Page 33 of Restless Ink
“She’s great, and I’m glad she’s getting out more, you know?” Thea rocked from foot to foot. “It is weird that I just asked you to my place? Shouldn’t we do our date tomorrow like we talked about and just…I don’t know…part ways tonight?”
She practically whispered the last part, and he held back a curse. He didn’t want her to feel like she was doing something wrong or that they were rushing, but he also didn’t want them to second guess every part of whatever this was between them because they were worried about all the ties that bound them together.
He set down his guitar case next to them, ignoring the others milling about, and leaned down to cup her face.
“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. All you mentioned was kissing thanks to the Giles effect or whatever the hell you called it. Remind me to watchBuffywith you at some point so I can actually understand the reference.”
Her lips quirked in a smile, exactly like he’d intended.
“I know we had plans for a tentative date tomorrow thanks to Captain and my grading, and we can still do that. Or we can take the time we have now if you still want to and maybe have a drink at your place. I only say your place because you’re not only most comfortable there and you suggested it, but it’s also bigger than my shoebox apartment that still smells like the old tenant.”
She leaned into his hand, and he smiled, loving the way she didn’t shy from his touch in public—or anywhere for that matter. They were still so new to this, still trying to figure out what they were to each other and how they could make it work—whateveritwas—but this was a step. It had to be.
“I guess we can do a mini-date tonight. I have to work tomorrow, and one of my staff thought she might have to stay home tomorrow anyway if her kid doesn’t get over his cold. Babysitter issues or something. That means I’ll have to work a double on Saturday. Which is fine, but it’s not the easiest thing. If that’s the case, I’d have to cancel anyway.”
“That sucks that your staff member’s kid is sick. But you’re a good boss in that you understand.”
“I have to be. I trust my people with my dreams and livelihood, and that means they need to be able to rely on me, as well. But thatalsomeans while I try to schedule breaks for myself, sometimes I don’t get to choose when I work. I have to be everything, you know? But Colorado Icing is my baby, and I’m okay with that.”
He kissed her temple, then leaned down to pick up his guitar. “I get it. I put my students before almost everything in my life except maybe Captain. Most of my weekends are spent on lesson plans and grading and learning the new program the state dumped on us last-minute. The only reason I’m out tonight is that I know I’ll spend all day tomorrow working on all that paperwork since Molly is taking Captain to some event.”
He rolled his eyes as he said it, and Thea blinked. “An event. With Captain?”
“Don’t get me started. But it’s some charity for a local shelter, and Captain will get love and attention, so I guess that’s okay. One of her fellow board members, Hoxton—yes, that’s his real name—is actually really good with Captain and will probably spend the whole day with him while Molly does whatever she does best and earns money for the committee. So, I’m okay with it. It just sucks.”
“I know. And I still hate that you don’t have much time with him.” She frowned. “Would it be weird if you hung out at my house sometime with him? That way, you can work if you need to, but you’re still with him? I don’t know how Molly would feel about that, but it’s not like it’s your fault the apartment doesn’t allow pets.”
He could have fallen to his knees right then in gratitude that she would even offer that. And when he said as much, she snorted.
“It’s for Captain. Not you. I love that dog.”
He thought it was a little bit about him, too, but he didn’t say so. “I love that dog, too. And I might just take you up on the offer since hiking is getting hard with all the snow storms we’ve been getting, and it’s only going to get worse after the new year.”
“Then let’s see if it works out.” She paused. “That’s what friends are for, right?”
He played with the ends of her dark hair. “And if I want to be more than friends?”
She looked up at him, so much emotion in her eyes, he could only understand a fraction of it, though he had a feeling they mirrored his own. “We can be both. Friends and…friends with what we’re trying. Right?”
He leaned down and touched his lips to hers, a bare whisper of what was to come, of what could be. “Right?”
And he had a feeling that no matter what happened between them, this friendship would be exactly what he needed.
What they needed.
No matter what.
Chapter 14
Dimitri sucked in a breath as Thea licked up and down his neck. This wasn’t like the first time, and it probably wouldn’t be like the next time. First, because there wasgoingto be a damn next time. Secondly, because he’d already had a taste.
Now, he’d get his next helping.
Then again.
And again.
And again.