Page 22 of Wild Rush Of Love
“No. Iamguilty of not having breakfast before starting out though.” He shrugged. “I was in a bit of a hurry.”
“Oh.” Had he been anxious to get here?
“Wanted to make the most of the six days I have off.”
Was it Baltimore or her he wanted to make the most of in that time? Reena hoped it was the latter.
“I could cook…” She tried to recall what she had on hand. Working at Sunday’s meant it was easy to grab a meal before heading home so she usually didn’t have much in her cupboards or refrigerator, and she hadn’t shopped since returning from her holiday. Plus, she wasn’t the best in the kitchen. It was safer to let someone else do the cooking.
“Take me to your favorite place to eat. Count it as our first tour of Baltimore.”
“Are you sure you want to go out after the long drive?” Wasn’t he tired?
Nodding, he said, “Yep. I can’t wait to get to know your city.”
Reena smiled. “I know the perfect place.”
They’d go to Pat’s Pub. Maybe eat at Sunday’s, depending on the number of customers already there. Saturday night was popular with the locals, and it wasn’t unheard of to have a line outside or a bar full of people waiting to be seated.
“Let’s go then.” Holding out his hand, he waited by the door.
“Don’t you want to get settled first? Freshen up or—” The rumble of Rush’s stomach echoed off the walls and Reena laughed. “Okay, I get the message, food first.”
Slipping her hand in his, she let him lead her outside. Their fingers wove together seamlessly, as though they’d been doing it for years, not weeks. It felt so natural, so right, contentment settled over her.
For the first time in seven days, the itching, twitching part of her stilled. Reena marveled at the power this man had over her emotions.
Two weeks. They’d only spent two weeks together and it seemed like an eternity. As though she’d known him her whole life.
“You’re quiet. What’s that brain thinking about now?”
Reena smiled. Rush had spent their days together pulling her out of her thoughts. He’d told her she spent too much time inside her head and needed to get out of there and appreciate the world around her. Of course, he’d also said he was the perfect man to help her enjoy it.
“I’m thinking about you.”
He glanced down at her with one eyebrow cocked. “Me?”
“Yes. You.”
“What about me?” He squeezed her hand and tugged her closer. “Having second thoughts?”
“No. I want you here.” And she did. She wanted him here so much it scared her. There hadn’t been a minute over the last seven days when she hadn’t thought about him, hadn’t wanted to be with him. Resting her head on his shoulder she said, “I missed you.”
“Good. But I missed you more.” Rush slipped his hand from hers and wrapped his arm around her. “Kinda scary how much I missed you.”
It was nice to hear he had some trepidation about what was between them. She needed him to be with her in this instant connection. “It’s a little crazy how we clicked.”
“Crazy doesn’t mean it’s bad.”
“Didn’t say it was bad. And I meant the speed with which I felt connected to you. I’ve never had that with anyone before.”
“Me either.” He gave her a squeeze and kissed the top of her head. “Okay, which way? Are we walking or driving?”
“Walking. Pat’s is only a few blocks away.”
“The place where you work?”
Reena loved that he remembered. “Yes. Well, Pat’s is the pub side. I work in Sunday’s Side, the restaurant.” She slid her arm around his waist and urged him to the right. “Five minutes, ten if we dawdle.”
