My heart did a little dance, followed by a cartwheel right in my chest. I was smiling, but I instantly wiped it away. How could he think I’d jump at the chance to go out with him after he’d disappeared all week long? Not so much as a text to say hello, to let me know he was alive.
Could he really be that dense when it came to women?
I contemplated my response, but then typed a decisive: Sorry, I’ve already got plans for tonight.
When his response didn’t come back immediately, I felt my heart sink. I’d thought for sure he would put a little more effort into talking me into it.
Before I could respond with something stupid, like I’m kidding, I’d love to go out, my phone chimed again.
Edge: Completely understand. I would, however, like to see you at your earliest convenience. Whenever, wherever. Just let me know.
Damn him. How could he do that? Make me like him like that?
“Uggh.” I flopped into my car, slammed the door shut, and stared out the window.
I knew I needed to stick to my guns, to tell him tomorrow might work, but I really, really wanted to see him and I didn’t want to wait.
Jamie: You know what? I was just going to study. I can squeeze that in later. I’d love to see you tonight.
Edge: Are you sure?
Jamie: I’m sure.
Edge: Great. I’ll pick you up at six. Casual works best. Looking forward to seeing you.
Jamie: I’ll be ready.
For the next hour, I had a mental argument with myself. Had I given in too quickly? What did that say about me? Would he think I had no backbone? I didn’t know how to play this game because I rarely dated. Once I got past my initial nerves, things had been easy with Cav. I liked being around him, laughing, joking, even delving into philosophical discussions. The man kept me on my toes in every aspect.
As for Edge, I didn’t know what to expect. Personality wise, they couldn’t have been more different. Cav was laid-back, smiled frequently, laughed without apology. Edge was the strong, silent type. When I thought about Dominants, he was what I pictured in my head.
But I found I liked them equally, which meant I had no choice but to see it through.
So, with him on my mind, I managed to run the few errands I had, then made it home in time to shower and dress. Edge said casual, so I took that to mean jeans, a long-sleeve T-shirt, and Converse. I hoped he didn’t have a different definition, but before I could worry about it, there was a knock on my front door.
Suddenly all those pesky nerves arose, deflating that euphoric bubble lodged in my chest as I made the walk to the door. I pulled it open and stared up into Edge’s handsome face.
“Hey,” he greeted softly, his smile reaching all the way to those beautiful aqua-blue eyes.
“Hi.” God, the man stole my breath with a simple look.
“You ready?”
Would I ever be ready for him? I seriously doubted it, but I held my tongue and nodded.
The conversation was minimal on the way to our destination. My nerves were rioting, which was why I wasn’t rattling on and on about anything and everything, begging for hints as to where we were going. As for Edge, from what I knew of him, he wasn’t much on talking, so I figured he was merely being him.
Then it hit me. My conversation with my brother that morning, my revelation that Edge hadn’t called me.
Oh, crap.
Was this a setup? Was Edge doing this because he felt some strange obligation to my brother?
“No,” I muttered. “God, no.”
“What’s wrong?” Edge asked, his eyes fierce as he stared over at me.
Eyes wide with shock and embarrassment, I stared back at him. “I’m sorry. I … uh … was just thinking.” Holy crap. I’d said it out loud.
“What’s on your mind, sweetness?”
Warmth slipped into my veins simply from hearing him call me that. It was as though a wall came down, one I hadn’t realized I’d been holding up.
I shifted in my seat so I could face him better. “Did you ask me out because I told my brother you didn’t call?”
His smile fell and his brow followed. “What are you talking about?”
“This morning… I had breakfast with Zeke, Case, and Brax. Your name was brought up. I told them about my visit to the club and how I was planning to go back.” I let my gaze slide beyond him and out the driver’s-side window, unable to look him in the eye. “I mentioned you hadn’t called.”
Warm fingers landed on my chin, firmly realigning my gaze with his. “First of all, I don’t do things simply because someone else expects me to. So, no, I didn’t ask you out because you mentioned anything to your brother.”
