“Tell me your address,” I told him as I cued up the GPS on my screen.
“I could just tell you how to get there, Em. I’m not that drunk that I don’t know where I live.”
“But in case you pass out on the way there, I need your address. Pretty please with sugar.” I forced a tight smile and narrowed my eyes.
He leaned forward and entered his address with slow stabs of his finger.
“There,” he said, peeling my hand off the steering wheel and bringing it to his lips. “Since you asked so damn nicely.”
My eyes sank shut, the wet warmth of his mouth and the scratch of his stubble getting to me in ways they shouldn’t have tonight. The urge to kiss away all his troubles and make it better shouldn’t have been so overwhelming, another reason why I needed to get him home as soon as possible.
I slipped my hand away and pulled out of the parking lot, hoping the GPS was right and Jesse’s condo was only twenty minutes away, and praying he would make it that long.
I kept my eye on him in my periphery as his head swung back and forth over the headrest.
“Seriously, though,” I said, tapping his leg to make sure he didn’t nod off when he became quiet. “What would you have done if I hadn’t been there?”
“I wouldn’t have driven anywhere, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I know that. But you were alone. That’s dangerous.”
“I guess if I was still awake, I could’ve kept trying Caden.” He laughed to himself. “Ah, see, I told you I wasn’t parent material. I fuck up all the time.”
“Jesse,” I started, more relief flooding through me as the GPS told me the destination was only a mile away. “This has nothing to do with that.”
“Yes, yes, it does. I shouldn’t be a parent. I should be an uncle. But I’m not an uncle. I’m a father because my sister is dead.”
His words were laced with so much anguish and anger, I wondered if he’d ever had the chance to feel his sister’s loss, or if he’d even allowed himself to.
I pulled into a spot in front of his condo and shut off the engine. He seemed slightly more alert as he blinked his eyes open. When he reached for the door handle, he managed to unlock it, but I feared he’d face-plant right into the grass when he tried to step out.
“Stay there,” I told him, curling my hand around his bicep to pull him back. “I’ll help you.”
I raced over to his side and pulled his door the rest of the way open. He managed to push off the seat and stand on his own, but I had the bad feeling he was either going to be unconscious or sick very soon.
“Give me your keys,” I said, crooking my finger at him.
“I can open my door, Emily,” he growled, stumbling when he glanced back at me.
“I’m sure you usually could. Don’t make me go into your pocket and get them, Evans.”
“Is that supposed to be a threat?” He arched a tipsy brow at me. “A beautiful woman putting her hand down my pants?” Hesnickered as he stepped in front of me, holding up his arms. “Go get them, gorgeous.”
His eyes narrowed to slits, simmering with lust and want and so many things I couldn’t give in to. Not like this.
Judging by his behavior and words tonight, the booze had loosened up all the feelings Jesse held back. Even if he meant what he was saying, he wouldn’t be so open and brazen about it once his brain cleared.
I slipped a hand inside his pants pocket, feeling for his keys while trying not to feel for anything else. I blew out a relieved breath when my finger slid along a hard metal groove. I managed to slip them out of his pocket quickly while I kept my eyes on his door, not his face.
I didn’t want to waste precious time arguing, but so much of this felt wrong, both the way he wanted me to touch him and listening to what he wouldn’t have wanted me to hear.
I’d take care of him and make sure he was safe. He’d be mortified he’d put me in this position tomorrow—if he remembered it. The key opened both locks, and I eased the door open, pushing Jesse in front of me to get him inside first, and locked the door behind me.
“Okay, while you’re more or less awake,” I said, throwing the keys on his side table, “let’s get you changed and into bed.”
“I like this take-charge Emily.” He came toward me, exaggerating each small step, and wove his hand into my hair. “I’ll be your good boy tonight.” A crooked smile curved his lips.
“Jesse, stop,” I sighed, cringing when I spotted steps behind him. “I’m guessing your bedroom is upstairs. Can you make it, or do you want to lie on the couch while I get your clothes?”
