Nic's Devotion: An Endless Series: Book One by Sara Hess Page A

Carrie was eliciting a multitude of
emotions from me. I lusted after her most definitely, but I also enjoyed
talking to her. I found myself wanting to know everything about her. And damn,
I loved hearing her laugh. It lifted my mood instantly.
         We finished our meal with me explaining more about the
sport of lacrosse. She said it had nothing to do with me personally, merely
that John had told her she needed to gain knowledge of all the sports on
campus. The grin on her face as she’d stated this was wider than my truck’s
grill or I might indeed have had a complex for life.
         She asked relevant questions and caught onto the
complexities of the game with no problem. Normally, I hated explaining the game
to a girl who I wanted to get with, but I didn’t view Carrie in that way. In
truth, I wasn’t certain how I viewed her yet, but she was so damn smart and
genuinely interested in what I was saying that it was enjoyable. She made it
fun. The girl was quick witted and entertaining. One thing that really caught
my attention was that even though she was shy, and blushed habitually; she
pushed through speaking her mind.
         Another thing I liked about her was that her attitude
toward me hadn’t altered when she found out who I was, and how wealthy my
family was. Girls eyes generally lit up at the prospect of money, but Carrie’s
had looked agitated by it.
         And then she’d topped it off by actually listening to
me. She’d picked out the word ‘ expects’ in my conversation and asked
what I wanted. That wasn’t a common response I heard from others.
         We’d been done with our meal for a while and were just
talking when Carrie looked up at the clock on the wall and exclaimed, “Oh my
god. I can’t believe we’ve been sitting here for two and a half hours. I should
probably get home.” A sad grimace crossed her face like she would rather do
anything but go home, but maybe she was unhappy that our lunch was ending. I
knew I was.
        Carrie reached over to grab the bill, but I got to it
first. The death glare she gave me almost had me laughing at how adorable it
was but I already knew that wouldn’t go over so well with her.
         “I can pay for my own lunch.” She said, shaking her
hand for the bill impatiently.
         I swallowed another laugh. “I’m sure you can, but I
asked you. No, actually, I pleaded with you basically forcing you to come. So
please, for the sake of my mind and masculinity, will you let me pay this
time?” Was that too thick?
         “That was like peanut butter and molasses mixed
together it was so thick.” She stated dryly.    
         Yep. She called me on it. “Did it work?”
         She rolled her eyes and sighed. “Fine, I will concede
under pressure, but I want to get the tip. Although, with the way you tip
that’s just punishment for the waitress. So if you would have left more than…”
she looked at the bill, “eight dollars make sure you drop the additional money
after I leave so I won’t feel bad. I gave her extra because we took up her
booth, mind you.”
         I nodded in agreement not saying anything, because yes,
I would have given Tina twenty for taking up her table. The differences in our
tipping had me wondering if maybe I threw my money around pompously. I always
figured that I had extra so why not spread it about, but it would doubtless
make Carrie uncomfortable if I did it around her too much. 
         We gathered our coats and her purse and headed
out…after I dropped the extra money on the table when she looked away. Setting
my hand to her back, just so I could have some contact with her, I guided her
to the truck. Unlocking the door I helped her up inside the cab and then went
around to the driver’s side.
         “I have to say this even though I know you’ll probably
say no; would you let me take you home?” I started the truck.
         “You know me so well already.” She set