Am I? I was simply telling him the truth.

“Sorry I made a mess on your first official date,” Tex said.

“There is nothing to be sorry for. As long as you’re not harmed, everything else can be replaced.”

“Yeah, but I know how you feel about messes.”

He pays too close attention to me.

“When I’m outside of my home, they don’t bother me nearly as much.”

Tex’s shoulders finally eased as he relaxed. I hadn’t known he was so nervous; it was interesting. Tex always seemed so confident when we left our home. I realized I liked this side of him too.

The food came out shortly after. I ate, but mostly, I watched Tex. The way he enjoyed food could drive any man crazy. Before I knew it, we were leaving the restaurant, and the valet handed the keys over.

“Dinner was nice, except for the part where I spilled an entire bottle of wine.” Tex groaned as he stared down at his stained suit.

“The date isn’t over.”

“It’s not?”

I shook my head and took his hand in mine. I placed a chase kiss on the back of it. A tempting blush crept up Tex’s neck and colored his cheeks.

“One more place. The premiere of The Last Candidate is tonight.” Some spy movie Tex had brought up a few times. We still had two hours before the movie started.

“You know, we can watch it at home,” Tex said.

Warmth flooded my chest. I didn’t like movie theaters because they could be too loud and crowded. Still, I’d made arrangements for that as well. I did everything to ensure Tex and I had a perfect date.

“It’s the premiere. This time you will see it before others spoil it for you.”

Tex groaned. “It’s annoying as hell, people who see the movie freaking post about it right after ruining it for the rest of us.”

It was a familiar complaint I had heard from him. As always, I let him rant away about how people were inconsiderate. Watching him get worked up was like listening to my own personal ASMR. I relaxed and pulled him close, ignoring the wine soaked into his clothing.

“I need to get changed then.” He pulled at the ruined suit. Tex pulled away from me and hopped into the car. “Come on.”

“There is a shopping district—”

“No, thanks,” Tex said, cutting me off.

I started the car and pulled out into traffic. “I can buy you something new.”

Tex rolled his eyes. “Why when my apartment is just around the corner? I can change there.”

My molars ground together as my fingers tightened around the steering wheel. Tex’s hand rested on my thigh, calming the rage inside me. We said nothing, but I’d made it clear I wanted him to stay with me. Not that I was giving him any choice. I wouldn’t allow Tex to go back to his place away from me, and he knew that.