Page 18 of Becoming His

"You are a cliche. I'm yet to see you reading in public. Or cooking for someone."

He held his hands up as he looked at me pointedly.

"You're relaxing."

I stuck my tongue out at him, and he gasped in mock horror as the waitress dropped the bill in front of us, which Bailey threw his bank card down on.

"Don't argue. It's a date, and I'm paying. So remember that. The guy should always pay if he asks you out. It's called manners."

"Don't worry, Bailey, I don't plan on going on any dates anytime soon." I laughed, meeting his curious gaze. "Thank you, though; it's really kind of you."

He smiled as the waitress handed him his bank card with a receipt. She scribbled something on it as we stood, and a strange look passed over his face when he read it before shoving it in his pocket.

"What was that?" I asked, and he shrugged.

"You know waiters and their tips." He rolled his eyes, and we left, walking out into the night air.

"Wanna go to the beach?" Bailey asked suddenly, his hand in mine.

I jumped away as though it was on fire, and he laughed.

"God, come on. You need to get used to human contact. Beach?"

I eyed him suspiciously, and he laughed, making my heart lurch.

"Nope, I'm tired," I complained as he frowned for the millionth time.

"You're making me frown too much. Start saying yes more, and make me smile."

I bit my lip, and the playful expression left his face, replaced with one I hadn't seen before.

"Bailey, I need to ask you something," I said, taking a deep breath as he walked over to me, rubbing his hands up and down my arms.

"You're cold."

My skin tingled from his touch, and I struggled to remain focused.

"I know."

He wrapped his arms around me, and warmth spread through me when he murmured into my hair.

"Ask away. I must warn you, though, I'm brutally honest."

His chest was hard under my face, and I closed my eyes as I spoke.

"Why are you doing this? Taking me out, getting me a makeover…."

He pulled away from me and tilted my head up to his with a single finger.

"Because I'mnota cliche. I said I'd help you, and I keep my word. Even thoughyouclearly can't keep yours," Bailey teased, and I realized I was staring at his lips, which were inches away from mine, his arms still wrapped around me as I imagined what it would feel like if he did this because hewantedto, not because he washelpingme. Bailey gazed at me for a moment, moving my hair out of my eyes as I blinked, realizing how ridiculous I was. He saw me as a charity case, not an attractive girl he would want to kiss. He waswayout of my league.

"Well, thank you for letting me see what a date should be like." I tried to pull away, yet he held me in place, his eyes searching mine.

"At this point in the date, if it has gone wrong, you'd go your separate ways and probably never speak again." His voice became gruff as the wind whipped around us, my hair in my eyes as I tried to see him clearly as he spoke.

"And if it has gone well?" I asked, my voice hoarse with longing.

"Then he would probably tilt your head up like this." I froze as his finger slid under my chin, tilting it closer to his. "If you were looking at him how you are looking at me now, I would imagine he would lean forward and kiss you."