Chapter 12

Jayce

With a trembling fist, I knock on Anjal’s door where Shay is staying until I convince her to move in with me.

I wait nervously. It’s a new sensation based on my history with women. I’ve never had to woo anyone. It’s not my fault that they throw themselves at me. I only wished I’d been a stronger man and controlled my sexual urges more.

My heart pounds in my chest. And the bouquet of tulips I’m clutching seems to wilt in my hand.

This time, I won’t accept her closing the door on me.

Shay opens the door. I shove my foot in the frame.

With one glance at her, I regret my usual attire. I’m overdressed in my two-piece navy suit.

I fidget with the lapels of my jacket.

Shay stands before me in a casual, yet effortlessly captivating outfit—a pink crop top that bares a hint of sun kissed skin, part of the tattoo I’m dying to see in full, and a diamond belly ring, which taunts me. The faded cut-off blue jeans shorts are actually dressier than her sweats or sport shorts she normally wears.

Her long wavy strawberry blonde hair cascades around her shoulders in a tousled mane. She’s a wild, untamed beauty who’s stolen my heart.

Barefoot and carefree, she exudes confidence. Her green eyes sparkle with mischief and aggravation over my unexpected arrival.

Truthfully, she should’ve known I’d show up.

We gaze at each other, and for a moment, time stands still. The combination of sparks mixed with Shay’s stubborn resistance creates a palpable tension between us.

I offer her the wilted bouquet of tulips with my signature smile and wink combo.

Shay reaches for the tulips and brings them to her nose. I long for her to bury her nose in the nape of my neck until my scent consumes her senses.

“Thank you, Jayce.”

I smile. A thank you is further than I’ve ever gotten with her.

She returns the gesture. “Did you stop by just to bring me flowers?”

“I came to pick you up for our first date,” I say over the lump in my throat.

Fire burns in the back of her eyes. “Don’t you know anything about women? We need notice to prepare for a date.”

Her not kicking me out reignites my confidence. I lean in close enough to ensure she feels my breath on her skin. “I do know that. I also know that when a woman prepares for a date, she picks an outfit she believes her date will drool over. She’ll fix her hair in ways she wouldn’t otherwise wear it. Maybe even add extra layers of makeup, topping it off with the highest heels in her closest.

“I don’t want to take fake Shay out to dinner. I want to go with the real Shay.”

She gulps. “Like this? You can’t be serious. With you in your fancy suit.”

“What’s wrong with my suit? This is the real me.”

“Exactly, please let me find something more appropriate for a date with a man in a suit.”

I push the hair falling in her eyes away, so I can see her entire face. “Are you comfortable? Would you go out with Cill wearing that?”

“Well, yes.”

“I’ll never ask you to be anything other than who you are. Would it make you feel better if I changed?”

She slips her feet into the pink flip-flops next to the door after setting the flowers on the table in the entryway.

She sighs. “You can’t say romantic crap like that and think I’m going to turn around and ask you to be someone you’re not. Let’s go.”

We walk out of the labyrinth to where I keep my truck. The walk is silent until she takes off running toward my truck.

I laugh on my way to catch up to her before she can open her door. She attempts to shove my hand away from the handle, but I won’t budge. She puts her hands on her hips. With a pouty lip, she insists, “I’m perfectly capable of opening a door.”

“I know you are.”

“Then move.”

“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. I’ll never dishonor you just because you are capable.”

She tosses her hands up. “Fine.”

“Put that lip back in before I kiss it until it’s swollen and satisfied.”

I snap the seatbelt in place, making sure it’s not too snug across her chest. She doesn’t fight me, but her frustration is tangible. If she keeps it up, my lips will consume hers before the night ends.