Contradiction by Salina Paine Page B

gently I take her to my bed and cover her up. Taking my place on the couch I smile knowing I'm never letting this one go.

 
    Chapter 11
    ~~Jasmine~~
     
    Seven o'clock finally comes around and my workday is done. It felt good being back at work again. I clock out and walk to my car. As I sit down my phone whistles indicating I have a text message and only one person is set to that particular sound, Brandon. A huge smile crosses my lips as I open it.
    "Hi."
    I laugh at that one small word. All I can think about lately is him and the things he said to me. "Sweetheart, I am far from perfect and I have many flaws. One of them being the inability to leave you alone."
    I really don't want him to leave me alone, but I fear he's going to want more than I'm willing to give right now. I'm damaged, Jeff ruined me in such a way I'm not sure I'll ever have the ability to fully trust anyone again. I shake off the feeling of doubt and reply to his text.
    "Hi."
    I sit there with my eyes closed for a minute and then put on my seatbelt and start the car. As I put it in reverse my phone sounds off again.
    "What ya doing?"
    A huge smile crosses my lips as I respond.
    "Just got off work and headed home." 
    "If you're headed home why are you still in the parking lot? "
    Immediately my heart begins to hammer in my chest as I look around for his car.
    "How do you know that? " I text back.
    "I can see you."
    "Don't bother looking you won't find it. I got a new car. ;)"
    "Where are you?  I want to see it."
    "Three cars over. Come on and I'll take you for a ride."
    I can feel the heat rushing to my cheeks and the excitement is overwhelming. Quickly I look in the mirror making sure I look presentable and spritz a bit of perfume on. One last glance in the mirror and I sigh, drawing in a deep breath, as I get out and walk over to him. I see this metallic blue beauty a few spaces over. Walking to the driver's side quickly as I pull my coat tightly around me. The night air is cold and chills me to the bone. He rolls down his window and says, "You know it is a lot warmer in here." I giggle and smile because the temptation is almost too much to resist.
    "I'm fine." I fib as I pull the hood up on my jacket. I am really freezing, but I don't want him to think I'm excited that he's here.
    "Oh, come on." He says, "I don't bite."
    Men make me nervous. Even after being at his apartment, seeing him in nothing but his slacks, I still get jumpy. After all the turmoil concerning Jeff, I'm extremely guarded. I slowly walk around the car and climb in. The warmth is so nice, I remove my gloves and put my hands close to the vents to warm them.
    "See, I told you it was better in here." He says with a smile. Nodding in agreement I look around and check out his ride. Immaculate I think to myself.  I should have known. "What are you thinking about?" He asks. 
    Smiling, I reply. "I never would have figured you for a SUV kind of guy. I would have assumed you would have a shiny new gas guzzler, not a hybrid."
    He smiles. Well I still have my gas guzzling truck, if that makes you feel better."
    A fit of laughter escapes my lips and it takes all I have to compose myself. He sits there smiling. "Oh, there it is, my favorite shade of red." I turn my face to look out the window drawing in deep, steady breathes. When I get everything in check.
    I sigh, "It's very nice, but I really do need to get home."
    "Want to go for a quick ride?" He asks smiling that panty soaking smile. My mind tells me NO but my body won't move.
    "Sure." I reply having no idea where this is going. He pulls out of the parking lot and my heart begins to pound in my chest. The sound is so loud I'm certain he can hear it over the radio. I sit staring forward trying not to let my eyes waver in his direction.
    We turn down a dark side road and I look over at him raising my eyebrows.  "Ummm... where are we going?" I ask.
    "Nowhere, just driving around." He says with a smile.
    "Ok, but don't get lost." I reply