EleDATE

7| What a Night

"Oh... hi," I greeted. The thought of riding alone in Dakota's car made me feel nervous. I hadn't done that since we split up eons ago. "No thanks- I'm heading to the bus stop."

Even though rain was dripping into my eyes, I could see that his lips curled into a smirk. "You mean the bus stop that's in the other direction?"

Oh damn... no wonder I couldn't find it. I had always been directionally challenged.

He seemed to grow impatient when I didn't respond, so he reached over, flinging the passenger side door open. "Come on. Get in."

I looked around to make sure nobody would witness me getting into my bosses car, even though I had put quite a bit of distance between myself and the office already. I noticed rain dripping into Dakota's car, and honestly, I didn't want to pay for an Uber anyway, so after only a brief moment longer I found myself sliding into the seat.

"You don't need to do this... I don't live that close to the office, so it'll be out of your way."

"It's fine. What kind of boss would I be if I let my employee walk alone in the rain... and in the wrong direction?"

"Fair point," I shivered as I analyzed the interior of Dakota's car. It had black leather seats, ridiculously clean floors, and a scent somewhere between new car, fresh pine, and cologne.

It was pristine, but also lacking personality. I feel like a person's car usually gives you some insight into who they are, but Dakota's gave away nothing about him. Aside from the fact that he may be a clean freak.

I hadn't moved since Dakota and I stopped talking. He was already headed in the right direction, but it had been a while since he was last at my place.

That's why I found myself giving him directions, even though he already probably knew. I just wanted to fill the silence.

"You haven't moved right?" He cut me off before I could finish.

For a nanosecond, I thought he was talking about my physical body since I was sitting so stiff, but after a second, his words clicked with me. "No, I haven't. I'm still at my same place."

He nodded, not taking his eyes off the road. "Then I know where I'm going."

After this, we fell back into a slightly uncomfortable silence. Well... uncomfortable for me; I was pretty sure Dakota was completely unaffected by my presence.

I was pulled from my thoughts when I shivered hard. He had the air on low, but I was completely soaked through with rain water and was now feeling chilled to my bones.

I also became uncomfortably aware that my nipples were hardening under my thin bralette, and they were showing right through my now see-through blouse.

I crossed my arms over my chest in a super abrupt manner that caused Dakota's eyes to shift my way. "Cold?" He asked.

I nodded. Then I noticed he wasn't still looking at me and tried again using my voice, "Yeah... a little."

I watched his lean, masculine fingers reach out and start adjusting the temperature on his fancy touch screen.

"Thank you," I offered.

After this we fell into yet another silence. It was strange being alone with Dakota. It felt crazy how power and wealth could change the dynamic between two people.

He and I used to have a great relationship. I mean, even before we ever had a romantic interest, we were friends. I remembered the way we used to talk and laugh, and now as I stole a glance at his hardened expression and tired eyes, I kind of missed it. I missed him.