Page 24 of Banking on Love

“Okay. Sounds good, Beautiful.” He kissed my forehead. “Let me walk you to your car.”

“It’s two steps. I think I can walk that far,” I shook my head and laughed.

“Hey, those are two steps I get to spend with you.” His hand rubbed the small of my back. Tingles and warmth danced throughout me. I wrapped my arms around his waist and smiled up at him.

“The perfect gentleman.”

“I try to be.” He looked at me as though he had something he wanted to ask or say. He opened his mouth several times but closed his mouth just as fast.

“Spill it, lover boy.”

“Want to spend the night?” he blurted, catching me off guard. He continued holding me but rocked uneasily back and forth on his feet. “I understand if you say no.”

“I’d love to.”

“Really?” He sounded surprised by my answer.

“Yes. Really,” I teased. “Unless you changed your mind already?”

“What? No. Not at all,” he shook his head then lifted me over his shoulder.

“What are you doing?”

“Ensuring you don’t make a getaway,” he chuckled, unlocking the front door. I playfully smacked his ass.

“Giddy-up, horsey! Giddy-up!”

He laughed and pushed open the front door, “Yes, Ma’am. As you wish.”

Chapter Twelve

NICK

“Well, we meet again,” Kensi giggled as I walked across the lobby of the bank towards her.

“Hey, Beautiful,” I smiled. Her cheeks redden almost instantly at my words.

It amazed me how she was so attractive yet blushed when I complimented her. I figured guys hit on her all her time so my words would have no effect on her; however, each time I said something nice about her looks she turned the color of an apple.

“Hey,” she whispered, still blushing. “What brings you in today?”

“Need a bank account,” I admitted in a hushed breath.

“I can help you with that,” she smiled. “Have an I.D.?”

I nodded my head then pulled out my wallet. Kensi watched me as I dug out my driver’s license from my decade-old wallet. The wallet had been through hell but I never thought to get a new one. Kensi probably thought I was a cheap ass or something.

My gut twisted. Her thinking less of me made me sick to my stomach. What if she thought I was poor and couldn’t provide for myself let alone–

Get it together. We aren’t even dating.

“I should probably get a new one, huh?” I asked with a chuckle.

“Looks like it is still holding up just fine,” she smiled brightly then took my driver’s license from me. Her eyes scanned over it carefully. Maybe she was checking to make sure it wasn’t fake.

“It’s real. I swear.” My words came out harsher than I had intended them to be. Kensi looked up at me and frowned.

“Bad day at work?” she asked, cocking her head to the side.

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