He looked to the sky and exhaled heavily, before he leveled his gaze back on me. “The same thing I’m doing every night, Shea. Thinking about you and wondering why the hell I can’t stop.”
My stomach flipped, and I gulped for air.
“What do you want from me?”
He laughed, lifted his elbows out to his sides in a helpless gesture without pulling his hands free. “Dinner?”
Nonsensical laughter shot from me. “At three in the morning?”
“Breakfast?” he amended, a coy smile pulling at his full, crooked lips.
Tingles spread across my skin, and I ran my hands up my bare arms. “I already told you I don’t have time for distractions.”
“Come on, Shea. It’s just food. Go out with me. Just tonight.”
Somehow I knew it was a lie, even though he wanted to believe it was true.
Nervously, I glanced to the back door all the while being inexplicably drawn to this man I didn’t even know. I knew I should make a break for it, run for the safety of my little world and give him no opportunity to rip it apart.
“I am hungry,” I found myself saying. After a long night of work, it was true. But it had nothing to do with the reason I was giving in.
Because I just wanted to…
I shook my head.
That was it. I just wanted. I wanted to be in his space. I wanted to understand why he had this pull on me. I wanted him.
Even though I’d never allow myself to have him.
“Let me tell Charlie that you’re giving me a ride home. He usually takes me.”
A smile spread to take up the whole of his face, and even in the shadows, it was the most brilliant thing I’d ever seen. “Sure. I’ll wait right here.”
Rushing to the back door, I threw it open. Charlie was just starting down the hallway.
“Hey, you okay?” he asked in concern when he noticed the rattled mess I had to be.
“I think so.” I straightened myself and gave him a smile. “I just wanted to let you know I’m going to have Baz give me a ride home.”
He scowled. “What? Who’s Baz?”
“Suprema guy.” I knew that was all it would take to clue him in.
Yep, that did it. His eyes grew wide with shock, then darkened in worry. Concern crested his brow. “You sure that’s a good idea, Shea Bear?”
“Yeah, Charlie, I’m sure.”
His mouth drew into a grim line, hands on his hips, then he puffed in surrender. “Just be careful.”
“I’m not a little girl anymore. You don’t need to worry so much.”
He chuckled low. “Doesn’t mean you’re not my girl, and I’m gonna worry about you, especially with the likes of him.”
Likes of him?
But I wasn’t about to get into that with Charlie right now.
“I’ll be fine. We’re just going to grab something to eat and he’ll drop me home.”
He gave me a sure you are kind of look before he lifted his chin. “All right then.”
I turned to walk away when his voice hit me from behind. “And I expect a text from you when you get home, young lady.”
I laughed him off with a wave. “Love you, Charlie.”
“Love you more.”
Stepping back out, the door closed behind me, and I was surrounded by all that energy again, although somehow it’d lightened in the moments I’d been inside. Baz flashed me a genuine smile. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah, just let me text my roommate and tell her I’m going to be late.”
He nodded, digging the toe of his shoe into the pavement while I fumbled through my bag and pulled out my phone. I shot out a quick text to my roommate and best friend, April.
Mind if I’m a little late? Going to grab something to eat.
My phone buzzed with her response. With who?
Should have known she’d ask questions. I hardly went anywhere and she knew me well enough to know I wouldn’t do it alone, especially in the middle of the night.
A guy, will fill you in later, was all I gave her.
Wow, really? No worries here. We’re fine. Just be careful.
Seemed a lot of people had been telling me that lately.