"I'll walk you up," he said in a hard, curt voice.
She waited for him to come around to her door. He helped her up and then pressed her against the vehicle.
"Will you go out with me again?"
Her eye widened, and her heart picked up speed. "Really?"
His mouth kicked up. "Yes, really."
"I have to work tomorrow again."
"I'll pick you up after work, and we'll go have breakfast again."
Larkin nodded and stared up at him. Her thoughts were scattered. She didn't understand why he wanted to be with her, but she was too afraid to ask.
"Let's get you in."
He took her into the building and up to the second floor. Then he stopped at her door.
"How did you know where I live?" she asked as she searched for her key in her pocket.
"I came here earlier when you ran from me."
She knew he had to have gotten her address from the man in his building, but she didn't say anything. A blush stained her skin. "Sorry. I didn't know what to do. I was freaked out."
"I understand that."
Her eyes slid closed when he cupped her chin in one hand and tilted her head up. He lightly pressed his lips to hers before taking a step back. It was one of the best feelings she'd ever had in her life. The smell, taste, and feel of him made her stomach tighten. What felt like desire hardened her nipples and dampened her panties.
"Good night, honey."
"Good night. Thank you for breakfast."
"You're very welcome."
Larkin turned and unlocked her door. She stepped inside and turned back to him. "Night."
He nodded. "Close the door. I want to hear it lock."
"All right." She shut the door and turned all the locks. She pressed her ear against the door and listened to his footsteps fade. An unexpected panic rose in her throat. What if he didn't come for her the next day? What if she never saw him again?
She rested her forehead against the cool door and closed her eyes. There was nothing she could do about it, so she had to let it go. She'd talk to Brylee when she woke up.
Larkin quickly took a shower to get the stench of cigar smoke out of her hair and dropped into bed. She rolled to her side and stared out the window. She couldn't get him out of her head long enough to fall asleep. If she was this way after one date, she couldn't imagine what she'd be like after two or three.
The pre-dawn started to lighten the sky when she finally gave in to sleep. She'd know in time what would happen. He would leave her. Everyone did. But she wasn't about to run before she had a chance to know him. Even if that was what her head was telling her to do. Her heart won that round.
Larkin started to get nervous. She couldn't get herself to calm down and concentrate. She'd messed up so many orders that night that she'd been pulled aside by the manager and asked if there was a problem. She replied that everything was fine and tried to get her head back on the job.
A feeling of panic rose steadily. It was about the end of the night, and she hadn't seen him yet. She reminded herself that the probability of him wanting to spend time with her was next to nil, but she'd been praying she'd be able to see him one more time, at least.
For the umpteenth time, she looked around the lounge and relaxed when she caught sight of Darian. He was talking to another man and having a drink. The knot in her stomach loosened enough that she was able to take a deep breath and calm down.
Her heart flipped in her chest when his gaze landed on her, and he smiled.
She smiled back and gave him a little wave before she returned to work.