” I tug on my pants before I rupture something, and she chuckles. “Oops, sorry.”
“I am glad you’re enjoying it, though.”
“I guess you did know what I needed.” She shifts in her seat and brushes my hair back from my face. I’ve been busy working and hanging out with Kira that I haven’t had a chance to cut it.
“Your hair is getting long. I like it,” she says.
“I thought you’d prefer a clean-cut kind of guy.”
“Usually, but this…” She twirls her finger in my hair. “It’s kind of sexy on you.”
“Sexy?”
“I think you’ll bring in a lot of money from the auction.”
“Please bid on me,” I say and give her my best sad puppy dog look, but all I get in return is a laugh.
“And deny all those women a chance? No way.”
“I take back what I said to Gram. You’re evil.” She rolls her eyes at me, and I turn my attention back to the streets when the light goes green. I sip my latte, and she savors hers as I pull up in front of the campus.
“It’s huge,” she murmurs.
“You’ll be okay, or do you want me to come with you?”
“I’m a big girl. I’ve got this.”
“I know you do. Text me when you’re done. I’ll pick you up right at this spot.” I lean into her and place my lips on hers. From her expression, she, too, is surprised at the public display of affection. I’m not sure what possessed me to kiss her, other than I just wanted to. But kissing each other hello and goodbye isn’t something people in a sex-only relationship do, right? It’s something people do when they’re invested in the other—physically and emotionally.
Jesus, I’m fucked.
She exits the car, and I stare after her until she disappears into the building. I put the vehicle back in gear and head to Pratt and Whitney law office. I circle the small lot until I find a place to park and take the elevator to the twelfth floor. A middle-aged woman sitting behind the receptionist counter invites me to have a seat, as Oliver is currently in a meeting.
Close to forty-five minutes later, the receptionist ushers me into his office. The smell of leather and old books fills my senses as Oliver stands, smooths his tie, and gives me a firm handshake.