CHAPTER 41: Adrian
722 Words
CHAPTER 41: Adrian
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If Adrian were a different kind of guy he’d be insulted. Ellie was leaning forward in her seat, purse and overnight bag, which she’d grabbed from the back seat, on her lap.
“Why are you driving so slow?” she asked.
“I thought you were going to jump out of the car.”
“What?” Her head snapped toward him. “Why would I do that?”
“I don’t know. You’ve got all your stuff. Your hand is on the door.” He shrugged. “I slowed down so you wouldn’t get hurt.” He winked at her because he knew it would make her crazy. “I’m a nice guy like that. Always thinking of you.”
“Yeah, you’re a prince.”
“Thank you.” He sat up straighter. “I think so.”
“You...” She took a deep calming breath and then said, “I’m not jumping out of a moving vehicle so you can put your foot down on the gas pedal. I swear that old man with the walker is going to pass us.”
“I’m not going that slow.” He had slowed down but it was because they were in a subdivision, not because he was dreading the end of this odd but amusing journey.
The guy with the walker moved closer. He was almost to the back bumper.
Okay, maybe he should step on it a bit. He pushed his foot down a little for another few yards before turning into the driveway of a very nice house. He hadn’t thought about it, but he wasn’t surprised that Ellie came from an upper middle-class family. She was the type—hard working but not afraid to spend money on clothes, purses, etc.
He on the other hand was just learning to do that. He’d grown up middle class, sometimes lower middle class, depending on what life had thrown their way. Yet they’d always had everything they’d needed, and he and his sisters had learned at a young age to work for what they wanted. He put the car in park.
“Don’t turn it off.” She said quickly as she jumped out the door.
“You sure you don’t want me to come in and say howdy to Mom and Pops.” He couldn’t wait to see her bristle like a baby badger—ferocious but so f*****g cute.
“No. I mean, yes, I’m sure.” She glanced at the door to the house before leaning back into the car. “Thank you. I mean it. For everything.”
Her cheeks flushed a little, but he wasn’t sure if it was from the cold or the memories of last night. He knew those memories sure made him hot...and hard.
“You’re welcome. Anytime.” He grinned. “I mean that. Anytime you want to take out some frustration and go for a ride...I’m available.”
“I appreciate that, but it won’t happen again.”
“I think you’re wrong.” He’d do everything he could to make sure she was wrong about that. “I don’t think fate is done with us yet.”
“Please.” She scoffed. “This had nothing to do with fate and everything to do with my asshole ex.”
“I can’t argue with that.” He was too glad she was still referring to the jerk as an ex to argue. “Seriously though, I could give you a call when I come back into town. We could go to dinner or—”
“No. I can’t. Goodbye, Adrian and thanks.” She turned and started to shut the door.
“Wait.”
She hesitated.
“Don’t forget your present.” He held out the toy from La Petite Mort Club.
“I’m not taking that.” She looked at him like he was handing her a dead puppy.
“You sure?” He did his best to not smile. “You might need it for your frustrations. You know, since we’re done and all.”
“Yes, I’m positive,” she almost hissed before slamming the door and striding toward the house.
He was going to wait to make sure she got inside because he was a gentleman and because he enjoyed watching those hips sway and that ass jiggle. She spun around when she was a few feet from the house, waving him away. He pretended not to understand and waved back, loving how her face pinched up with annoyance. She flipped her hand in a “get out of here” gesture and mouthed, go away.
He laughed and glanced down to put the car in reverse. “s**t. She forgot her phone.” He rolled down the window. “Ellie. Wait.”
“No.” She kept walking toward the door.
“Seriously. Stop.” He got out of the car, her phone in his hand.
- Writer
