Chapter 17 #2
Beck’s snort draws my attention from the upcoming sunrise.
Even in the dark cab, the dimple in his cheek is sunken deep, completely visible.
I stare at it and rest my head against the seat, releasing the tension in my neck.
His eyes flick my way for a heartbeat before floating back to the road, but that smile spreads.
And that dimple holds my attention for too long.
“Maybe. Have you ever wanted to watch a game?”
“Not really.”
“Shit, no softening that blow.”
“Eli’s made me watch a couple. It’s slow-paced.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
I cup my knee, contemplating actually saying what I’m thinking.
He seems to realize that I’m hesitating and reaches over the console to poke my outer thigh. “Since when do you hold back when it comes to honesty? Let me have it, baby. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“It bores me. There, I said it. Baseball bores me!”
“Take it back.”
“I can’t. It’s already out there.”
“This can’t go on any longer. I’ve gotta let you down gently here, gorgeous. We can’t keep doing this. What am I supposed to tell my dad now? He’s an even bigger baseball fan than I am.”
“Are you ashamed of me now, Beck?” I ask in mock outrage.
He heaves a sigh so loud it’s almost a groan. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to drop you off right here.”
To make the act more believable, he even flicks his blinker on and changes lanes, creeping closer to an unfamiliar side street. I can’t help the laugh that tumbles out of me any more than the hand that I reach across the console to swat at the blinker, turning it off.
“Yeah, right. We both know you’d never dump me on the side of some random road.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll find a fire station instead.”
“You’re suggesting dropping me off at a fire station like an abandoned baby?” I fall back into my seat with a grin. “What a chivalrous gentleman.”
“My mom raised me right. And that means I’m going to make you change your mind. I guarantee once you come to a baseball game, you’ll think differently.”
“I doubt it.”
“Humour me, then. Think of this as payment for tonight.”
My grin slips a bit. Payment, right. Because there’s always a cost to things when it comes to people like him.
His eyes pierce the side of my face, instantly noticing the change in my mood.
“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just . .
. fuck, Quinn. I’m trying to get you to come out to watch me play sometime.
I shouldn’t have worded it like that. You don’t owe me anything for this. Not a fucking thing. Got it?”
“Why not?” I ask, blinking in surprise at the outburst.
There’s something sad in the way he’s staring out the windshield, and I look away before he notices me staring.
“Because I wanted to come.”
“I’ve been a bitch to you for months. It’s one thing for you to continue flirting, but it’s something completely different to leave your place in the middle of the night to help me in a crisis and then offer me a place to stay. I don’t get you.”
“So let’s change that. Get to know me, Quinn, because I want to know you so badly that I’d have done a fuck ton more than just turn off a water valve at three in the morning.”
The blunt statement is so sexy. His confidence and outgoing personality are one part of him that has always driven me insane.
I like men who don’t beat around the bush, but this is Beck we’re talking about.
And once again, he’s started tugging on the rope he looped around my middle months ago, inching me closer and closer to him.
I shift in my seat, battling the desire curling between my legs. “You said we could start as friends.”
“Friends get to know each other, don’t they?”
“Yes,” I say, already knowing I’ve lost this battle.
“So, consider this just phase one of our friendship.”
He takes a turn, and I have to stifle my gasp when we enter Coal Harbour.
I recognize it immediately because I used to take the bus through the area all the time when I was in high school.
The towering skyline condo buildings send my heart racing, and I don’t even notice the lack of traffic as we creep deeper into the neighbourhood.
We turn onto a long, pristine road with buildings of glass on either side.
The streetlights are on and bright, painting the empty sidewalks and tall, bright green trees.
I bite the inside of my cheek when I spot docks nestled behind the buildings.
The boats tied up there look expensive because they are.
I can’t even guess what the cost to store them here is.
I’ve rolled down my window to get a clearer view of the dark water of the ocean when Beck makes a turn and we reach the entrance to an underground parkade.
He digs around in the console for a beat before pulling a fob out and pressing it to a giant panel outside the car. With a beep, the overhead door rises.
“For some reason, I assumed you lived in a giant house on the beach or something,” I say, still a bit shell-shocked to be here.
“Nah. That’s Wes’ jurisdiction. He lives on a big-ass hill overlooking the ocean, though. I’ve heard too many stories about him getting sand in his ass, so I do know he loves the ocean.”
“Yeah, he has the only surfer thing going for him.”
“Is that your type?”
“Surfers?” I almost laugh.
“If they are, I’ll have you know that I can surf.”
“Are you lying right now?”
He pulls into a parking spot near the back of the parking garage and turns the car off. When he twists my way, his eyes are sparkling with humour.
“Will you spank me if I say yes?”
“More like kick you in the ass.”
“I’ll take it,” he blurts out, smirking.
“You’re insatiable. Do you know that?”
“It’s one of my best assets.”
I drop my gaze and unbuckle my seat belt. “Enough flirting. We need to get some sleep.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He salutes and doesn’t hesitate to grab my overnight bag from the back seat.
We make our way to the elevator, and I inspect the other cars down here.
A few cars have covers that hide them from greedy eyes like mine, but most of them are uncovered.
A cherry-red Lamborghini two spaces down from Beck’s car glimmers even in the shitty lighting down here, but it’s the Jeep Gladiator with the doors off that holds my attention.
“I’ve always wanted a Jeep,” I admit, cheeks flushing.
Beck pushes the button for the elevator before facing me, letting his arm brush mine. “Yeah? Why’s that?”
“Why not? It’s the summer car. I’ve yet to watch a single rom-com where the sexy heartthrob isn’t driving around in one. Especially with the doors off.”
“You’d love Kellan, then. He’s got this mint-coloured one with matching interior stitching. I don’t think he’s put the doors back on since he got it.”
I itch with the desire to see it for myself. “What does he do in the winter?”
“He stores it until the weather warms up again.” He stares at me for a beat, his eyes stroking every inch of my face before he adds, “If you want, I could show it to you. Have him let you drive it around for a bit.”
My eyes bulge. “You can’t just volunteer your friend’s car for me to use.”
“He’d do just about anything for a pretty girl, Quinny. Let alone one who looks like you. I promise you he wouldn’t put up a fight.”
The blunt compliment causes my heart to trip over itself. My pulse skips when I stare at the elevator doors just in time to watch them peel open.
“Which one of your friends is he? He’s come into the coffee shop before, right?” I ask, desperate to contain my reaction to him before he points it out.
“He’s about the same height as me but is far less handsome and has a buzzed head. And as he likes us to clarify on his behalf, it isn’t because he can’t grow it out, but because he can never settle on a style. The balding rumours are a farce.”
A strangled snort escapes me. “Thanks for the clarification.”
His grin makes my knees weak. I quickly enter the elevator and choose to stand a generous distance from where he settles. There’s something knowing in his expression when our eyes meet again, so I keep them down while he chooses the floor.
Too much has changed between us in only a few hours, and that reminder has me terrified of what’s to come.