Lauren gave him a brilliant smile. “Yes, I’d love that.”
She stared out the window, humming just under her breath, as Hakim drove them to his house. Lauren couldn’t help but wonder if a drink was all that was being offered. As much as she hoped otherwise, given their situation, she’d understand if more wasn’t on the table.
Lauren didn’t wait for Hakim to open her door when he turned off the car, feeling at home. She walked in front of him into the house, and smiled when she heard the familiar sounds of paws padding across the wooden floors.
“Hi, Zeus! How are you, sweetheart?” Lauren called to the dog.
Zeus gave one happy bark and then bounced around Lauren, wiggling excitedly as she leaned down to pet him. Hakim laughed at the sight.
“Well, clearly, someone likes you,” he said just as Lauren looked up at him, smiling.
Lauren impulsively leaned over and kissed Hakim, not thinking, just wanted to feel his lips on hers. Instead of gently pushing her away, he leaned into the kiss. It wasn’t like their past kisses, which had been sweet, but ultimately chaste.
This time, she parted her lips and Hakim wrapped his hand around the back of her neck to pull her closer. Lauren shifted so she could press herself against him and she felt rather than heard the moan he made when their skin touched. The sound made something hot flare low in her body, and she pressed herself as close to him as she could.
Hakim stroked his hands over her skin, sending sparks of sensation all over her. Lauren wanted this, wanted him, and so she opened her mouth to his exploring tongue.
Coming up for air, Hakim took a moment to check in with her.
“Lauren, I want… I want you. Is that okay?”
She placed a hand on his cheek, wanting him even more. “I want you, too, Hakim. And I would very much like it if you would take me to bed right now.”
Hakim stood in one fluid motion, pulling her off the couch with him. Lauren grinned and tugged at his hand, knowing well the way to his bedroom even if she hadn’t been there with him before. She led him there, knowing exactly what it was that she wanted.
Chapter 18
Lauren
She woke up early again, but this time it was with a feeling of utter contentment and happiness. She looked at the man sleeping on the other side of the bed and couldn’t believe they were together. It was clear that they couldn’t stay away from each other, and Lauren was fine with that being the case.
She watched him sleep for a few minutes and thought about how she could get used to waking up like this every day.
Lauren rolled over quietly and picked up her phone, feeling the need to check in with work, just in case. She did have a text from Kayla, but all it said was: Everything’s still good. No more word from police. No media (yet). Hope the date went well!
Unable to stop grinning, Lauren thought, Oh yes, the date went very well.
She thought about waking Hakim up, but decided against it. If she did that, there was no telling how long they would be there and in spite of Kayla’s text, Lauren wanted to be visible in the office that morning. She hated to leave so early, but if she left now, she could make it home, shower and change, and still get into the office before everyone else.
She carefully climbed out of bed and quietly gathered her things while Hakim slept. She left a note on the kitchen counter telling him that she’d had a wonderful time and was headed into work (just in case), and said she’d call later. She put the note where he would be sure to find it and leaned down so that she could give Zeus a pat good morning.
On the drive home, Lauren still couldn’t stop grinning. It was a silly, sappy smile, she was sure, but it was a smile she was happy to be wearing. She briefly considered what their night of passion had meant for their deal of just one date, but Lauren was too blissful to dwell on such details. At that moment, it didn’t matter. They were good together, she was happy; those were the important things.
She was so distracted, she missed when the red light she was stopped at turned green. The driver behind her honked loudly and Lauren jerked her head up and realized the car was waiting on her. She stepped on the gas and gave the other driver a little wave to say sorry. The car turned right and Lauren was kind of glad she didn’t have to deal with the mortification of having that driver follow her all the way home. She glanced back again and noticed that while the car immediately behind her had turned, there was another car behind her as well and he didn’t appear to be going anywhere.
She sighed. Oh well, so everyone would know how distracted she was that morning.
It was totally worth it.
It didn’t take her long to shower and get ready for work, and she hummed a merry tune the whole time. Still ahead of schedule, she grabbed some coffee and filled a to-go mug then headed for her car. When she got there, Lauren realized she wasn’t sure if she had her phone, so she put the mug on top of the car while she fished in her large bag. It wasn’t in the side pocket, where it belonged, but then she found it in the bottom of her bag. She put it in the right place, unlocked the car, and reached for the mug.