OBSESSED

20

I didn't want to leave with him. I mean, I did, but this was not how things were supposed to go.

However, my fear of getting in trouble was infinitely higher so I placed my hand in his and let him lead me out of the locker room. Jarrod guided me out with a hand on my lower back, stopping only to grab my gym bag from the bike and throw it over his shoulder.

My heart flapped wildly at that simple gesture. He interpreted my needs without even needing to be asked. I would have been content to leave the whole bag behind, though my car keys were in it.

I kept my head down to block out Danny and prevent Jarrod from seeing the effect his thoughtful actions had on me.

Once we reached my car, I leaned against the hood and crossed my arms. I wasn't good at being stern, but I had to try.

He placed my bag beside me and mirrored my stance.

"What are you doing here, Jarrod?" I asked.

He shifted closer and I had to dip my head back to see his face. He was just so tall. And muscular.

"I'm trying out new gyms," he said rather lamely.

"And you just happened to try out mine while I was here? On the same day you sent me flowers?"

He smiled. "Did you like them?"

I opened my mouth to confess how beautiful they were but realized what he was doing. This man was shameless.

"Don't change the subject," I grumbled. "I'm not stupid or blind, Jarrod. I don't believe in coincidence either."

"I think you are the farthest thing from stupid," he spoke earnestly, puncturing my shield yet again with his tender gaze. "You want the truth?"

"Always."

He rubbed his neck and wet his lips. "I drove to Seasons as soon as I got off. I'd hoped to catch you on your way out, but you were leaving as I was pulled in. So I just . . . followed you."

I noticed his blue scrubs and decided it was probably the truth. "Why were you trying to talk to me? You could've just texted me back, you know."

"I did, babe."

Frowning, I pulled my phone from my pocket. There was indeed a text from Jarrod awaiting my attention on my lock screen.

JARROD: Sorry this took so long, been a busy day. U still at work?

"Okay." I blushed. "That's beside the point, though. I asked for space. It's not even been twenty-four hours."

His fingers tucked a sweaty strand of hair behind my ear, and the gesture made my heart into premature cardiac arrest.

"I want to give you everything you ask for," he said, his voice a sweet melody in my ear. "Including space, if that's what you believe is best. The flowers were just a gesture, but when you texted me . . . I thought the door might still be cracked."

My entire body simmered with heat. I tried to duck my head, but he held my chin up.

"I never said the door was closed," I murmured. "It's not that I don't want to be with you. I just need to sort through my shit."

"If your shit is that asshole in there"—he jerked a thumb over his shoulder toward the gym—"you made it pretty clear that was already sorted. And why do you think you have to do this alone? I can help you, Leah."

The intensity of his stare unraveled all sense and rationality. I was crippled by the effect he had on me.

"Have dinner with me," he said.

I chuckled and broke away from his gaze. "Yeah, because that ended so well last night."

He took my hand and brought it to his cheek, nuzzling into my palm. "It won't end that way tonight. I promise."

My head hurt, but my heart was pounding a mile a minute. It was hard to deny him when he was here, touching me and talking to me. That was probably why he'd stalked me, expecting my reasoning would fall away under his persistent charm.

I should have been angry to know he could play me so well. But I wasn't.

"I'll cook for you," he ventured. "I can make a mean pot of spaghetti."

Taking the corner of my mouth between my teeth, I searched deep inside for a final shred of strength. He pressed his lips to my palm and my core spasmed.

"Friday," I choked out.

He looked disappointed but nodded. "Four whole days away from you might kill me, but I'll take what I can get."

My lips defied me, quirking into a smile. "It's called compromise, honeybuns."

"Honeybuns." He smirked. "I can get used to that."

I grabbed my bag and threw it in the passenger seat next to my purse. Jarrod held open the driver's door for me.

"Think you can drive on that leg?" he teased as I slid into the cab.

"I think I'll manage."

He leaned down to kiss my cheek. My heart leaped into my throat as another blush seeped across my face.

"I'll see you Friday," he said and closed my door.

I held my breath until he disappeared and sank into the leather seat. Everything in me was buzzing with excitement and hope.

He was crazy for following me, and I was crazy for agreeing to another date. Although a fading nudge in my mind warned me that this was all going too fast, I didn't care anymore.

Our mutual attraction was overwhelming and consuming. My desire for him was beginning to outweigh my fears.

He wasn't like Danny. He wanted me for me, and damn was that refreshing.

The tiniest smile occupied my face the entire drive home.