Abounding In Love

Chapter Eight

"Wait-" Anna Maria, who had been singing along to the song she playing on her Bluetooth radio that's being controlled by her phone in hand, stop and sits up straighter. If one was wondering; no, Anna does not have the best voice. Though her carefree attitude towards knowing she's tone deaf made it kinda enjoyable to hear. "Where are we going?"

"To your house." I answer her in a dull tone, now in the mood for rest after such focus. I had been lucky enough to make it as far as a mile without any interrogation from her.

"We can't go there!" She protests with a perplexed expression, like I should have known better.

"Are you suggesting I bring you back to my parent's house aggressively drunk, Anna Maria?" I side eye her from my spot in the drivers seat of her car. "I'm not sure they'd be too pleased with me. Need I remind you that you aren't twenty one yet? That's a lot of heat I'd take if they're awake."

She sighs, staring out the window in thought. "Oh!" She snaps her fingers, turning back to face me. "Take a right at the next light. I'll just go to Emerson's. Evie is staying there too."

Take her back to Emerson's? Versus having her sleep in my bed? What a foolish thing for me to do; sending her into the arms of a man I can tell is head over heels for her.

I am in no rush with you, Anna Maria. We have plenty of time to discover all the different parts of one another. 

But I can't say I want anyone to make you happy in an intimate way while we are in this process.

You, Anna Maria, are mine without knowing it.

From here on out, I will now steer you in every direction of life, leading you exactly where I would like.

It's all for your benefit, really, Anna. If I didn't care so much, I wouldn't even ponder the thought of doing this for you.

I'll never take you to Emerson's house.

Getting into the lane with the white left turning arrow on the pavement, I say, "We will go back to my house. But next time, Anna Maria, consider preparing a plan as to where you will sleep before taking six shots at a party."

"You are jealous!" She retorts quickly, as if waiting on the next chance she gets to accuse me of that. "I had a feeling you weren't going to take me there. And I was right!" She states proudly, like she's winning some award for it. "You know..." she points a finger before shaking it a few times. "I halfway thought you were looking at me in that way..." she puts emphasis on the last three words, nodding her head to the syllables of them. "But you're also like unreadable, like you never use facial expressions...so..." she then gives a shrug. "I wasn't sure."

Anna Maria when she is drunk doesn't differ much from when she's sober. She's just as sporadic, talkative, and a lot to keep up with, it's just enhanced, times a thousand with alcohol in the mix.

I ought to take advantage of that.

"What did you think of that?"

My question caught her off guard, staring at me with parted lips for a moment as I glance between her and the road. "Think of what?" She asks, making sure I'm asking what she thinks I am, not trying to make herself look foolish.

"The thought of me looking at you like that?"

From the dim street and car dash lights shining in the car, I notice the blush on her cheeks. Or maybe that's just her drunk...

But I see the way you look at me too, Anna Maria.

I excite you, don't I?

Does my handsome, mature look and idea of me murdering my ex girlfriend turn you on, Anna?