Page 48 of Never Going to Care

Hale’s lips turned down in a frown. It wasn’t quite the scowl I’d seen on his face before, but it wasn’t far-off either. “Any time I get to spend with you is good with me.” His voice dripped with sincerity, “I don’t care what we do. If you want to go to a bookstore, then that’s where we’ll go.”

I swallowed hard before reaching over and gripping his shirt to pull him closer to me. I wanted to ravage his mouth, but instead I gave him a sweet kiss full of all the emotions I was still afraid to put a name to and all the hope I have for this to work between us. He looked like he felt ten feet tall when we pulled away from each other. I’ll admit, I felt some sort of smug satisfaction at making him feel that way.

I’m not even sorry about it.

The bookstore is within walking distance so we put our shoes on and headed out. The moment we walked inside we went our separate ways, but knowing he is close and not crowding me settles something inside of me. It does make it hard to concentrate on taking in the books though which is how I find myself thinking over the morning instead. It is like his presence is a tease, a featherlight touch, I can’t take full advantage of.

I could stay in the store all day, but I don’t want to do that to him. Not yet anyway. Still, going to a little, local bookstore is bound to make any day of mine the best.

How I manage to find a book, knowing Hale’s distracting ass is so close, is just a testament to how much I love reading. There’s no other explanation.

When we step out of the store, Hale wraps his arm around my shoulders and tucks me into his side. His voice holds a tease in it, “You know that since you bought it while at my place it has to stay at my place.”

I look up at him and narrow my eyes. I huff, “I think you’re making up rules as you go along.”

He arches an eyebrow in challenge, “So what if I am?”

“Does that mean I can do the same?”

“If you win the bet in the first place,” he counters with a sexy as fuck smolder going on.

I shake my head and roll my eyes at him as we make it back to his place. My heart clenches at the thought. As much as I might protest about staying here after the two weeks is up, I can’t deny that it feels like home to me.

There is part of me who wants to stay, who craves it. I’m not ready to admit it to him yet, but it’s true all the same. I know it. Maybe he does too.

He drops the bag with the books inside the door, but he doesn’t go inside. Instead, he turns and grabs my hand and laces our fingers together. Something like nervousness passes over his features for a moment.

I’ve never seen a look like that on his face and it makes me freeze. I steady myself. Is this it? Are we done?

There’s a vulnerability in his voice which puts me even more on edge, “Can I take you somewhere?”

I swallow hard and nod slowly. “Sure?”

My uncertainty must show on my face because Hale huffs out a laugh. “I promise you, Starlight, it’s nothing bad.”

I breathe a sigh of relief at his words. I mentally berate myself for being so silly because I shouldn’t doubt the man. He’s been upfront with everything, even his gruff demeanor.

Since he’s gotten over it, he’s been telling me I’m his and he’s been showing me how much I mean to him. It’s just hard to trust it. I know it’s silly, but it’s true all the same.

“In that case,” I roll my eyes dramatically at him, making him smirk, “of course.”

He leads me to his SUV, opening the door for me to slide in. I’ve had guys open doors for me, but I always felt like they did it for recognition more than it being natural for them to do so. I don’t get the same impression when it comes to Hale.

He does it to be considerate of me. He does it for me, not to make him look better.

The realization warms something inside of me.

I startle a little when he reaches over me and buckles me in. “Wh-what are you doing?” The stuttered question is out of my mouth before I can stop it.

“I’m taking care of you, Celeste.” His simple words are followed up by a kiss on the forehead which has me melting.

This kind of reaction can’t be healthy, can it? I feel like I’m always about a second away from losing control of my faculties. Maybe letting go of a little control is a good thing.

It certainly feels damn good when he’s taking care of me.

When he slides behind the wheel, I reach over and give his knee a squeeze. I whisper, “Thank you.”

Hale’s eyes are full of surprise when he turns to me, and I flash him a smile. When he reaches over and tucks a few strands of my hair behind my ear, he searches my face. He shrugs as if it’s not a big deal, but it is.

---