Addison (The Mitchell/Healy Family #6)(17)

Addison was strong-willed, but I was determined. I hadn’t been interested in a woman since I’d had my heart broken. In fact, I hadn’t wanted to be involved with anyone. As soon as I couldn’t shake her from my thoughts I knew Addison was going to be a challenge – one I wouldn’t give up on. The more she denied me, the harder I would try. The chemistry was there. I just had to get her to admit it.

Don’t misconstrue my motives. I didn’t want to taint her beliefs. Fighting the urge to come on to her was getting to be a task. She was like a new drug, and I was dying to try it. I wanted to know her, everything, even what she feared the most.

I looked down at the books she’d brought with her. “You didn’t have to bring me the library.”

“You said you were bored. I figured that would give you something to do instead of bothering me when I’m trying to get work done.”

I snickered and put the books in the backseat. “You liked messaging me. I know you did.”

She wouldn’t reply. While she kept her eyes on the road, I moved my head to the side and kept watching her.

She smiled and glanced my way for a moment. “Oh my gosh, would you stop it? You’re such a weirdo.”

“I like the view. It’s nice. You look good in teal.”

“You think I look good in everything I’ve ever worn.”

“I bet you look even better naked.” I knew I was overstepping, but I was tired of holding back. I wanted to date this girl. I liked being around her and she knew it.

“You’re not ever going to find out.”

“Don’t make promises you know you won’t keep. You want me to take it one day at a time, fine. I’ll do that, but only after you admit you want me. I know you checked me out online.”

“No I didn’t.”

“You mentioned the amount of girls on my friend list.”

She was doing something with her mouth, perhaps to keep a straight face. I guess she didn’t think I’d notice how bad she began to blush. “I’m going to turn this car around and take you home.”

“As long as you come inside, I’m totally up for it,” I teased.

She was grinding her teeth. I could see the way her jaw was moving. I lightly grazed my hand over the smooth skin on her arm. “Tell me what you look for in a man.”

“Skinny. Glasses. I like my men to be short. I like nerds.”

Obviously she’d pick everything I wasn’t. I kept a straight face so she wouldn’t feel like she was getting to me. “That’s a shame. You’ve probably never experienced what it was like to be satisfied then. It’s a pity really. Guys like me have so much to offer.” It was hard to not laugh at my stipulation.

She pulled up to the gates of her family ranch and I almost asked her to turn around and take me back. Addison didn’t know how her parents would react if they knew who I was; where I came from, whose blood was running through my veins. “I don’t know what you have to offer, but we’re here, so you better be nice.”

“Here?” I played dumb, because if she sensed I knew all about her family she’d kick me out of the car and never talk to me again. “This is your family’s ranch, huh?”

“Yep. For as far as the eye can see. Behave, or I’ll bury you somewhere no one will be able to recover.” She giggled when she announced it. “I’m kidding. I’d totally have my brother, Noah do it.”

“Are we meeting parents today? I’m not really dressed to impress.”

“No. I’d warn you first. We’re going to spend the day at the library. I just need to grab a few books that are due.”

We pulled up to a huge home made of logs. It was situated between three sides of woods. Out front was a pasture and a few horses were munching on some long grass. It was exactly how I pictured her house to be. “Wow, this is nice.”

She stepped out of the car and leaned back in. “I’ll be just a second. Do me a favor, don’t touch anything, or get out. We have a very mean dog who is trained to attack strangers.”

I stayed in the car, not because I was afraid of a mutt, but because I really didn’t want to have to introduce myself to any of her family. Luckily Addison was quick. She came out carrying two more books and sat them in the backseat. When she climbed into the front she looked toward me. “Is there a problem?”

“Didn’t you bring me books?”

“Yeah. I own them. My sister got them for me. The ones I’m returning are for school. I have to write this stupid paper for my psychology course. I wasn’t allowed to base it on drug counseling, so it took a bit of research to complete. Do you have any other questions, or am I allowed to get going?”

“Did something happen to make you all snippy?”

“No. I’m being me. If you want to hang out, it will be on my terms.”

I waited until she was at the entrance to the ranch to put my two-cents in. “Look, I don’t know what happened when you went in that house, but I’d like the real Addison to come back and play. Now, if you want to go to the boring library I’m game, but I think we should return the books and spend the day doing something fun. It’s nice out. Come on. Live a little.”

She looked at me and then turned onto the main road. “What do you have in mind.”