Page 4 of Case Closed
"I do, and it's pretty badass." Abbie smirks. Okay, it is, but I'm grasping at straws. Taylor was a big part of helping take down the asshole who was stalking Abbie and trying to ruin her career.
“Thanks again for coming down and opening my door,” I say, trying to change the subject. Spencer and Abbie live on the top floor of the building and thankfully have a spare key to my place.
“This is her way of avoiding this whole conversation,” Abbie teases. “She’s saying thanks instead of telling us it’s time to go.”
“Abbie, what the hell? Help a girl out here.”
“Shit, sorry.” She cringes again. “I’m actually kind of tired.” She fakes a dramatic yawn, and I snort a laugh. Gosh, I love her. She’s such a dork.
“All right, I’ll stay out of it.” Spencer puts his hands up.
“Thank you.” I kiss Abbie and then Spencer on the cheek as they leave, telling them I’ll see them tomorrow at the Halloween party.
“Hey,” Spencer says right before I can shut the door behind them. “From what we know of Taylor, he always gets what he’s after.”
“Then what?” I ask, shrugging a shoulder. “When he gets what he’s after, the chase is over.” Spencer throws back his head and laughs, and I scowl. “What the hell is so funny?”
“Scout, even when he finally gets you down the aisle, you’re still going to make that man chase you. It’s why you two fit.”
With that, he and Abbie head back up to their place but not before I see him pull her in for a kiss as the elevator doors close.
Whenever I see the two of them together, it makes me ache to have the same. I know I’m running from Taylor, but I’m scared. I know it, and Taylor knows it too. It's hard to get past all the bullshit I witnessed growing up with my mom. So many men came and went from her life. She would be in utter destruction for months, only for her to go out and do it all over again with someone new. It was a merry-go-round of drama she never got tired of. To this day, it’s still how she is with men, and I told myself I’d never be like her.
Annoyed more with myself than anything, I lock my door and head to my bedroom. Once there, I kick off my heels and change into pajamas before washing my face. My stomach growls, reminding me that I ran out on Taylor before we ate dinner.
I should text him and tell him I’m sorry for ditching him. Guilt starts to weigh on me that I left him at the restaurant alone. Although he’s not totally alone since he has my purse. Which is a reminder that I can’t text him because I don’t have my phone. I suppose I could do it from my MacBook.
All those thoughts go out the window when I walk into the kitchen and see Taylor making himself right at home. I stand there for a few seconds wondering if I’m imagining this and have truly lost my mind.
“You forgot my panties,” he says, placing two plates down on the kitchen island before he starts taking containers out of a bag.
“You broke into my home?” I press my lips into a firm line so that I don’t smile.
I’m supposed to be pissed, but holy crap do these over-the-top acts make me giddy inside. He knew about my date tonight and busted it up, and now this. That’s only today. Taylor is always finding a way to show up wherever I am. What the hell am I supposed to do? I think I might already be in love with him, but I can’t admit that to anyone. Especially myself.
Taylor is going out of his way to make it clear that he's more than willing to put in the effort. Maybe that's what I need. To be sure that he’ll always show up and not flake out like I've seen so many other men do. I know it's messed up that I'm comparing him to anyone else. Especially the men my mother dates, but I can't help it. Taylor has never done anything that's made me question his character. If anything, he’s everything I’ve ever wanted. I’ve just never allowed myself to dream of having someone like him.
"It's not breaking in if I have a key."
"Do you need a key to break in?"
Taylor cocks his head my way, smirking. Of course he doesn’t. That shouldn’t be as hot as it is, but I can’t control my vagina. Clearly.
"If all it would take is a locked door to keep me from you, then I'm not worthy of having you." He keeps his eyes on me as he slips off his suit jacket. “Now be a good girl and sit down and eat.”
He pulls out one of the chairs for me, and I silently do as he says.
Damn it, now these panties are ruined too.
Chapter Four
TAYLOR
While Scout eats, I manage to keep my mouth shut. After she ran out on me at the restaurant, I had them wrap everything up so I could take it to her apartment. She has hardly eaten anything all day, and pushing her buttons would stop her from finishing her meal. As much as I love her buttons, I love taking care of her more.
“Did you get enough?” I ask, pushing my plate closer to her. She’s going to tell me she’s full, but I saved her some of my steak because I know she’ll eat it.
“I’m full.”
