Page 214 of Tormented Billionaire Romance Series

I finished my soda and tossed it out, heading back up to the front to the register. Business was a bit slow, but steady, and all the customers were polite. Time passed in a sedate manner and I lost track of it until June showed up to give me my share of the tips from the communal cup. I took the few bills proffered to me and tucked them into my pocket.

“I can’t believe it’s the end of my shift already,” I said.

June put the cup back where it belonged. “Well, if you want a few more hours, I could use an extra closer.”

“I wish I could. I’ve got a date tonight.” The words popped out of my mouth before I even knew what I was going to say.

June raised her thin eyebrows. “You do?”

“Y-yes.”

“Well, I hope they’re a good person, whoever they are.” June smiled and made a shooing motion with her hands. “Get out of here and go have fun.”

I smiled and scurried off, grabbing my coat from my own locker. I stopped by the bathroom and splashed some cold water on my face to cool down my blushing cheeks.

Carter waited for me in the parking lot, standing outside against the hood of his parked car. The wind teased his hair, ruffling his trench coat around his slim frame. I went to him and into his arms and kissed his lips. “You look like a detective,” I whispered.

He pulled me deep into his warm coat and kissed the top of my head. “I must be a good one. The lady I was looking for came right up to me on her own.”

I giggled and stuck my arms inside his jacket sleeves. “Just don’t expect that tactic to work with everyone you need to find.”

Carter twirled me around and walked me backwards to the passenger car door, our arms still stuffed into his sleeves. He released me and opened the door for me. “I’m not going to have to get out the handcuffs to keep you where I want you, am I?”

A dirty joke sprang into my mind. I decided not to say it and just climbed into his car since I wasn’t quite sure if he’d find it funny.

Carter shut my door and came around to the other side. “Do you want to stop by your house for anything before we go to mine?”

I shook my head. “I’m good.”

“Well, alright.” He seemed like he wanted to say more, though he didn’t and just got to driving.

I was glad for his silence on the matter. I didn’t want to have to go through the embarrassment of him seeing my rinky-dink little house again.

“I’ll tell you, you about saved my life yesterday when you texted me.”

I jerked my head up, disbelieving. “What do you mean?”

“Maybe that was a little dramatic.” He chuckled. “What I meant is that I was having a hard time with things.”

I could only imagine what he must have been going through. “You were the one who texted me.”

“Yes, but you’re the one who asked if I wanted to make plans.” Carter put his hand on my thigh. “That really have me something to look forward to so I could get through the whole mess.”

I put my hand over his, feeling his smooth, strong fingers. “Is it… too presumptuous to ask what was happening? I’m not sure I’d understand but I want to listen,” I admitted shyly.

Carter patted my thigh and then gave my knee a little squeeze, which made me catch my breath. “Very sweet of you. I’d rather let that sleeping dog lie for now. I want this night to be just you and me.”

My pulse raced, rushing in my ears. “Me, too.”

We drove back over the bridge to Staten Island, skirting the perimeter of the island until we reached the fence of a gated community.

Carter rolled his window down.

The guard at the gate peered through the window. Recognition flashed on his face and his demeanor changed in an instant, from suspicion to a deep respect. “Good evening, Mr. Bryant.”

“Hey, Hal. How’s the wife?”

Hal pushed a button to open the gate. “Oh, she’s good. Got nothing on that young lady you got there, though.”

---