“And you’re very good at sex,” she added, further astounding him.
His chest swelled a little. “Uh. Thanks. So are you.” He paused. “I really mean that.”
She laughed. “We do seem to be…er…compatible. In some ways.”
He studied her face. Earlier, when he’d noted their differences—her love of the city, him a country boy, her aversion to sports when he played one for a living—he’d wondered if maybe sleeping together was a bad idea. But sexual compatibility was important. Christ, he felt so damn good knowing he’d made her happy, made her feel good. Plus she liked Dimple’s Diner, liked to eat, and had a sense of humor. Maybe there were more ways they were compatible.
“What kind of music do you like to listen to?”
She blinked at him. “What? Music? Um…I like all kinds of music. Some pop, some rap, indie stuff…”
“Country?”
“Some. I’m not fond of twangy old country, but Luke Bryan is pretty hot.”
Duncan frowned, although he enjoyed Luke Bryan’s music. “Okay, good. Do you like to watch Duck Dynasty?”
“Duck what?”
“It’s a TV show. We’ll watch it sometime.”
“I don’t have much time to watch TV.”
“We’ll find time.”
She shook her head, smiling.
“Are you a morning person or a night person?”
“Morning person, definitely. Although I can stay up late sometimes if it’s worth it.” She winked at him and he chuckled.
“I guess this is worth it?”
“I won’t think so in…” She looked at the clock beside his bed. “Holy crap, I need to get up in three hours.”
“Jesus. At six? Why so early?”
“I go work out before classes.”
“Miss your workout tomorrow.”
She frowned. “I don’t like to miss a workout. It keeps me sane.”
“Another way we’re compatible. We’ll work out together. Right now you need sleep.”
She paused. “Are you going to take me back to get my car?”
“No.” At her frown he smiled and stroked her hair again. “I mean, yes. But in the morning. What time do you need to be at class?”
“Um, my first class tomorrow is at nine.”
“Okay. Sleep until seven-thirty, shower here, I’ll make you breakfast and drive you to get your car. You can go home and change and be at your class by nine. Then we’ll work out later in the day.”
“Wait. Wait.” She waved a hand. “You can’t make plans for me.”
“Hey, they’re negotiable. You want to shower at home?”
She frowned. “Well, yes. But—”
“When do you have time to work out?”
She sighed. “Okay, Tuesdays I’m done at noon. But I have my thesis project too. I usually spend the afternoon in the library working on it, if I’m not out doing research. And then I’m at the Sin Bin again tomorrow night at six.”
“Okay. You go to the library at noon and work until…three. I’ll pick you up, we’ll go work out and have something to eat and I’ll take you to work.”
“How will I get home after work?”
“Ah! Even better. We’ll just leave your car there today. I’ll take you home and then to school.”
She gazed at him with a perplexed expression. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I like you.” He kissed her nose, then her mouth, then reached over and turned off the light. “Now go to sleep.”
Chapter 11
“Are you sure you have time to be driving me all over?” Amber looked at Duncan across his big island the next morning through bleary eyes. “I don’t really like this.”
“Yes, I have time. Practice is at ten. I have a meeting with my agent about some endorsement stuff we’re working on, then the rest of my day is open. And what don’t you like?”
“I don’t like being dependent on someone else to drive me around. I like to make my own plans and decide where I’m going and when.” The idea that she would be at school with no car and dependent on him coming back made her stomach knot with anxiety. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
He frowned. “It’s not that big a deal. Are you afraid I won’t show up?”
Yes. “Of course not.” She poked at the scrambled eggs he’d served her. Usually she liked a healthy breakfast, but this morning she was so tired from only a few hours’ sleep and felt off balance because she wasn’t at home, not to mention uneasy about not having control of her day, so she didn’t seem to have much appetite.
“What’s wrong with the eggs?”
“Nothing. I’m sorry.” She looked down at her plate. “I don’t think I can do this.”
He moved closer and turned her on the stool so she faced him. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I did. I just don’t like relying on other people.”
His eyes searched her face. “Someone let you down.”
Her nose suddenly stung and a feeling of pressure rose behind her cheekbones like she was going to cry. Fuck! “It’s just the way I am.”
“Independent,” he murmured. “I like it.”
He seemed bemused by the idea that she was so self-reliant.