“I had a great time tonight.” Sincerity swims in Drew’s green eyes. “I’m glad we were finally able to do this.”
I force a smile. “Me, too. It was fun.” Unfortunately, that’s exactly the way it feels. Forced. I can’t imagine getting together with him again. Nor can I imagine this relationship progressing any further. Not when I have such strong feelings for someone else. And not when I allowed one man to touch me when I was out with another.
Oh my God, who does that?
I’m not that kind of person.
I’m not, damn it.
I study Drew’s face, desperately wanting to feel a tenth of what I feel for Roman. But I just don’t.
Until my run-in with Roman, I’d had a great time with Drew. I’d forgotten about Roman and the intense feelings he rouses in me for a few hours.
I’m embarrassed for responding to him the way I did and humiliated for melting in his arms right after he touched me. I have no willpower when it comes to that man.
I blink, and Drew’s handsome features blur in front of me before solidifying.
Drew was a complete gentleman this evening. In the year and a half that we’ve worked together, he’s taken the time to get to know me and expressed interest even though I continually shut him down. I wish his efforts were enough. I wish I felt even a spark of attraction.
By the time we pull up in front of my house, I just want the evening to end. I want to go inside and scrub Roman out of my mind and off my body while taking a hot bath.
What occurred tonight can’t happen again. I thought staying away from him would be enough to make me get over him. Clearly, that’s not the case. I’m in deeper than I was before.
Drew turns off the truck and angles his body toward mine, blissfully unaware of the fact that another man fingered me in the bathroom and derailed the course of the evening and our entire relationship.
I think he’s waiting for an invitation to continue our date inside my place. Up until an hour ago, I’d berated myself for not giving him a chance sooner. I realize now that he’ll never stack up to Roman.
“I hope we can do this again soon,” Drew says, breaking the silence.
Even though I don’t see that happening, I can’t convince myself to tell him. “That would be nice,” I remark weakly.
His expression flickers with confusion and falls in disappointment. He reaches over and takes hold of my fingers. Unlike the previous times he did this, I feel nothing. The budding feelings of attraction that buzzed through my body earlier are gone.
I feel bad for wasting his time. But instead of explaining that what happened tonight has nothing to do with him, I bite my tongue.
I can barely admit the truth to myself, let alone him.
Feeling like crap for ending the night on such a strange note when it had started out so promising, I say, “It’s late. I should probably get inside.”
The hopeful glint in his eyes dies out. “Oh. Yeah, sure.”
For the first time this evening, awkwardness descends.
I lean toward him and lay a chaste kiss on his cheek. Before Drew can take it further or ask questions, I grab the handle and push the door open.
“Sofia?” Drew calls. “I enjoyed spending time with you and getting to know you better.”
Bending at the waist, I meet his gaze. “Me, too.”
“Good night.”
Relief rushes through me. “Night, Drew. See you Monday.” I slam the door and hurry up the cement walkway. Once I reach the front door, I turn and wave.
Drew continues watching me as I rummage through my purse for my house key, which makes me want to smack myself for not giving him more of a chance.
I slide the key into the lock, twist it until there’s a click, and turn the handle. Pausing, I wait for a series of high-pitched beeps from the security system my father installed after I purchased the house last spring.
They don’t ring out, which is odd.
Drew pulls away from the curb as I lock the door. His red taillights disappear into the darkness.
I know I set the alarm before we left. But when I glance at the panel, it’s already been disengaged.
Stepping into the living room, I flick on the light switch. A noise draws my attention to the corner. I freeze, my gaze darting over to the leather armchair.
And the man sitting on it.