9. Chapter 8
Chapter 8
AJ
B lake fumed the entire drive back to her dad’s house. I didn’t have to look to know she was glaring at me from the back seat—I could feel it.
Had I over-reacted and handled her friend too violently? I kept telling myself no, but somewhere deep inside, doubt started brewing. Had my anger caused me to act like a jealous asshole instead of a trained professional?
No . I was in control the entire time, and it wasn’t my fault he was a whiny little bitch. It wasn’t like I broke his wrist or anything. If questioned, I could justify my actions.
Was that what my father did? I felt sick to my stomach as I turned onto the street that would take me to the Davenport estate.
I punched in the gate code and waited for the large wrought-iron gate to roll to the side. The long driveway ending in a circle with a large sculpted Pegasus fountain in the center. Water rolled over the spread wings and fell in sheets back into the pool below the horse’s hooves.
Damn! I’d seen pictures of the house, but still wasn’t prepared for the enormity of it. The house, mansion , had columns supporting the roof of the wrap-around porch. It was pristine white with pine green shutters framing the second-story windows, and the professionally landscaped flower beds erupted in a rainbow of spring blooms.
Blake reached for the door as soon as I pulled up to the steps leading to the front door.
“At least let me put the car in park before you try to jump out.”
“Whatever,” she hissed at me, but let go of the door handle.
“Wait here,” I ordered as I got out and scanned for threats while I walked around the front of the car. The coast was clear, so I opened Blake’s door.
“I can open my own door. I don’t need some stupid man doing it for me,” Blake huffed.
She’d said the same thing earlier when I insisted on opening her door on campus. “I’m not doing it to be chivalrous,” I couldn’t help the grin forming in response to her stubbornness. “Like I said before, the car is bulletproof. Me opening your door is the sign that the coast is clear and it’s safe for you to get out.” I over-explained just to get a rise out of her.
“Whatever, mansplainer.” She slung her backpack over one shoulder and stomped up the steps. At the top, she stopped suddenly and spun around, crashing into me because I was only a half step behind her. She yelped and stepped back, knocking herself off balance.
Without thinking, I reached out, grabbing her full waist to steady her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Why are you so close?”
So much attitude in such a small body.
“I wasn’t until you stopped,” I said. Reacting to her closeness, despite my irritation. When she blushed; her cheeks turned a shade darker than the pink stripe in her hair.
She looked like she might apologize, but she huffed instead. “I suppose you need to open this door, too.”
“I’d be happy to open the door for you.” I held out my hand for the key.
She looked at my hand and huffed again.
Blake pulled her keys out of her bag, shot me a look meant to freeze my blood, turned and shoved the key in the lock.
I watched as she cranked the key and shoved the door open.
After stepping inside, she turned and made eye contact before slamming the door in my face.
I laughed as I walked back to the car. She’s going to be a handful .