“What!” Oh god, kill me now. What’s the date again? I’m usually like clockwork.Shit, shit, shit.I’ve been so stressed and I left yesterday in such a hurry. “I’m going to burn down Tally’s. I really think I will.”
Beck lets out that raspy laugh and his hands loosen around my waist, but doesn’t let go yet. “Ya know, I can’t say I wouldn’t light the match for ya, Killer, but let’s hold off for today. I got you.”
I. Got. You.
He lets go and pulls his long sleeve athletic shirt over his head then his arms come back around caging me in between him and the shirt. “Turn around,” he commands.
Turning on my heels ever so slowly, I hold my breath until I meet those green eyes. The slight tug up on his lips tells me everything I need to know, he’s not one bit deterred by this—completely happy just being able to help.
He ties the sleeves into a tight knot. “There.”
I look from the knot to Beck’s bare arms as chills appear. “Beck, you didn’t—it’s cold and you?—”
Beck raises an eyebrow and gives me that smirk. “Worrying about me? See, Jennie, I knew you liked me.”
Yeah, I do, and that’s part of the problem.
He just did one of the sweetest gestures that anyone has ever done for me and he’s being so nonchalant about it. Like this wasn’t something that has my heart racing.
I push back from him. “No, worried is a bit of a stretch. I feel like we’re going to need some ground rules moving forward. I’m using you for a place to stay and not lose my dog. Don’t get this confused with anything more.”
Beck nods his head slowly. “Right, right. Tell me, Jennie, how is it living in your delusion?”
“It’s nice, you’re hardly even thought of there.” I start walking, not waiting or caring for his response.
Beck jogs up next to me but doesn’t speak to me. He looks down at Dottie walking in between us. “Your mom likes me, doesn’t she? She just doesn’t show it like you do.”
Dottie barks and prances at his feet while we walk. Damn dog is a traitor.
“And I’m the delusional one.”I am. I so am.
I see Beck look over at me from the corner of my eye. I don’t have to see more to know he’s got that damn smirk on his face. “Oh, I’m definitely delusional. And so desperate.”
I bite the inside of my lip to stop the smile. Looking away from him to the waterfront, I mumble. “You forgot stalker.”
“That too, but you’re so into it.”
I pin him with a glare. “Do you want me to hurt your feelings? I will, if that’s what it takes.”
Beck holds up his hands in surrender. “I get it, you’re not ready to admit it. Let’s just get your stuff moved into my place,and then you can set those ground rules thatyou,for some reason, need.”
My steps slow ever so slightly. Dammit, this is not going to end well.
Chapter 11
Beck
“I still can’t get past the fact that you drive a truck,” Jensen grumbles as she climbs in the front seat.
“And I still don’t understand why. It’s a form of transportation.” I open the back door for Dottie to jump in. She asked about it on the way here. I get that a lot of athletes have fancy cars, but it’s not like this isn’t a brand-new truck.
Jensen turns around to scratch Dottie’s head. “I know that. I just thought you’d drive something flashier. It’s also a normal truck, not something jacked up with tacky lights and obnoxiously loud. You know, something that screams ‘I’m overcompensating for my small, pierced dick.’”
Gah, her smart mouth gets me every time. “It’s good to know you still think about my dick.”
“Yeah, thinking about how tiny it has to be really brings a smile to my face.”
I snort a laugh before closing the back door then rounding the truck to get in the driver’s seat. I lean over the console and hold Jensen’s eyes in a serious stare. “It’s not about the size, it’s how you use it.”
