There was a new fire in his eyes. One that had his gaze traveling to my lips. It was as if the air was whooshed out of my lungs then back in when he stared at me like that.
“Maybe.”
Chapter 5
One limoncello with my boss was a questionable idea.
Having a few more with my enemy was an even worse one.
“California Central? Yeah, I went there, too. Does the student union still have that food truck with the fish tacos?” Adrian’s voice was like a warm blanket wrapping me in a comfortable fuzz.
I don’t know when we went from talking about our backgrounds, but the more we talked, and drank, the more I found myself leaning into him and his heavenly scent of leather and woodsy cologne.
“Definitely the best Baja fish tacos this side of the boardwalk.”
“Think they’re still open right now?” He raised an eyebrow and something about the little dimple popping when he smiled had my knees turning into jelly.
“I... uh...I don’t know,” I stammered, pulling my phone out of my pocket.
When did it get to be past eight?
Shit. I had a few missed texts from my mom.
Mom: Are you coming home for dinner?
Mom: Just wondering how your first day went.
Mom: Called the animal shelter and someone named Emma said you left early with your boss for a meeting. Don’t worry, we’ll wait up so we can hear all about it.
“I need to get going home,” I muttered, quickly sending Mom a message that she was on her way.
Where the hell had the time gone?
I remembered Chance and Aubrey saying goodbye, but that wasn’t that long ago...was it?
I pushed off the bar, my knees locking.
Before I could topple to the wood floor below, a pair of strong arms enveloped my waist, straightening me against a firm chest.
Adrian’s chest.
I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the hard curves and edges of his body, molding to his dress shirt that was now firmly pressed against my back.
“Whoa, I don’t think you should drive after that many drinks. Let me get us some food and then I’ll take you home.”
My hazy brain liked that idea, my shoulders slumping back against his chest.
But the better part of me straightened up, shaking my head as I slowly pulled away, balancing my hands on the back of the bar stool. “No, it’s totally fine. My mom has food waiting and it’s only a couple of blocks from here. I can walk.”
I opened my eyes to watch his gaze rack from the top of my head, down to my heels. “You’re going to walk a couple of blocks in that? No way in hell. I’m driving you.”
I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “Don’t get all caveman on me. I can walk.”
His hand shot out, gripping onto my bicep. My shoulders tightened as I widened my eyes, staring up at his tightened jaw. “I believe you can do anything, Melanie. But what kind of guy would I be if I just let you walk home alone at night?”
“Uh, one who I just met a few hours ago and probably wants me to get in the car so we can get frisky, which is not going to happen, sir.” I tried to make my voice stern, but the more I met that caramel-colored gaze of his, the more that jelly feeling in my knees was back.
He groaned, the sexy growl coming from his curled lips turned my knees into something other than jelly. Definitely something else I needed to tamp down.
“I’m not trying to get in your damn panties. If I wanted to, I wouldn’t need to get you drunk or force you into that.”
I took a step back, frowning as I tried to ignore the heavy thudding in my heart that had slammed into my stomach. “Oh, hell no. Just because we had a few drinks and talked doesn’t mean I’ll sleep with you. Ever.”
I pushed my phone into my pocket and straightened my jacket. “And on that note, I’ll bid you goodnight, Mr. Chase.”
I spun on my heel, heading toward the exit, but even though I kept my eyes on the wall ahead, I could still feel his presence. Hear the footfalls of his expensive loafers.
The sun had just started to set over the mountains, dotting the sky in a kaleidoscope of pinks and orange.
Under normal circumstances it might have even been a calm, breezy night for a walk. But not when I had a demanding man with wire framed glasses at my back.
“Look, my car is right there. You can even sit in the backseat while I drive if it makes you more comfortable.”
I glanced at the lot where Frankie’s moped was parked next to a sleek black sports car.
“Does that thing even have a backseat?” I asked, my voice wavering.
I had to stop talking and giving into him. Better to just keep moving.
“Not big enough for the two of us if you’re thinking about it.”
I scoffed. “Goodnight, Adrian.”
I thought maybe he’d given up when I closed my eyes, not hearing him behind me anymore.
Slowly I opened my eyes and the roar of a car blared behind me.
“Finally,” I muttered under my breath and took a few steps onto the sidewalk.
“So where are we headed.”
I froze, slowly turning toward the voice.
Adrian leaned out of the car window, one hand on the wheel, the other on the door, that dimpled smirk clearly painted on his face like he won something.
“I told you, I’m not getting in the car.” I crossed my arms over my chest, looking straight ahead instead of back at his sleek car or that damn smile.
“It’s nice and air conditioned in here. I could even put some music on while we drive to the food truck,” he pleaded, the car going at a snail’s pace beside me.
“No, thank you.”
“You know, you really shouldn’t be walking alone at night. A lot of weirdoes out there.”
“Says the guy following me and yelling out of his car window.”
“See? Makes sense. You should just get in the car.”
He continued moving next to me, even has I turned the corner down Elm.
As we approached the set of palms near the entrance to my neighborhood, realization sobered me.
“You really need to leave.”
I turned toward him, watching the lines in his forehead furrow. “Why? Got a boyfriend who you don’t want to see me?”
I snorted but covered my mouth so maybe he wouldn’t hear it. Though it was pretty obvious by his following smile that he did. “No, not at all.”
“Afraid if I see where you live, we might have future Romeo and Juliet moments and I’ll come to your balcony?”
“I’m sure my dad would love that.”
His eyes bulged. “You live with your parents.”
Letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding in, my shoulders slumped forward. “Yeah. Yeah, I do. And they won’t exactly like it if they see a stranger in a Jaguar following their daughter home.”
“Should I get out and walk you in then? Do the gentleman thing and introduce myself?”
Thrusting my hands forward with my palms toward him, I shook my head fiercely. “No. Please don’t. Okay? Can we just call it a night here?”
“What if I’m not ready for my night with you to end?” he asked, sliding the car into park before he leaned forward, both hands on the side of the car.
In the light of the setting sun his hair had turned to a more sandy brown color, his glasses reflecting the same shady brown of his eyes.