Chapter 14
14
Skye Simmons
“Are you sure you are okay to share a cab with him?” Vivian asks, not trying to hide her concern. She remains in the open door of the cab looking across at Grayson, who sits at my side.
“I’m fine.” I laugh. “It seems crazy not to, we are going to the same building.” I’d been drinking but honestly my buzz had long ago worn off. However I was still wired, knowing when I got home it would be a while before I could fall asleep. It’d been too long since I had a night out. Too long since I felt like me, like I wasn’t an overworked twenty-two-year-old that forgot how to be young.
Vivian leans in kissing my cheek and then points to Gray. “You better act like a gentleman.” She holds his stare and I can see the corner of his mouth starting to tip up in a smile but he quickly gets control of himself. I can barely hold back my own laughter.
“I’ll be on my best behavior,” he assures her with a quick nod.
“Yeah, well your best isn’t saying much so that doesn’t make me feel any better. Just sit there, shut up, and do not touch her.”
This time I do laugh. “Goodnight, Viv.”
“Unless she wants you to touch her than?—”
“Bye, Viv,” I add once more and she stops talking looking at me.
“Be good,” she says low, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
A few more seconds pass then she shuts the door and takes a step back.
“Do you think she’d come through the window after me if I reached out and put my hand on your knee?” Chills run over my arms and legs at the thought, but I try not to react.
“Probably, or she’d chase after the cab.”
Just as we start to pull away, he slides across the backseat and puts his arm around me. I shiver, hoping he doesn’t notice. When he chuckles I look over to see Vivian jogging next to us, pointing and yelling something.
“She’ll be blowing up my phone any minute.” As if on cue my phone rings in my purse. Looking over I underestimate just how close he is and my nose skims over his jaw.
“I’ll just ignore that for now.” What in the hell am I doing? Why does he have to smell so damned good?
Slowly he starts to move in closer and my pulse races. The very second his lips graze mine the cabbie takes that moment to ask where we’re going. It’s like a cold glass of water dumped over my head. Sliding away I place a little distance between us while Gray gives him the address of our building.
I take the opportunity to dig my phone out of my purse and look at the many messages Vivian has sent me.
Each one makes me smile wider.
The rest of the ride is filled with awkward silence, me choosing to look out the window instead of talking to Grayson. I’d almost done the unthinkable, I’d almost caved. Becoming another number in the long line of women for my neighbor isn’t a goal I’ve set for myself.
But it’s hard, now spending time with him, I see the appeal. It’s like a cosmic pull, a force field around him that the second you enter, you can’t seem to escape.
“We’re here.” I jerk in reaction to his voice and drop my phone to the seat before it bounces to the floor.
When I bend to pick it up, Grayson does the same and his hand covers mine. My body freezes, and he leans in closer. “You’re trembling.” His breath tickles my shoulder and the side of my neck.
“No.” I pick up my phone and reach for the door handle looking back over my shoulder at him. “I’m not.” Pulling, I open the door of the cab and climb out.
I was lying, and he knew I was, I could tell from the way he was watching me. I had to clear my head. I needed some space.
Vivian was right, this was a bad idea.
Reaching the stairwell, I start to climb the stairs, hearing his boots beating the pavement behind me. Then the pounding of his footsteps on the stairs, I refuse to look back.
Once I’m at the top and I can see the door to my apartment I feel a sense of relief, which is short-lived. A strong arm wraps around my waist and suddenly I am brought to a halt, my back collided with a strong chest.
“What are you racing to, or should I say running from?”
“You.” The word tumbles from my lips and I instantly regret it.
I feel him take a deep breath, as he has yet to release me.
“There’s no reason to run.” He buries his nose in my hair, and until then I hadn’t realized that I was holding my breath. When his hold starts to relax and slowly his hand falls from my waist he steps back and I know I should feel relief only I don’t.
“Good night, Skye.” I swallow hard, closing my eyes. “Good night,” I reply in nothing more than a whisper.
Forcing my legs to move, I walk toward my door and push my key into the lock. As I twist the handle I look to my left to see him standing in the threshold of his own apartment.
“I enjoyed spending time with you tonight.” It’s not what I expect him to say. “We should do it again some time.”
And with that he moves into his apartment and I remain in the doorway of my own, finding the urge to chase after him.