Page 9 of Home Stretch

SIX

Kade

I pullinto the parking lot of Malia’s apartment and hop out of my car, wiping my sweaty palms on my pants before I can think better of it. Taking a few deep breaths, I remind myself to walk up the stairs like a normal person and not leap up them three at a time just to get to Malia that much faster.

Figuring out where to take her on our date was hard at first. Sequoia isn’t a big town, and only two restaurants would be appropriate for a first date. Neither of them are quite right, though. Not when the first date is with the girl of my dreams.

I want to take her somewhere she’s never been before. I want her to have fun with me and feel comfortable around me. I may not be able to take her to a Michelin star restaurant in Los Angeles, but I can show her how much love and peace a life with me would give her. I hope that’s enough for her to fall for me completely.

I know Malia likes the outdoors. She’s always sitting under the same tree on campus in between classes, smiling as the sun warms her skin. I wonder if she knows I purposefully walk between the Armstrong and Briar buildings every day just to catch a glimpse of her there. That route is way out of the way for me, but it’s worth it. Seeing her so happy makes me happy.

Hendrix and Thorne both gave me knowing looks when I said I was going out tonight. I’m sure the news of my date with Malia has already spread through our friend group like wildfire. I left before they could try to offer me advice.

Now that I’m standing outside Malia’s door, though, I’m wondering if I should have run my plan for tonight past my friends.

Too late now.

I raise my hand and knock on the door, trying to calm my heart rate as I wait for Malia to answer it. I’ve just about managed to steady my heartbeat when the door swings open, and Malia smiles up at me, sending my heartbeat erratic once more.

“Wow,” I whisper under my breath, taking in her dark skinny jeans and form-fitting blouse. I told her to dress casually, and of course, she nailed it while still looking absolutely gorgeous.

A blush creeps up her neck and spreads into her cheeks. It’s adorable and makes her freckles pop out.

“This old thing?” she says as she steps out into the hallway next to me. Malia spins in a circle, giving me a brief glimpse of her round, juicy ass. Everything about her is absolute perfection.

“You look gorgeous, angel.” Her blue eyes sparkle at my name for her, and I love that she loves it.

“Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

She takes my hand as we start walking back down the hall toward the stairs.

“Mind if we take the elevator this time?” She asks, and I glance down at her shoes, which are cute but look a little tight.

“Of course.”

I hit the button, and I can feel the sexual tension between us grow as we realize that we’re alone. That feeling only grows as we step into the empty elevator. The doors slowly close, and I try to take a deep breath. All I can smell is Malia’s sweet scent, and it has my body reacting.

I want to take her in my arms, press her against the wall and ravage her mouth with mine. I want to feel all of her sweet curves molded against the hard planes of my body. I want to hear her moaning and begging me to give her more.

I blink, and the elevator doors open. Malia reacts first, tugging on my hand, leading me out of the elevator and toward the front doors. I take over once we get outside and lead her to my Camaro.

“I’m surprised,” Malia says as I open the door for her.

“By what?”

“The fact that you haven’t talked about your car for as long as I’ve known you,” she says as I watch her slide in.

“Well, it’s a 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro in Le Mans Blue.”

“Ohh,” she says, pretending to look impressed.

I laugh as I close the door and head to the driver’s side. I climb behind the wheel, and she grins at me.

“Do you like older cars then?” she asks as I pull out of the parking lot.

“Sure. This one used to be my grandfather’s. He bought it new and took good care of it. He willed it to me when he passed away a few years ago. I used to help him fix it up.”

“That must have been nice. You’re lucky that you were so close to him.”

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