My head jerked back and I chuckled. "The po-po?"
"I will find a way to hurt you. Capisce?" She stood on the tips of her toes and stared me down.
Clenching my jaw to keep from laughing, I nodded. Charity was all five-foot-two and probably weighed next to nothing. It was kind of cute how she thought she was a threat.
"Got it."
"I'm serious, Nic. Gabi means a lot to me and I need you to know how big this is for her. I've only known her to go on two dates and they were both not something she wanted to do. She likes you, don't play her."
The thought of playing Gabi caused a tightness in my chest. The last thing I'd ever want to do is hurt her.
"Don't get me wrong, I like the whole alpha male thing you've got going on, but heed my warning, mister."
I held up my hands in defense. "Charity, from the little I know of you, trust me, I won't be getting on your bad side."
She smiled. "Good. Now, she doesn't know this, but she has tomorrow off because I'm hoping you're planning a nice evening for her and I don't want her rushing home."
"I hope I am. At least I'm trying to. I'm not really good at the whole dating thing."
She narrowed her eye at me. "I figured as much. Just blow her mind away with some earth shattering sex."
Holy shit.
"Wow. You went from don't hurt her to earth-shattering sex? It's only our second date."
She nodded. The way her smile crept over her face, I couldn't help but smile back. Charity tapped her hand on my chest, "I love her, but Jesus Christ she needs to loosen up. The kind of loosening up you do after you've had mind blowing sex."
"You realize how much pressure you're now putting on me, right?"
She laughed. "Please, I've been around the block, Nic. I know your type. I seriously doubt you have problems making a girl-" Her eyes traveled down to my dick and I instantly felt violated.
I covered my junk and her eyes lifted back to mine.
"Loosen up," she finished with a wink.
Pinching my brows, I said, "I don't know if you complimented me or insulted me just now."
With a one-shoulder shrug, she turned and headed back into the bakery.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts and also made a mental note to hook up Charity and Cole. Cole would love the feisty attitude of Charity and I had no doubt she would keep him on his toes. They would be perfect for each other.
Pressing the bell, her sweet voice soon filled the air.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's Nic.
"Come on up!"
I could hear the smile in her voice and that caused my body to warm. All these feelings were new to me and I wasn't really sure how to read it. Is sex on the second date to soon? Maybe I should have asked Thano.
Stopping, I pulled out my phone and hit his number.
"Hey, if you're calling to tell me that was all a joke, I'll hate you forever."
"No. No that's not why I'm calling. I need to ask you something."
"Shoot."
I pulled in a deep breath. "How did you know Kilyn was . . . different . . . from other girls?"
Thano didn't say anything at first before he smiled. "Um, I just knew. I felt things I'd never felt before. Not even with Savannah."
His words from before came back to my mind.
"I couldn't stop thinking about her. Wanted to see her every chance I could. Would think of excuses to call her on the phone just to hear her voice."
"What about sex? Is the second date too soon?"
"Do you like her? I mean, really like her? Not like a I want to get in her pants and fuck her like her."
I nodded even though I knew he couldn't see me. "Yeah. I do. I've never had a woman make me feel this way before. I mean, don't get me wrong, I want in her pants. Bad. But, if she told me she wanted to wait, I'd wait as long as she needed. I love being around her. Gabi makes me laugh. I feel relaxed when I'm with her."
"Take your time, Nic. Get to know each other."
"So you're saying no sex today?"
"I'm saying let your heart lead the way. You'll know when the time is right."
There was a few seconds of silence before Thano laughed.
"Damn bro. I never thought we'd be having this convo."
"Me either. I'm not saying it's anything more, but I'm also going on a second date and hoping for more."
"Well, don't push her, dude. If she's the one, she's worth the wait."
Knocking on the door, I went to reply when Gabi opened the door.
My God. She was beautiful.
"Gotta go, Thano. Later."
Hitting End, I shoved my phone in my pocket.