Page 327 of Small Town Firsts

"It's as much for me as it is for you. I want to know you'll be able to take care of yourself when I'm not around."

His words cause something inside of me to break a little, but in the best possible way. This man is nothing like what I thought he was. In fact, he may very well be everything I never knew I needed; he's damn sure everything I've ever wanted.

Somehow, he's morphed from my own personal nightmare into a dream come true.

CHAPTER 35

STERLING

"So,you're cool with me bringing you here?" I ask, feeling particularly nervous. I can't even pinpoint why I'm so on edge over her liking this, but I am. "You're not upset or anything?"

"Sterling, how could I ever be upset at you for wanting to protect me?"

"True, true." I shoot a cocky smirk her way. "I do what I can."

She laughs, and the sound sends zips of molten energy through me.

"I mean, really, you owe me."

I groan at her teasing, even if there's a thread of truth to it. "Are you ever going to stop bringing up what an awful shit I was to you?"

She grins. "Probably not."

"Fair enough. Now, let's get you signed up."

Once the paperwork is complete, she turns to me with a timid smile. "Seriously though, thank you for an absolutely amazing night. I know I keep repeating myself, but I truly couldn't have asked for anything better for my first date."

I brush a strand of hair off of her face, tucking it behind her ear. "You deserve all of this and more, and it might sound crazy,but if I have any say in it, I'm damn sure going to be the one to give it to you."

Her eyes get a faraway look as we walk back to my car. I can't help but wonder what she's thinking. Deciding to go for it, I ask.

She laughs nervously. "Nothing."

"No, not nothing."

"It's nothing," she insists.

"It's something." I open her door and help her into her seat.

"Sterling, please." She turns her face away from me. "Can we talk about it later?"

I debate pushing the issue, but eventually decide that she's right; we can talk about it later.

"So, what next?" she asks once I'm behind the wheel.

"Well, we can either find something else to do or we can go back to my place...if you're still okay with staying over. If not, I'll take you home."

"No!" she blurts, whipping around to face me. "No, please take me back to your place...that's where I want to be."

Feeling like I've won the lottery, I don't waste a second starting the car and pulling into traffic. The drive home passes like molasses. Every mile feels like ten with her shooting me these nervous, coy looks, nibbling on her lip, and squirming in her seat.

It's obvious there's something on her mind, possibly even something dirty, but I don't want to push and risk her shutting down completely.

Once we’re safely inside of my house, I offer her some after dinner coffee, which she readily accepts. I'm starting to think she might be as addicted to caffeine as I am, if not more so.

"Do you want to drink it on the deck? I can light the fire pit."

"That sounds perfect." Her voice has an almost dream-like quality to it that sends an appreciative chill down my spine.

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