Page 319 of Small Town Firsts

"As can be." I back her into the side of my car, caging her in with my arms. "Say yes. I swear you won't regret it."

Her eyes flit from mine, to the ground, and back again. "I think I probably will, but okay. Yes."

I'm half-tempted to fist pump in my victory, but I rein it in. "Are you free Friday?"

Emmalyn nods.

"Good. I'll pick you up at four." I step back and open her door.

She slides into her seat, a funny look on her pretty face. "Four seems pretty early."

"I have my reasons."

"We'll see."

I grin at her cheekiness as I round the front of my car. Once I'm behind the wheel, I start the engine and throw it into gear. "Guarantee it'll be the best date you've ever been on."

She snorts out a laugh. "It'll be the only."

"What?" Surely, I misheard her. I know she dated in high school. She had a doofy little douche of a boyfriend. Rob complained about him incessantly.Hello, red flag. Talking about hindsight being twenty-twenty."You had a boyfriend though...what was his name?"

"I mean, Aaron and I went out, but it was always group stuff, you know?"

"So, I'll be your first date?"

She shifts in her seat. "Yeah, I guess you will be."

I stop in front of her dorm building, not bothering to park in a space, and slam the gearshift into park. "Friday. Four o'clock.”

With a small smile on her face, she unbuckles her seat belt and reaches for the door handle.

“Oh, and, Emmy, pack a bag, because you're spending the night.”

She starts to reply, but I reach over the console and pull her back into the seat, pressing my lips to her, silencing her with my kiss.

CHAPTER 31

STERLING

After droppingEmmalyn back at her dorm, I head home. I should probably work on grading for Vic, but the only thing on my mind is getting a jumpstart on planning the best first date ever.

Jesus.

Even thinking that makes me feel like I've lost my balls. But fuck if I care, because something tells me Emmalyn Price is worth it.

I wave my fob over the censor on my door. The light flashes to green and I shoulder the door open, kicking off my shoes in the foyer before heading back to my bedroom to change into something more comfortable.

I'm half-tempted to shower, but I know the second I get under that hot spray, I'll end up with my hand wrapped around my dick as I beat off to thoughts of Emmalyn.

As tempting as that sounds, it's not conducive to my end goal...making her mine. So, instead, I swap my jeans for sweats and pad back down the hall toward the kitchen in search of coffee.

Armed with my laptop and caffeine, I make my way to the couch.

"I was wondering when you'd get here."

"What the fuck!" I shout, as my laptop goes flying across the room, and my mug drops to the floor, shattering on impact, splashing scalding hot coffee all over my bare feet. I stumble back, slipping and sliding, in an attempt to escape the scorching liquid.

"Don't be so dramatic, Sterling."

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