I’m flying around my bedroom after seeing Dex’s text, knowing that my time is limited. The problem is that I’m still getting ready.

Ugh! Sometimes being a girl is hard.

I’ve been trying to find the perfect shoes to go with my coral-colored dress. Nothing looks quite right and it’s making me crazy. Do I go with flats? Wedges? Heels? My obsession with shoes is a little nuts; I freely admit it. It’s my one vice, but it’s a big one and I know it will never go away. I love shoes. I finally decide on a pair of cream and lace ballet flats.

I’m so nervous. I feel like I have a million butterflies in my stomach, and they all refuse to go away.

I’m so primed, so ready to spend more time with Dex I have to wonder if on some weird level my body knows him already.

Maybe he is the…one.

If there’s one thing I’ve loved in all of the books that I’ve read, it’s the fact that from the minute the hero sees the heroine they’re consumed with each other.

I finish getting ready just as the doorbell rings. I look around my apartment. It’s small, maybe eight hundred square foot, and has a rustic farmhouse feel. When I first saw this place I knew it would be perfect for me, especially after leaving my parents’ house in such a rush. Years of babysitting and now working as a cashier in a vintage clothing store has given me a strong sense of independence, yet still I’m missing something.

I yearn for more and maybe I’m fooling myself, but it feels like Dex is that something more.

“Come in,” I yell as I slide my flats on.

“Emma, why is your damn door unlocked?” Dex growls.

He is growling, too. The sound of it vibrates through me, instantly sending tingles of awareness through every erogenous zone I have. Shit. That voice does things to me I’ve never felt before.

“I knew you were coming, so I left it unlocked for you,” I explain.

I’m trying to concentrate on the fact that he’s upset, but I can’t resist moving my eyes over him. He looks so good, even better than I remembered. He’s staring at me right now, so intently that I blush.

“Emma, you never leave your door unlocked. Do you know what could happen to you if I’m not around to protect you?” he asks. The way he’s saying it makes it seem like he really is worried.

Is he having the same feelings I am?

That’s probably just wishful thinking. It’s impossible to care for someone you’ve just met… Right?

“I’m sorry, Dex. I won’t do it again,” I look down at my shoes. Part of me wants to argue with him, but he has a point. It is dangerous to leave your door unlocked these days. There was a woman raped just a block up the road. I was just so excited about seeing him…I didn’t think. He’s upset and I feel bad. I don’t want Dex to be disappointed in me.

“Emma, baby. Look at me,” he orders. My eyes travel slowly back up to him and suddenly his lips are on mine. It’s light and gentle like he’s easing me into the kiss. I feel flushed all over my body and my knees instantly go weak.

As if he can sense the effect he has on me, Dex deepens the kiss. Our tongues slide and entwine with each other and his taste consumes me. It’s the most amazing kiss I’ve ever had. It makes me feel as if I’m alive for the first time in my life. The kiss makes me feel connected to Dex and somehow awakens every silly daydream I’ve ever had.

As crazy as it sounds, it’s like he is my safe place. Everything about Dex feels right. Like he is where I’m meant to be. I can feel it, in the very depth of my soul.

“Wow,” I whisper breathlessly when we break apart. That’s exactly what I am…wowed. I look up to Dex and see his smirk.

“Yeah, Emma. Wow. It’s going to be like that, and so much more,” he says cryptically. I bring my fingers up to my lips, still feeling him there. “Are you ready to go?”

“Uh, yeah. I am. Just let me just lock up.”

He grabs my keys and does it for me. I’ve never had someone take over like he does. It makes me feel safe and I like it. It feels like he’s taking care of me.

Everything in me responds to everything he does.

Walking out to his truck, he helps me inside, and then reaches over my torso to buckle me in.

“Dex, I can do it. I’m not helpless,” I tell him, feeling self-conscious.

“I know, sweetheart. I’m just making sure you’re safe,” he whispers over my collarbone. Goosebumps pop up on my skin.

“Where are we going?” I ask, wondering if I’m dressed up enough.

“To dinner at my house,” he responds gruffly.

“Oh, are you cooking?”

“Yeah, sweetheart.”

I’ve never had anyone cook for me that wasn’t my parents or their chef. It feels…special. I turn and look out the windshield with the biggest smile ever on my face.