Page 59 of Privileged (Adrenalin)

Deep down, I know Blake is right, and since I already boasted to Carter that I wasn’t going to worry about what people say, I should back that up and venture out with him on my arm. But not worrying about the gossip and inviting into our lives by going out in public are two different things. Are we ready for that? Even if we are, is it the smart thing to do, considering the scrutiny he could face from his father?

“You’re hesitating,” Blake interrupts my thoughts. “You think he’ll refuse?”

“Not like that.” I shake my head firmly. “It’s just that Carter’s taking risks, too. Our relationship or whatever it is probably won’t go over well with the people he answers to. The ones financing the resort. I don’t get the impression they’ll approve of employees interacting with the management.”

“All the more reason to show the town it’s not just sex. That way if management questions it, you have their support.”

I feel Blake watching me as I turn that over in my mind. There’s a certain amount of logic to showing the town this is more than two people hooking up, but it could also lead to questions I’m not sure either of us are prepared to answer. I mean, I don’t even know what to call us, so how can I explain it to others?

“You’re overthinking,” Blake interrupts my train of thought. “Grab a meal and drop by The Underground afterward for a drink. Easy.”

“What do we say when people ask what we’re doing?” I wring my hands together.

“You say you’re grabbing a meal and getting a drink,” he deadpans.

“Won’t people ask if we’re on a date? What do we tell them?”

“Probably, and yes. That’s the whole point of going out in public, right? To show people you’re together.”

“You know what I mean.” I smack his arm. “We haven’t labeled anything so what do we call each other?”

“Carter and Sloan. Or my date. Are we done with the ice? I can’t feel my ankle anymore.”

“Yeah, we’re done with the ice.” I start to undo the wrap securing the cool pack to his ankle. “I can’t wait for the day when you’re in my shoes. Starting a relationship in this town isn’t as easy as you make it out to be.”

“That’s why I’m not in one,” he states wryly.

“The eternal bachelor, huh?” I give him a hand to help him rise off the chair.

“Not eternal. I’m just not going to put myself under the town microscope until I’m sure I’ve foundthe one.”

“How will you know who that is if you don’t date the person first?” I hand him his crutches.

“The way I understand it, the right person strikes you down like a bolt of lightning. When I feel that, I’ll know it’s the one.”

Once again, Blake’s offhand comments have me reeling.Struck by lightning. That’s the perfect way to describe what I feel around Carter. At first, it was just his looks—the man is legitimately beautiful—but the more he reveals about himself, the more enamored I am with who he is as a person.

He doesn’t wear it on his sleeve—hell, he seems to go out of his way to hide it—but there’s a giant heart inside Carter that drives everything he does, and I love that about him. Could that mean… It’s too soon for something like that, right? I don’t even have the guts to call him my boyfriend, much less the man I love. Yet, what I feel for him is more than lust. More than merely respect or affection.

I’ve known for a while now my feelings exceed those of desire or attraction, but I’ve been trying not to let them wander into love territory. Not when there are still so many unknowns about where this thing between us is going.CouldI love Carter? Without question. Do I already? It’s best if I don't answer that. Not without knowing how he feels.

“Get out of your head, dude.” Blake waves a hand in front of my face. “You just got done telling me Carter’s taking a risk by dating you, which I’m guessing he wouldn’t do lightly if it could upset the peoplehe answers to. So stop wondering what you mean to the man and just make it official already.”

“And if it’s too soon?”

“Wait any longer and the choice is going to be made for you, if it hasn’t been already. This town is too small for a secret that big.” He offers a reassuring smile to make the words sting less.

“You’re right,” I concede with a heavy sigh. “Time to go out in the open.”

***

“Hey,” Carter calls out as he enters the apartment.

“In here,” I answer from my spot on the couch.

At his urging, I scaled back my shifts at Murphy’s so we could spend some evenings together, but before he gets home, I usually have a few hours to kill. Sometimes I cook, which is still a work in progress, so mostly I read. I feel a little guilty doing nothing while Carter’s still at the office, but I’ve been working back-to-back shifts for nearly a year, so it’s nice to reclaim a little quiet time for myself.

“What are you reading that has you so deep in thought?” He sits next to me and tips my chin up for a quick kiss.

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