He felt it too. I knew it. And that changed everything.
"Hello, Mr. Kline. How are you feeling today?"
I swear the man made a sound that sounded something like 'harrumph.' He was basically the bad guy in an old time movie. I smiled at him, all the same.
Nothing was going to bring me down today.
I felt my phone vibrate in my hip and smiled. I knew it was Trent. He and I were playing a little game of phone tag the past few days. Ever since he came to see me.
He texted me good morning every single morning.
And he texted me goodnight.
He also sent pictures of his dogs. I had no idea he had so many dogs. They were all rescues that he had taken in. He called the pictures 'dolfies' or 'dog selfies.' They often featured dogs wearing sunglasses, or sitting on Trent's head.
It was freaking adorable.
It was making me fall for him.
Well, it was making me fall for him faster.
I almost wished he would stop being so amazing. Just so I could catch my breath, take my time with these crazy new feelings.
Almost. But not quite.
Mr. Kline was quiet today. He didn't try and urinate on me, or spit. And he actually took his meds. I made a note to check all his vitals hourly. If he wasn't spunky today, that might be a sign of trouble.
It also might be a sign that he was doing better. I hoped the latter was true, even if he was a mean old bastard. Everyone deserved as much life and good health as they could get. I truly believed that. It gave my job even more meaning.
The mid-day shift started and I reviewed patient status with Kelly. She teased me a bit about the dopey smile on my face. Even she had no idea what was the cause of my good mood. I hadn't told a soul what had happened. What was happening.
I was grinning because tonight, I got to see Trent. In person this time. Not just a picture.
After this my shift was over. I would go home, shower, take a nap, and when I woke up it would be time for our date.
I wasn't going to lie. I was looking forward to it.
I was looking forward to it a lot.
Chapter Thirteen Trent
I could not stop tapping my foot on the ride over to Lexi's. I had thought of everything. I had made sure Lexi didn't have to work. I had made sure Jan could stay the weekend and take care of my girls.
I had the plane. I had the hotel room. I had even packed a suitcase with clothes in what I hoped were Lexi's size.
She had no idea what was in store for her.
I grinned, imaging her face when she realized where my favorite restaurant was.
It wasn't in LA.
"We're here sir."
I thanked the driver and got out. Before I even got to the front door it opened, revealing a very young, very pretty girl. She looked so much like Lexi that it took my breath away for a moment. That's before I noticed something strange about her eyes.
They lacked something. A sparkle. Focus.
"Who are you?"
Her speech was slightly stilted, as if she had trouble putting a sentence together. She almost sounded foreign. She also did not seem all that happy to see me.
I smiled.
"I'm Trent. I'm here to pick up Lexi."
The girl tilted her head to the side.
"I'm Char."
"It is very nice to meet you."
She smiled suddenly and I saw her sister in her again. Then she shut the door in my face.
Again, not unlike her sister.
The door opened in less than a minute. Lexi stood there, looking slightly horrified.
"Trent! Sorry about that."
"It's fine."
And it was. I could not stop grinning. Lexi was wearing stripy high heel sandals. And a dress. A slinky, sexy, clinging to her curves kind of dress.
All the times I'd admired her looks, I'd thought she was beautiful in a sweet and innocent way. I was wrong. Really, really wrong.
Lexi was a fucking knockout. A ten. No. She was a twenty. Gorgeous face. Stunning eyes. Luscious hair. A body that would stop traffic. And I already knew what a good heart she had.
She was, quite literally, the perfect woman.
I forced myself to calm down and sound normal. Like I wasn't ready to jump her bones the second I got her in the limo. Hell, I was ready to jump her on the doorstep.
"You ready?"
She nodded.
"Let's go."
The driver opened the door for us. I slid in behind her, watching as she buckled herself in. I smiled. Nobody did that. I'd literally never seen anyone use a seatbelt in a limo.
Except my girl.
And she would be mine if I had my way. Not just for a night or a weekend. Not even just for a year. I was thinking much longer term than that. The thought of not seeing her beautiful face was fucking terrible. I couldn't imagine not getting to feel this way. When I was around her, the world was fucking right.
That's when I knew.
I was keeping her dammit.
"Do you have your ID? I don't want you to get carded."
She rolled her eyes, patting her tiny little purse.
"I have it."
"Good. Now just one more thing..."
I held up a blindfold. Nothing kinky. The kind you wore to sleep in. It was silk. I didn't want her to be uncomfortable.
"Are you serious?"