Virtuous(7)

“No, I wasn’t.” I smile at her flustered state. “Not yet, anyway. I thought we could begin with dinner and go from there.”

“As long as ‘going from there’ doesn’t involve a bedroom, I’d consider having dinner with you.”

I’m far more relieved than I should be to know I’ll get to see her again. “I promise there’ll be no mention of bedrooms.”

“Or sofas or backseats or any other horizontal surfaces.”

“You forgot walls, stairwells and shower stalls. I do some of my best work vertically.”

Her eyes widen and her mouth forms an adorable O that makes me want her fiercely. “You’re rather experienced at these things.”

“It’s more about imagination than experience.”

“I, um, I should go and let you get back to work.”

I want to kick myself for taking our flirtation a step too far and unsettling her to the point that she wants to get away from me. “I apologize for being forward. I was only teasing. You have my word I’ll behave as a perfect gentleman while in your presence, and I’d be extremely honored if you would have dinner with me tonight.”

“You… you’d be honored.”

“That’s what I said.”

“Why?” She seems genuinely curious. “You could go out with any woman in the world. Why me? My dog bit you, made you bleed. I’d think you’d be furious with me, not asking me out.”

Does she not have the first clue how adorable she is? “Why not you? I told you. It’s just a scratch. I’ve already forgiven Fluff.”

At the sound of her name, Fluff bares her teeth at me.

“That’s nice of you. I haven’t forgiven her yet.”

“Could I have your address?” I withdraw my phone from my coat pocket so I can type it in as she hesitantly shares the information. “How about your phone number so I can call you if I’m running late?”

The area code is one I don’t recognize, so I assume it’s a Nebraska phone number. “Got it.” I stand, reluctantly. “I’ll text you so you’ll have my number if you need to reach me.” I wish I had nowhere to be on this cold-ass day. I’d like to spend more time with her. “Sorry to drink and run.”

“Thank you for the coffee.”

I don’t mention that she should be thanking Cleo, who wouldn’t accept payment for either drink. “I’ll pick you up at seven?”

She rolls her plump bottom lip between her teeth. I’m instantly hard and grateful for the coat that covers the evidence of my arousal. Nodding, she says, “What should I wear?”

I think about that for a second. “A dress. Maybe a black dress. You’re a New Yorker now. I assume you have a black dress?”

“I have a black dress,” she says with a small, shy smile.

“Excellent. I’ll see you soon. Fluff, it’s been a pleasure. Take good care of your mom and behave on the way home.”

Fluff again bares her tiny—and very sharp—teeth and growls.

“I’m so sorry. I don’t know why she’s behaving this way. It’s not like her.”

I wink at Natalie. “Not to worry. At least she didn’t ask me for an autograph.”

I leave her laughing, pleased with myself and with her and looking forward to this evening with far too much anticipation as I jog back to the park and Hayden’s wrath, sending the text I promised her on the way.

He’s pacing the length of the playground when I return. “What the f*ck, Flynn? Are you all done seeing to your personal agenda? Can we get back to work?”

I ignore the first two questions. “Yep.”

“What’s the deal with the girl?”

“No deal.” It’s none of his f*cking business, but unfortunately, he’s known me forever and can tell I’m lying to his face.

“Dude… Seriously? She’s an infant. You’ve got no business dragging a sweet girl like that into your world.”

The sad part is, he’s totally right. There’s no place at all for a nice girl like Natalie in my world. No place at all. But I’m fascinated nonetheless and counting the hours until I can see her again.





Chapter 3





Flynn Godfrey asked me to dinner. The sentence runs through my mind over and over and over again on the walk home. I’ve put Fluff down to walk because my arms are aching from holding her for so long. She’s got a new pep to her step, probably because she thinks she’s succeeded in running off Flynn.