As they continued to walk, she softened even more against him and then—he grinned to himself—she wrapped her own arm around his back, feigning a shiver in attempt to make him think her actions were based more on being cold than wanting to get closer to him.
When they reached the stairs to her apartment building, he released her.
“I’ll be here Saturday at six,” he said.
She tilted her head. “You know I haven’t said yes to that date yet, right?”
“So say yes.”
“What if I say no?”
Porter cupped her cheek with one hand. “I’m still gonna be here at six.”
“I’m not sure this is such a good idea. I like that we’re friends. This might screw that up.”
“It’s not going to screw anything up,” he countered.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Addie,” he started.
“I’m just saying…my dating track record sucks lately. Maybe I’m jinxed.”
“Yeah, right.”
“Seriously, Porter. I’m starting to think I was meant to live my life with cats. Or maybe consider lesbianism. Or…move to St. Louis.”
He honed in on that last option, his eyes narrowing. Her ex had moved to St. Louis. He didn’t realize she might still be harboring some feelings for the man. Rather than acknowledge her words, he dodged the subject. “You done saying stupid shit?”
She laughed, but he wasn’t joking. How the hell couldn’t she see her recent dating issues weren’t her fault?
She was made to be a girlfriend.
His girlfriend.
Her problem was she’d been dating idiots—jerks who acted like immature, horny teenage boys—who didn’t have a clue how to be grown-ass men, let alone boyfriends.
But he could see in her eyes, she wasn’t going to be swayed by words. Porter had been around the block enough times to know that sometimes actions spoke louder than words.
This was one of those times.
Bending closer, he pressed his lips to hers, finally giving in to the desire to kiss her. He’d imagined this moment more times than he cared to admit.
It was apparent Adele had as well. She was ready for him, her arms slowly looping around his shoulders, her lips parting to allow him a taste.
Time stood still.
He’d heard that expression plenty of times in his life, but he’d never experienced it, never felt it happen to him.
He took her waist in his hands, pulling her closer, as close as he could get her, wanting to feel every part of her pressed up against him, wanting her to feel exactly what kind of an impact their kiss had on him.
Adele pulled away first, not because she wanted to stop but to breathe in some much-needed air.
Regardless, he wasn’t finished. Not by a long shot.
Porter ran his lips over the soft skin of her cheek, cold from the chilly night air. Then he nuzzled his nose against her neck, nipped at her earlobe. His cock had been at half-mast ever since he’d walked into the restaurant tonight and seen her standing behind the counter.
Now, it was thick, throbbing, hard. Leaving here tonight was going to be one of the hardest things he’d ever do, but he was going to. While he knew what he wanted from Adele, knew exactly where he intended for this thing between them to lead, she was struggling to catch up, to believe it.
More than that, there were still things—those secrets—they needed to talk about before he took her to his bed.
Secrets he was going to make damn sure she understood didn’t change anything between them.
“You got a date for the holiday social?” he murmured against her neck.
Maris hosted a huge celebration the week before Christmas each year that was attended by everybody in town.
“No,” she whispered.
“You do now.”
She laughed softly. “Don’t you want to see how the first date goes?”
“So you’re saying yes to the date?”
Adele was adorable as she huffed, well aware he’d tricked her into agreeing to go out with him. “Dammit. I guess so.”
He lifted his head and captured her gaze. “Good.”
Frown lines marred her forehead and he wondered what was going through her head. There was no denying she was as turned on by the kiss they’d just shared as he was.
For a second, he thought she was going to refuse his invitation. Then, mercifully, she simply shrugged and said, “We can wait to decide about the holiday social until after Saturday.”
Porter started to insist, but he decided to pull back for now. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind Adele was going to be on his arm at that social, but he had a couple weeks to convince her.
“So…I guess I’ll see you Saturday,” she said, taking a step away from him.
He missed the heat from her body the second she was gone, but he didn’t seek to pull her in his arms again because he knew if he did, he wouldn’t let her go.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Thursday night’s dinner special is my favorite. Big fan of y’all’s ribs,” he said, knowing there was no way he was going to last three days without seeing her. Besides, if Macie was still sick, Adele would be closing up the restaurant again, and he wasn’t going to let her do that alone.
Adele shook her head, though she was grinning. “Okay. Tomorrow. For ribs.”
He waited as she’d let herself into her building, then he stood there a moment longer, until he saw her turn on the light in her living room and he knew she was in for the night.
Porter started back to the restaurant where his truck was parked, fighting like the devil not to turn around.
Now that he’d turned the corner, he had a much clearer view of what lay ahead.
And it looked damn fine.
He’d just climbed into his truck when his phone pinged, a text lighting up the screen.
Thanks for helping me with Nick.
Porter sat there and stared at the screen a second, delighted by Adele’s text.
You’re welcome, he replied after a moment. And then…because he couldn’t resist, he added the word, girlfriend.
He chuckled when she sent back the eye-rolling emoji along with Good night, PORTER.
She’d capped his name, as if that belied the fact he was indeed her boyfriend.
If Porter had his way, starting Saturday, this would be the last time he’d have to text the words, Night, Addie. Sleep well, rather than whispering them to her as he tucked his pretty little redhead against his chest, falling asleep with her in his arms.
Chapter Three
“Cruisers is hopping tonight,” Adele said as she and Porter walked into the crowded bar.
Porter raised his hand, pointing toward a spot near the back. “I think I see an empty booth over there. Come on.”
“God bless your height. I can’t even see the booths, thanks to all these damn people.”
Porter chuckled, then grasped her hand, leading the way. Thanks to not only his height but his width, he was able to cut a swath through the crowd so she didn’t get crushed.
They sat down just as the waitress finished wiping off the table. “Good timing, Port,” Belinda, the waitress said. “Last group just left. What can I get y’all?”
Porter looked at her. “Couple of PBRs sound good?”