“I’ll help you up,” he says before opening the door and lifting me by my waist.
Memories if how easily he carried me last night fill my head. His hands are always so warm. My nipples harden as I think of what their warmth felt like throughout the night.
I get nervous as it hits me, he’s taking me to my place. Brick is coming to my apartment. You have no idea how many times I’ve daydreamed of this happening.
“We’ll stop for something to eat after you change and we get your things,” he says with a smile as my stomach grumbles.
My entire face flushes. How embarrassing. I want to fall into a hole in the floor of the truck. That is until he reaches over and places a hand on my thigh once we’re out of the garage and on our way.
“We don’t have to stop. I’m sure I can find something in the apartment to grab,” I say, finally reconnecting with my body and brain.
“We’ll see,” he replies.
My belly has bigger problems than hunger as he circles his thumb against the skin on my thigh. Lord, help me. I might need two showers by the time we get to the apartment.
Oh, shit, Misty.
I have no idea what she will say about Brick showing up to the apartment with me. Maybe I should tell Brick we shouldn’t let on to anything when we arrive. If he’s half as attentive as he’s been this morning, she’ll have all kinds of questions.
The firm squeeze he places on my leg tells me that’s not going to happen. Lost Souls are alpha males. Telling them not to do something is like challenging them to do it.
My mind is consumed with what to say to Brick the whole ride to my place. When Brick parks the truck I turn to him and give a trembling smile. I feel so awkward.
“Brick—”
“Owen, darlin’,” he cuts me off giving me a sharp look.
I smile like a goofball and nod. “Owen, I won’t take long. You can stay here or if you want to get that breakfast—”
“I’m coming in with you,” he says, looking at his watch. “Let’s make it quick.”
He steps from the truck without another word and rounds it to open my door. I take a deep breath before taking his hand as he helps me out. You can’t say Lost Souls don’t have manners.
At least the ones raised directly by Cage do. Most of the time.
We make our way up to the apartment in silence. Owen with a protective hand on my back. He has no idea how much it’s working to calm me.
“You can have a seat in the living room if you like,” I offer as we step into my apartment.
He grunts in response, taking in the living room. I look around the space and wonder what he sees when he looks at it. The apartment is really nice—nothing but the best for King’s girls—but nothing like Owen’s place.
I tend to be the neat freak out of Misty and me. I’m somewhat relieved when I note the stillness of the place. Misty isn’t here. Some of my nervousness leaves. However, as King comes to mind, a chill runs through me. I’m going to have to deal with my actions soon enough.
“Can I get you anything?” I ask as I turn and look up at Owen.
He smiles down at me and reaches for my face. My toes curl in my shoes as he presses his lips to mine, then deepens the kiss. I twist my fingers into the lapels of his suit, grateful for the toothbrush he loaned me before we left his place.
He breaks the kiss and places his forehead to mine. “The clock is ticking. Shower and get ready and then you can pack some things,” he replies.
It takes me a second to collect my thoughts and comprehend what he just said. My mind races with a million thoughts. To think, one botched date and here I stand. Brick is in the middle of my apartment, kissing the sense out of me.
Dream ends in five… four… three…
“Come on, baby. Get moving,” Owen says with humor in his voice, snapping me from my musing.
This is no dream. I nod and head for my room to strip and get my things to shower. I look around and once again note Misty’s absence. I send her a quick text.
She could hardly leave the apartment as of yesterday. I start to become concerned. What if she had to go to urgent care or the hospital and I wasn’t here?
My phone chimes with a text.
Misty: Out for breakfast.
Me: With who?
Time ticks by as I wait for a reply. It dawns on me she’s not going to answer right away like she normally does. I twist my lips to the side and frown, but catching the time on my phone, I decide not to press. I need to shower and pack. I also need to get into the right state of mind for this interview.
That thought alone sends my nerves through the roof. Today is a big day. It’s the first step into my future.
A great internship will open so many doors. Although, I’m not even sure I want this one with this company. I plan to take it seriously because King set it up.
“Shape up, Eva,” I mutter to myself as I walk from my bedroom to the bathroom.
I peek down the hall to find Owen pacing the living room as he looks down at his phone. He looks up as if feeling my eyes on him and a smile spreads across his handsome face. My breath whooshes past my lips.
Yup, I change my mind. I must be dreaming.
Chapter 6
A Clearer View
Brick
I
