The waiter came back, and we hadn’t even taken a sip yet. Obviously, this wasn’t the place to have this conversation. I tossed a twenty on the table, grabbed her hand, and drove her home.
We were silent in the car, and it was killing me not to say anything, but luckily we were right around the corner from her place. I could wait a little.
She unlocked the door and walked over to sit on her couch, where I joined her.
“I’m just going to go for it here.” I shifted on the couch to face her. “You said I hardly know you, and you’re right. I want to rectify that more than I’ve wanted anything else. But let me tell you what I do know.”
Her fingers found the ends of her hair, and she began twirling. The sight of her nervous tic made me worry a little, but I plunged ahead.
“I know that when I look at you, I’m happy. When we kiss, my heart races, and when you smile, I smile. When you look sad, I feel it.” I took a breath. “Waking up with you this morning felt right. I’ve never felt this way before about anyone. No one has ever taken my breath away before, just you.” I glanced at her fingers. “We have a lot to learn about each other, but most couples do. There are so many things I want to know.”
“Like what?”
The timid note of her soft voice struck a chord in my chest.
“I want to know if fidgeting with your hair is a nervous habit you had as a kid, or did it develop over time? And I want to know why I feel so jealous of Mason.”
Her nose crinkled as she scrunched her brow. “You’re jealous of Mason?”
“Tremendously jealous. Do you know your face lights up every time you see him? I know you’re best friends, but I want that more than anything.”
“You want to be my best friend too?”
I stood and rubbed the back of my neck as I took a breath. “No, you’re not listening. I don’t just want to be your best friend; I want to be . . .” I wanted to say everything, but settled for saying, “Yours. Because in my heart, body, and soul, you’re already mine.”
Lucy sat quietly, and it didn’t escape me that she stopped fiddling with her hair the moment I mentioned it. I sat down again on the sofa and tried to relax against the back pillow as I turned to look at her.
She smiled and rested her head against the pillow, mirroring my pose. “Where should I start?”
“For one, I asked you on a date over an hour ago, and I’m still waiting for that answer.”
“Oh, sorry.” A cute giggle escaped her. “Yes. I’d love to be your date.”
“I’m glad.”
“As far as the rest of it, let’s just take it one day at a time. I like you a lot, Drake, and I’d love to be yours one day, but we need to take it slow. This is a big year for you, and you don’t need any distractions.”
“The only time I’m distracted is when I’m wondering what you’re doing or thinking. But I know what will help.”
“What’s that?”
“Knowing you aren’t dating anyone else.”
She shook her head with a small smile. “I’m not dating anyone else. I really haven’t dated anyone exclusively in years.”
“I hope you’ll allow me to change that.” I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her palm. “Ms. Washburn, will you date me and only me?”
She nodded and her smile rose, creating fine laugh lines beside her eyes. “Yes, Senator Prescott, I’d love to.”
Relief washed over me. “Please, call me Drake.” I knew she was kidding using my title, but I wanted to hear my name pass her lips.
Her body shifted as she brought my hand to her mouth and placed her soft lips on the back of it. “Drake.”
No woman had ever kissed my hand before, and there was something oddly seductive about it. The warmth of her lips as they pressed against my skin sent a shock wave up my arm.
Yes, I’d made the right choice. Lucy was perfect for me.
CHAPTER 9
Lucy