Page 26 of Possess

“As much as I hate to stop, we both have jobs to get back to.” Everything in him protested his words, but it was the right thing to do.

She blinked several times before she came out of her dreamy state. Color flared high in her face and neck. Allyson took a step back, and her arms fell from around him. He missed her touch, even as light as it was.

“None of my friends kiss like that.”

Zeke chuckled. “Wednesday, I’ll pick you up at six.”

“I can drive myself.”

He titled his head and stared at her, not saying another word.

She sighed. “That’s fine.”

“Thank you.”

“Make sure you file those new plans. And have a good rest of your day.” Allyson turned on her heels to walk to the door.

“Bossy much?” Zeke said.

She stopped and turned back to him. “When it comes to getting these jobs right, you bet.” She continued on her way.

“Allyson,” he said when she pulled the door open. “See you Wednesday.”

“Bossy much?” she quipped, turning his words back on him.

He grinned. “You have no idea.”

Allyson rolled her eyes before walking out and closing the door softly behind her. She had no idea how bossy he could be. But she’d find out once they got past the friendship part of this relationship and only if she was willing.

* * * *

Allyson looked at her closet and then back to her bed. She had clothing everywhere. She sighed. This was not good. It shouldn’t be this hard to find something to wear to dinner.

Zeke had texted her that he was going to take her to the Double D BBQ, so dressing should be easy, but it wasn’t.

“Come on, Allyson,” she said out loud. “You’re not trying to impress him or anything. This is friends going to dinner.” With a shake of her head, she grabbed a pair of black jeans and one of her embroidered tops.

She put the rest of the clothes back in her closet and glanced at the clock. Five-thirty. Damn. A quick brush of her teeth, a splash of makeup, and she was back in her bedroom to dress.

She’d just slipped on her sneakers when the doorbell rang. Allyson ran to the box on the wall by the door. “Yes.”

“Good evening, Allyson,” Zeke’s voice sent shivers over her skin.

“Opening the door.” She pressed the button to buzz him in. Allyson closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and blew it out before she opened her apartment door. “Hi,” she said when he approached.

“Hi.” He leaned down and brushed a soft kiss over her lips. “You look delicious enough to eat.”

Allyson gripped the metal door handle to stop herself from launching herself into his arms and deepening the kiss.Oh girl, you got it bad.Remember you’re the one who insisted on friendship, not a relationship.She stepped back. “Come on in while I get my purse.”

“Thank you.” His voice was soft as she turned to get her purse from her bedroom. It wasn’t like he hadn’t been in her apartment before. But she still hurried to grab her purse off her dresser.

Zeke was still standing by the door, but his gaze moved around her apartment. “It’s small but I like it.” Why did she feel embarrassed by her apartment size? Maybe because Zeke was a big man. No, that wasn’t quite right. He was very fit, well built and…all those muscles.

“It suits you.” He opened the door.

“Thank you.” She locked up after they stepped out, and he guided her to where his black truck sat in a visitor parking spot. Like a true gentleman, he opened the passenger door for her. Allyson pulled herself up into the cab and then reached for her seatbelt.

“Everything at work going okay?” he asked as he pulled away from her apartment complex.

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