Page 16 of Adoring Ink

“You look good enough to eat,” Brody drawled.

She gave him a look. “I was thinking the same thing about you.”

He winked and held out his hand. He was always doing that, giving her time to take that step rather than merely taking her hand. Every move he made gave her the option of staying away, making her own choices. She had a feeling, though, if they were to go to bed together, he’d have far more control over their movements than he did now.

And that was something Holly knew she’d let happen.

She slid her hand into his and walked toward his truck. Thankfully, he’d told her they’d be taking the truck tonight so she knew what to wear. While she liked the surprises he’d thought up, making sure she was dressed correctly for whatever came up wasn’t the easiest thing in the world.

They made their way to the restaurant and talked about their days. She liked being able to do things like this with someone, to have another person to just talk to, but she was also aware that she had to be careful. Brody wasn’t offering a lifetime or even a small commitment. It would do her well to remember that she had to not only guard her body from whatever they might do in the future, but her heart as well.

“How can you have papers to go over when school isn’t in session?”

She blew out a breath. “Because our school system is flawed, and I spend too much time prepping kids for tests they are far too young for and dealing with packet after packet of post-analysis and preparation for the following year. I also have classes to take this summer, but I’m on a break between them at the moment.”

“And you don’t get paid for any of it?”

She shook her head. “Nope. Most teachers I know can’t afford to live on their own if they aren’t married, thanks to our salaries. My house was actually a foreclosure that was falling apart when I got it. Maya’s family’s company actually fixed it up for me, and they let me pay on a payment plan. I’m still working that off, but I will be forever grateful that they made a plan for me on my budget.”

He frowned over at her. “I rent a small apartment that I hate because mechanics don’t make that much either, but I get it. I’m saving for my own shop one day, so owning a home comes later.” He shrugged, and she had a feeling talking about money was putting them both on edge. Neither of them was in a field that would make them rich, but they both helped others. That had to count for something, even if it meant no shopping trips with her friends along the way.

“This is it,” Brody said when he pulled into a parking lot. “It’s not too fancy, but the food is great.”

Holly smiled at the familiar restaurant that wasn’t part of a chain but was run by generations of a local family.

“I’ve been here, actually.” She didn’t mention that it had been with Jake since that didn’t matter. She’d taken Arianna here a few times over the years as well. It was really good German food.

Brody winked at her. “Good to know. That means you know that if you don’t finish your food, the owner comes out and hits you with that ruler of his.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “It’s just a prop, Brody. He doesn’t actually come out and do that.”

Brody snorted and got out of the truck. She opened her door and started to get out when Brody made his way to her side and helped her down. He had those pipe side steps on the sides of his truck, but it was still a pretty far drop for her considering her height.

“You know he’s used the ruler once or twice. Just saying.”

She pressed her hand against his chest as she stepped down, liking the feel of his heat beneath her palm far too much. “I’ll have to take your word for it.”

“I’m a good boy and eat my food,” Brody explained. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of yours too in case you don’t finish it. Wouldn’t want you to get spanked.”

Of course, she tripped over her own feet at that, and he caught her, pulling her toward him. “You did that on purpose,” she accused.

He leaned down and kissed her firmly on the lips. “You know it.”

They were standing in the middle of the parking lot, their breaths quickening and her heart racing.

“Are we dating?” she blurted. “Forget I asked. Never mind. Let’s go get some food. I’m starving.”

She tried to pull away, but he didn’t let her go.

“Yeah, Holly, we’re dating. Is that okay?”

“Oh.” She paused. “Okay.”

He kissed the tip of her nose. “We’re friends on our way to get some food, and I can’t help wanting to kiss you, so yeah, that’s dating in my book. But that doesn’t mean we have to freak out about it. Okay? Just one thing at a time. One checkmark on Holly’s List at a time.”

She looked up at him, studying his face. “Is kissing you on my list, then?”

“Well, until recently, you’d never done that. So, yeah, I guess it is.”