Chapter 6

SIX

Hendrix

I stand outside Evie’s apartment, clutching the bouquet of sunflowers in my hand, feeling like an idiot. Not because I’m here, but because of how much I want to be here, and how much I care that today goes perfectly. My heart thuds harder than it has any right to, considering this is just a Saturday. Just another weekend day. But I know it’s not just Saturday. Not anymore.

Today, I’m making my move. I’m sick of her thinking that this is all fake or pretend. It’s time that I tell Evie how I really feel about her.

I take a deep breath and knock on her door. As I wait, the nervous energy in me buzzes like a live wire. I’m not used to feeling like this, not used to having someone get under my skin this way, but that’s exactly what she does to me whenever she’s close, whenever I see her, whenever I think about her. Every. Damn. Time.

The door swings open, and there she is, standing in front of me like she’s always belonged there. Her dress flows around her hips, soft and light, and her hair tumbles over her shoulders in loose waves. For a second, I just stare. How can I not? She’s mesmerizing, breathtaking.

Her eyes land on the flowers, and she smiles. That teasing smile she always gives me, the one that somehow manages to undo me every time.

“Are those for me?” she asks, her tone light and playful, but I see the way her cheeks flush pink as she eyes the bouquet.

I clear my throat, suddenly feeling awkward, but I push through. “Yeah. Thought you might like them.”

Her smile softens, and something warm stirs in my chest when she takes the flowers, burying her nose in them for a moment. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”

She looks up at me, and for a split second, everything feels right. All the second-guessing, the overthinking, it all fades away when she smiles at me like that.

“You ready to go?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

She nods, locking the door behind her. As we head toward my truck, I can’t help but feel that familiar rush. She’s here with me, and today, I’m going to make sure she knows exactly how much I want her. No more pretending. No more holding back.

The drive to the park is quiet, but comfortable. I hold her hand the whole way, and she doesn’t stop me.

“What’s the plan?” she asks as we park, and I turn to her.

“It’s nice out today. I thought that we could go for a walk around here. There’s supposed to be a farmer’s market setting up over there,” I say, pointing to where people are parking and setting up tents.

“Sounds good!” Evie says as she unbuckles, and I hurry to climb out and head around to open her door for her.

We walk along the trail that circles the town park, the cool breeze rustling the trees as we go. I listen as she talks, telling me about the weather and how it compares to Wolf Valley, her old friends. The conversation shifts as we head around towards the farmers market, and I smile as she tells me about a book that she was finally able to grab. I make note of the title and add it to my list.

“I would have ordered it for you if you had mentioned it,” I tell her, and she smiles.

“No need. I grabbed it from the bookstore in town. “

I’ve never been one for long conversations, but with her? I could listen all day.

We head over to the farmers market, and I hold her hand, staying close to her side as she browses at each and every stand. She makes easy conversation with the vendors, and I watch her, amazed that she can do that. I’ve never had that skill, never really wanted it. Evie makes it look so easy, and I smile, squeezing her hand as we head to the next tent.

“Jam! Should we get some?” she asks, and my heart kicks hard in my chest as she says we.

“Sure.”

I let her pick out some, paying before she can try. She glares playfully at me as I take the bag and grab her hand again.

By the time that we head back to the truck, I’m loaded down with bags, and the sun is starting to dip low in the sky, casting a golden glow over everything. I don’t want the day to end, but I know I have to take her home. I’ve been holding myself back all day, trying to play it cool, but the tension between us has only grown stronger with each sidelong glance, each squeeze of her hand in mine.

“I should probably be getting home,” she sighs as I help her into the passenger seat.

“Let me feed you first.”

“What did you have in mind?” she asks with a grin, and I smile.

“How about that Mexican place a few streets over?”

“Ohh! Yes, that sounds perfect.”

We head over to the restaurant, and I park right out front. I’ll never tell her, but I don’t really care for Mexican food. I’m more of a steak and potatoes guy, but Evie loves it. That’s why for the past nine months, I’ve been eating tacos every Tuesday for lunch.

“This place has the best queso!” she says as we head inside.

I watch as she skips up to the counter and scans the menu.

“I get to pay,” she tells me, and I snort.

“Not a chance.”

She rolls her eyes and I know that she’s being sneaky by subtly pulling out her wallet. I notice everything about Evie, though, so I spot the movement and reach over, shoving her wallet back into her purse.

She glares up at me, but I can see the playful spark there. I just smile down at her.

“What can I get you?” The teenager behind the counter asks, and I nudge Evie aside, ordering for both of us.

I pay before she can try anything and then follow her over to a booth.

“Thanks for dinner,” she says, and I nod.

“Anytime,” we say at the same time, and she giggles.

“Am I that predictable?” I grumble, and she laughs harder.

“Yeah. Whenever I say thank you to you, you always say anytime.”

Her voice drops lower as she tries to mimic me, and I smile as she laughs at her attempt. Our food is dropped off a moment later, and we both dig in.

I do my best to not react as Evie moans at the flavors, but it’s hard. My cock hardens in my jeans, and I’m just so thankful that there’s a table covering that area from view.

We make small talk over dinner. Well, she does. I listen, hanging on her every word. By the time that we’re done eating, I’m full and dreading dropping her off at her place. I don’t want tonight to end, but I don’t know how to prolong it.

I pull up to her apartment and park, the hum of the truck’s engine the only sound between us for a moment. She unbuckles her seatbelt and turns to me, her smile soft but full of something unspoken. Something that’s been building all day.

“Thanks for today, Hendrix. I had a really nice time,” she says.

“Anytime.”

She smiles, and I climb out, grabbing the bags and following her up to her door. She turns back to me, her mouth opening to say something, and my heart races in my chest.

This is it. This is my chance to tell her how I feel.

Before either of us can talk, though, a loud, unmistakable moan echoes from somewhere close by, breaking the moment and causing both of us to blush. I freeze, my hands tightening on the bags as another round of enthusiastic, very public moans reach my ears.

Evie’s face turns bright red as she stares at the apartment next door in horror. “Oh my God…”

I clench my jaw, the tension in my body shifting from anticipation to frustration. There’s no way I’m leaving her here with that going on. The idea of her going inside alone, hearing her neighbors having the time of their lives while I drive away? Hell no. Not tonight.

“Uh, does this… happen often?” I ask, my face heating as another loud moan pierces the quiet between us.

“More than I’d like,” she grumbles.

Then she sighs, turning to me and reaching for the bags.

“It’s okay. It usually doesn’t last that long,” she tries to assure me, and I grit my teeth.

“You want to come back to my place?” I blurt out before I can stop myself.

My voice is rougher than I intended, but I can’t help it. The thought of ending the day like this, leaving her here…it’s not happening. Not tonight.

Evie’s eyes widen, and for a second, I think I’ve crossed a line. But then she nods, quickly glancing back at the building before looking at me again.

“Yeah. I don’t think I can handle listening to that tonight,” she says, her voice a little shaky, but there’s relief in her eyes.

I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding, and without another word, I turn and motion for her to lead the way back to my truck.

I can’t help but watch her as we head back to my truck, and she climbs inside. I set the bags in the back again and then climb behind the wheel. When I glance over at her, she’s smiling, and I take that as a good sign as I shift the truck into gear and pull away from her building. The drive back to my place is quieter than before, but the tension between us has changed. It’s heavier now, more charged, and I can feel it in every glance, every accidental brush of her arm against mine.

When we pull up to my house, the sun has nearly set, and the sky is painted in shades of pink and orange. I park in the driveway and get out, circling around to open her door. The air feels thick as I guide her inside, my hand resting lightly on her lower back.

She’s here all of the time for work, but tonight feels different. Maybe because this is a date and not work-related. Maybe because I know that we’re both still thinking about her neighbors having loud sex.

“Wanna watch a movie or something?” I ask, trying to keep things casual, even though my heart is racing.

Evie nods, glancing around as she sits on the couch. I see her shiver and I move to build us a fire to warm up.

“Yeah, sure. That sounds good.”

I light the fire and then grab the remote, scanning through the options, but I’m not really paying attention. All I can think about is her sitting next to me, so close but not quite touching. I start the movie, settling into the seat beside her, and for a few minutes, we both just sit there, watching the screen. But the air between us feels like it’s vibrating with the unspoken tension.

I can feel her relaxing beside me, her shoulder brushing against mine, and before I know it, I slide my arm around her, pulling her closer. She leans into me without hesitation, her body soft and warm against mine. It feels right, like this is exactly where she’s supposed to be.

As the movie plays on, I catch myself barely watching it, my mind too focused on her. The way her breath catches when I shift slightly, the way her fingers brush against my leg as she adjusts her position. I glance down at her, and she tilts her head up, meeting my gaze.

For a moment, we just stare at each other. The tension, the heat, the want , it’s all there, simmering between us. My hand moves before I can stop it, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. Her lips part slightly, and I can’t take it anymore.

I lean in, and the second our lips meet, it’s like everything falls into place. The kiss starts slow, and tentative, but it doesn’t stay that way for long. The moment I feel her responding, feel her pressing closer to me, everything I’ve been holding back comes rushing out.

I pull her tighter against me, deepening the kiss as my hands find her waist, her hips, memorizing the feel of her. She’s soft, warm, and everything I’ve wanted for so long. She kisses me back with the same intensity, her fingers tangling in my shirt, pulling me even closer, like she’s worried that I’ll try to get away.

As if that would ever happen.

The movie is forgotten, the rest of the world is forgotten. It’s just me and her, wrapped up in each other, and for the first time, I let myself believe that this could be real. That she could want this as much as I do.

She moves to straddle my legs, and I help her, both of us groaning as she presses down on my aching cock.

“Hendrix,” she moans, and I swear that I almost come in my jeans.

Her lips land back on mine, and my fingers tighten on her hips as we start to grind together. I’m so close to the edge already and we’re both fully clothed.

As if she can read my mind, her hands move, and she starts to rectify that.