Chapter 13
GRAYSON
Holy fuck, she’s pretty.
She’s standing there in my hoodie, looking turned on and ready to fight me at the same time. She’s blushing the loveliest shade of pink while meeting my gaze head on. This isn't a crush, I just want her. And I don’t have to like her to want her.
“Hello? The lighter?” she repeats.
I hold it out in the palm of my hand, but I don’t want her to leave yet—blame the beer. Before she can take the lighter, I retract my hand, holding it up high where she can’t get it unless she climbs up my body, which is a thoroughly enticing idea.
“What are you, ten?“ she sighs.
“Twenty-two, actually.“
“You’re twenty-two?” She tilts her head to the side, forgetting the lighter. She probably wants to ask when’s my birthday. My sign. All of it. That’s the type of person she is.
I smirk in triumph. She does not.
“Grayson.”
There’s a murderous look in her green eyes, but my dick ignores it and jumps to attention. Say my name again, it begs.
“Now, sweetheart, that’s simply not fair,” I tsked.
“What are you talking about?”
“If I can’t call you by your name, then you shouldn’t be able to call me by mine either.“
Because if she says it again, all common sense will be lost, and I will claim those pouty lips. I will hold her body flush against mine until she asks me to stop.
“That’s fine, Rhodes.” She flashes another fake smile. “Can I have the lighter now?“
“No problem, Alvarez.”
I hand her the silver lighter, my fingers brushing the palm of her hand. A tiny gasp escapes past her parted lips.
“Thank you.” She sounds breathless.
She opens her mouth to say something, rethinks it, then simply turns to go. I’m smiling as I admire her ass as she walks away. That’s when I know I need to get out of there before I do or say something I’ll regret.
Abruptly she stops, exhales once, then returns to my car.
“You’re not coming in?“
“Not unless you ask nicely,” I reply.
She shakes her head, but that sweet, let’s-be-friends smile is back.
“Do you have a keychain?”
I blink. What does a keychain have to do with anything?
“No.”
“What are your car keys attached to?”
I arch an eyebrow.
“Can I see them?” she insists.
“No,” I smirk, curious as to what she’s getting at.
“You said, ‘I’ll let you have anything you want. All you have to do is ask.’ Remember?”
I resist the urge to smile as I hand her my keys, wondering what she’s up to and why the fuck I said that to her. But then the thief pockets them. What the fuck?
“You’re drunk,” she states.
“Don’t be an asshole, Alvarez.” No one tells me what to do. Especially not a tiny girl I don’t know and don’t like.
“You can have your keys back when you sober up or I can drive you after we sing happy birthday and cut the cake.”
This little shit.
“Are you fucking serious?”
She’s already walking away. “I’ll be inside, Rhodes.”
I don’t know whether I’m more annoyed or amused because she looks so damn proud of herself. I can’t do anything but scowl at her retreating form while I admire the sway of her hips in my hoodie.
“Alvarez?”
She stops and looks at me over her shoulder.
“There’s nothing wrong with being a virgin.”
“I know that,” she grins, then saunters back into The Lion’s Den.
Well, shit.
I lean against my car and run a hand through my hair. Dread fills the pit of my stomach. I wasn’t expecting that. It’s surprising and concerning. She’s surprising and concerning.
Fuck.