Redesigning Fate (Revive #1) - A. M. Wilson Page 0,34
briefly kisses my lips. “I’m glad I brought you too.”
“I mean it. I know I sort of sprung it on you, but I like learning more about you.”
I let out a squeak as Elias crushes me against him, his lips finding their way to my forehead. “It means a lot that you want to. Now, let’s get you home before I give you something else to learn about me.”
My forehead wrinkles in confusion. “What does that mean?”
He gives a pointed look toward his crotch and then raises an eyebrow at me. “Oh!”
“Yeah. But not tonight. It’s late, and I don’t want to get you fired just yet.”
“Um, okay. Yeah. Probably a good idea,” I blather on, even though my body is slowly heating from the inside out. When he puts it that way, I couldn’t care less about my job.
“Christ, you’re cute.”
***
“Brooks and Boulder, this is Marlena speaking. How can I help you?”
“You sound so hot when you answer the phone like that.” Elias’s smooth voice slides out from the earpiece.
“Ha ha. That’s funny. What’s up? You could just text me you know.”
“I know, but I didn’t know how busy you were today. Can I pick you up after work?”
“I don’t know why you bother asking anymore. You’re five for five this week.” Today is Friday. We’ve known each other for one entire week, and each day after work, Elias has picked me up to spend time together. A part of me feels anxious and awkward, like we’re moving too fast. But another part of me is quietly ecstatic.
“You’re right. You should leave your car at home. I can give you rides.”
I nearly choke on the sip of coffee I’m taking. “Whoa, buddy. How about we slow down here a bit. Besides, I like driving myself to work.”
Elias chuckles in that deep voice of his that so far hasn’t failed in turning me on. I think if he were here, my clothes would take themselves off. “Hmm. I’ll give you that. So is this a yes to picking you up?”
“Definitely a yes. I’m done at five.” I mentally calculate there are about four-point-one hours left until he’s here.
“Do you have tennis shoes in your car?”
“Am I a woman? Of course, I have extra shoes in my car. Why?”
“Surprise. I’ll see you at five.”
I put down the receiver, unable to wipe this ridiculous grin off my face. Lately, I’ve felt more comfortable than I have in a long time. Being with Elias is easy, fun. Ever since the heavy conversation on our first actual date, we haven’t visited those topics again. I’m glad I put myself out there right away, instead of harboring this huge secret about my hurt and insecurities. I would have been a lot more nervous on our dates than I have been. Actually, I hardly feel nervous at all anymore. It nice for a change. It’s as if the grip of anxiety has finally started to loosen its hold on my life.
Five rolls around surprisingly quick, and I lock my computer, grab my purse, and hurry down to the lobby. This time, Elias isn’t already waiting for me, so I head outside to wait for him. Just as I’m closing my trunk with my sneakers in hand, I catch sight of him driving down the street. I dash off to meet him before he pulls into the parking lot.
“Hey, you,” he says as I climb in. “What did I do to deserve that huge smile you’re giving me?”
“Oh nothing, I’m just really happy to see you.”
“Lucky me then,” he replies, sliding on a smirk of his own.
The drive is quick, not leaving room for conversation as I study the blurring cityscape passing by. He pulls up to a small café barely a couple of miles away.
“This looks nice,” I say, eyeing the outdoor patio.
“We’re just grabbing a quick bite before we go have some fun.”
We walk hand-in-hand to the counter and place our orders. We both choose a deli type sandwich, which appears to be their specialty. “Go ahead and grab a seat. I’ll meet you outside,” he tells me while pulling out his credit card.
I walk out to the patio, sitting at one of the tables with an umbrella. It’s an uncharacteristically hot April day; the sun is beating down in a cloudless sky. I spot Elias walking over with a tray, looking sexy as all get out. He has on a pair of jeans that highlight his muscular thighs, and a red striped button down