Touch by touch, he’s captured my heart.
Tuesday morning, I had to force him to go home and shower and go to work. I missed him, but he texted and called often to check on me. That night, and every other night this week, he’s brought dinner to my place, but he’s not stayed again. I miss him more now than ever, and I’ve spent more time with him this week. Conrad Riggins is my weakness.
The bell chimes, and I look up to see him walking in. “Hey.” I smile.
“You look like you’re feeling better.”
“Much better. Grant already stopped in and took a box full of stuff to the office.”
“That’s fine. I’m not here for that anyway. I wanted to see you.”
His words have me melting on the inside. “That’s sweet of you. I really am feeling better.”
“Good enough to have dinner out with me tonight?”
I stare at him for a few heartbeats, and the look on his face tells me he might be hopeful, but he expects me to turn him down again. “Pick me up at six?” I ask.
His mouth falls open and closes a few times before a slow, sexy grin pulls at his lips. Bracing his hands on the counter, he leans over and presses his lips to mine. “I’ll see you at six,” he murmurs against my lips.
Pulling away, he walks backward until he reaches the door—his sexy grin on full display. “Have a great day, baby,” he says from the door. Everyone in the bakery stops to look at him and then me. He laughs before pushing out the door.
“What was that about?” Aurora asks. “And did I see him kiss you?”
“I’m not really sure, and yes, he kissed me.”
“And you let him?”
“We’re going on a date tonight.”
“What?” she shrieks. “You’re finally letting him in?”
“Looks like it.”
“That was him staking his claim,” she tells me.
“What are you talking about?”
“That little ‘have a great day, baby,’”—she deepens her voice to sound like him—“was him staking his claim on you.”
“That’s crazy,” I defend, but to be honest, it kind of seemed like it to me as well.
“You do realize that now you’ve said yes, he’s going to pull out all the stops, right?”
I nod. I do know this, and I’m okay with it. In fact, I’m looking forward to it. Fighting him made us both miserable. This week spending time with him has been incredible. I can’t wait to see what tonight holds.
At ten minutes until six, there’s a knock at my door. I expected him to be early, and thankfully, I’m ready. When I pull open the door, he’s standing with his hands over his head, braced on the frame. He’s wearing a pair of dark jeans and a long-sleeve black button-down. He’s sexy and looking at me like I hung the moon.
“Where’s your coat? You’re going to freeze to death.”
“Babe, it’s April in Tennessee. I’m not going to freeze to death.” Dropping his hands, he slides them around my waist and pulls me into him. “You take my breath away.”
“Am I dressed okay?” I’m wearing a long-sleeve black dress that hits just above my knee, with black knee-high boots.
“You’re perfect, Aspen.” His lips land on mine. It’s just a quick peck that leaves us both wanting more. “We need to go now. Because if we stand here a minute longer, I’m canceling our plans and taking you to bed.”
“I am tired,” I tease.
“Come on, funny girl.” He releases his hold on me.
“Let me grab my phone and my coat.” Turning, I grab my coat and my purse, double-checking that my phone is in my purse and that I have my house keys. “Ready.” I make sure to lock the apartment as well as the back-entry door. “So, where are we going?” I ask once we’re in his car and on the road.
“It’s a surprise,” he tells me.
“Are you really not going to tell me?” I ask.
“You’ll see. How are you feeling?” he asks, reaching over the console and resting his hand on my knee.
“Much better. I still have a lingering cough every now and then.”
“Good. I hate you being sick.”
We make small talk the rest of the short drive until we pull into the Gaylord Hotel. “You’re taking me to a hotel?”
“They have an incredible steakhouse, and the inside offers a lot of things to see and do. There’s shopping and a waterfall. We can even take a romantic boat ride.”
“In a hotel?”
“Yes, in a hotel. Stay put.” He climbs out of the car and rushes around to open my door. Hand in hand, we make our way inside and to the steakhouse. “Reservation for Riggins,” he tells the lady.
We’re seated at a back table, with low lighting, and it’s very romantic. “Wow, how did I not know about this place? It’s like an indoor village out there,” I say, referring to the interior of the hotel.
“It really is. This place attracts a lot of tourists. Then again, Nashville, in general, attracts a lot of tourists.” He laughs.
“It’s the music. I admit it’s a fun city to live in. That’s why you live downtown, right? To be in the center of the action?”
Something passes in his eyes. “Initially.” He doesn’t get the chance to say more as our waiter approaches. We both order sweet tea to drink and an appetizer. “You’re not drinking?” he asks.
“No. I’m still taking cold medicine, and I don’t want to mix the two. Besides, I want to remember this night. What about you?”
“I’m driving.”
“One glass of wine won’t hurt.”
“You’re right, but I would never put you in that situation.”
“A gentleman.”
“Only when it comes to you.” He winks.
“You’ve got me here. You don’t have to keep trying,” I tease him.
“This is me, Aspen. This is me with you. I’m not trying, just speaking the truth.”
I ignore him and the impact his words have deep inside. “What are you getting?” I ask, opening my menu.
“Steak.”
“What kind of steak?” I chuckle.
“I’m thinking the New York strip. You?” He glances at me over his menu.
“This barbecue chicken sounds good,” I say just as the waiter approaches. We place our order and fall into an easy conversation. That’s the thing with Conrad. It’s always easy. He’s easy to talk to, easy on the eyes, and easy to fall for. The only thing not easy about him is trying to push him away. I failed miserably at that.
“I’m stuffed,” I tell him as we exit the restaurant.
“You feel like walking around?”
“Definitely.” He takes my hand in his, and we begin to stroll. “I can’t believe I’ve lived here as long as I have and have never been here.”
“Over there.” He nods toward a waterfall. We head in that direction and take the steps. “We have to document this moment,” he says, pulling out his phone. He settles in behind me and presses his lips to my temple. “There.” He checks his phone and the picture he just took.