He’s smiling as he turns the wheel and we start driving through the parking garage.
Neither of us speaks until we’ve exited the garage and are headed down the highway.
“So what’s your big plan for tonight?” I ask him.
He just smiles. That real genuine Jared smile he only reserves for those in his inner circle.
And I melt. My heart is normally so guarded. I have good reason after the way my stepdad treated my mom. So I don’t let my guard down for just anyone.
But with Jared, I’ve always been a sucker for that smile of his.
“You’re so damn cute,” I mutter.
“What’s that, Hill?” His smile shifts to the cocky kind, the one I always run from. “Did you just say I’m cute?”
“Like a little boy,” I snap. “You’re cute the way a kid is when you want to pat their head and tell them ‘good job’ for doing so well at something.”
He shakes his head with a chuckle. “You’re a terrible liar.”
“What do you mean?” I shift to face his profile as he drives. “How am I lying right now?”
“You find me attractive, and you wish you didn’t,” he says simply. “So you make up stories in your head about looking at me like a little boy. When sometimes—like right now—you really look at me like you want to rip off my clothes.”
I suck air in through my gritted teeth. “Do not,” I force out.
“Do too,” he counters. “You were looking at me like that at the bar too. After a couple of drinks, you’re worse at hiding it.”
Oh shit, I hate how well he knows me.
“You drive me mad.” I turn back and stare out the windshield at the city lights passing us by.
“Speaking of,” he says casually. “I’m not seeing anyone while you and I are living together.”
CHAPTERELEVEN
I whip my head over to him again. “What do you mean? You and I aren’t sleeping together for real.”
“I know that. But I still feel like I’d be cheating on you if I went on a date with another woman while you and I are sharing a bed.”
“Oh.” That’s sweet of him, but still… “I don’t know. It feels awkward.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s us. We shared a bed as teenagers, and you still went on dates. So did I.”
“I guess I feel like this time is different.”
There go those butterflies swooping through my stomach again. I may as well call them Jared butterflies since he’s the only man that can affect me this way.
“Fine,” I say noncommittally.
“Fine? So you agree?”
“Sure. I won’t see anyone else either while we’re sharing the cabin.”
“Okay.”
Jared puts on his blinker, and we take the next exit.
