Linden: Rocking Pleasure: New Adult College Romance (Coral Gables Series Book 3) by Drucie Anne Taylor Page B

grinning. Because I’m convinced this will be our first and only date. Wait, did I say date? Uh-oh. “But you have to promise me we will have another date,” he adds. Uh-oh indeed.
    “ If your schedule allows it.” I shrug.
    “ It’s pretty empty right now since the doctor prescribed rest.”
    “ Then we shouldn’t go to Draven’s gig.”
    “ Yes, we should. I’d really like to hear him.”
    I sigh and shake my head. “Men! You’re all insane, you know that? Instead of taking that much needed rest, you want to go out and party.”
    Linden laughs and strokes my hand, which makes me realize he hasn’t let go yet. “I’m young, and I enjoy the life I have. Is that so bad?”
    “ No. Just a little suicidal,” I counter with a smirk.
    “ Nonsense. I’m not bedridden. I was in the hospital for a few days, and now I want to have some fun. This is the first time in over a year that I have some time to myself, even if it is a forced break.”
    I lean back and study him. Linden is really handsome. His blond hair is styled in an upward sweep. I don’t want to know how much wax was necessary to achieve that effect. His turquoise eyes shine when he talks, and his lips have that sensual curve that is almost feminine. My gaze is lured back to those lips repeatedly. I like to listen to him, because his voice is like velvet.
    “ So is pop music really your heart’s desire, or did the record company tell you that’s what you needed to do to become famous?” I suddenly blurt out.
    He sighs and leans back as well. “The latter, I’m afraid,” he confides. “We used to play rock, but our manager told us we’d get further if we started out with catchy pop songs. He said all the teen girls would fall in love with us, and later they would still like us even if we slowly changed our style. Sometimes I think it’s a trap.”
    “ So you aren’t comfortable with that?” I probe.
    “ Not really, no. But my friends outvoted me, so I hopped on the bandwagon, you might say.”
    “ Craptastic.”
    Linden nods. “You might say that, too. But we’ll get back to our roots someday.” He takes another sip of his Coke. “Am I mistaken, or was your hair a lot shorter when we met?” he suddenly asks.
    “ You’re not mistaken. I got extensions,” I admit.
    “ The long hair suits you.”
    “ Thanks.”
    He glances at his watch and then looks at me again. “If we want to be at the club on time, we need to get going soon.”
    “ Okay.” I rise and grab my handbag. “Are you going to drive, or do you want everyone to see you coming in that big fat limo?”
    “ I’m driving … no, wait. My hand … You’re driving. My car is in the garage.”
    “ Cool.”
    We leave the dining room, and I follow Linden out to the massive garage. Two sports cars and an old Jeep are parked there. Although I’d have bet Linden would choose one of his fancy cars, he pats the roof of the Jeep lovingly. “My very first car,” he says proudly.
    “ Are we taking that?” I ask with a smile.
    “ Yes.” He throws me the keys, and I catch them. Then I walk around to the driver’s side and get in behind the wheel. Linden sits in the passenger seat. “Oh, I forgot to mention: This isn’t an automatic.”
    “ I can drive a stick shift.” I smirk, knowing that most guys think all women are barely able to drive an automatic.
    “ Oh. Great. I’ve never met a woman who can handle a stick shift.”
    “ You just haven’t met the right women,” I counter quickly and start the engine.
    The Jeep practically shoots out of the garage. Fortunately, the automatic door was already open, otherwise I totally would have crashed into it.
    “ Sweet Jesus. I’m really not suicidal, I swear.” Linden laughs and holds on to the door handle.
    “ Enjoy the life you have! Enjoy the thrill of life!” I belt out, entering the street with screeching tires. Other drivers are honking behind me, but I don’t care.
    “ That’s not the thrill of