As we headed back to the city, my irritation from earlier in the day, after finding Aaron hitting on Charli, had finally dissipated. Her smile, her excitement were so worth the park trip.
But annoyance at myself still lingered that she’d militantly worked the yard. Hell, I didn’t care about the damn weeds. I thought she’d skip them and do the easy ones. But she had to make a point and tire herself. I only wanted her company. Had I told herthat, then she would have dug her heels in and refused to give me the time of day.
“You’re quiet,” she said as I drove through Pacific Heights’ quiet streets and past the massive mansions. I glanced at her and found her stroking the sloth on her lap like it was a pet.
“Ah, thinking about your plans for later, huh?”
And she was back to baiting me. “Yes, getting home and crashing for the night, extremely exciting stuff.”
“What, no tail tonight?” she asked, eyes wide with fake shock, lips parted. And I wanted to kiss that tormenting mouth so badly.
“No, I’m after something much better,” I shot back, slowing to a halt in front of her house. “Myhashtaggirlfriend.”
An eye roll followed. “Yeah, right.”
“Deny it all you want, but this fire between uswillbe sated, Blue.”
My bluntness had her jaw dropping. I exited the truck and headed around to her side. She still gaped at me as I opened her door. Apparently, I’d finally stumped her into silence. Good.
I unbuckled the seat belt, grasped her by the waist, and brought her down, keeping her caged between the Escalade and me.
“What, cat got your tongue?” I provoked softly. Head lowered, I trailed my mouth along her jaw to her earlobe, gently tugging it with my lips. Her skin tasted of warm woman, and the scent of my shower gel she’d used crowded my nose. Her breathing hitched, then it rushed out, grazing my skin, stirring my senses with a growing need. Hell, nothing new there. She affected me in this way from the moment we met.
I lifted my head. Her eyes, wide and dark, glittered beneath the streetlight—with desire or plans for my murder, who knew with her?—but I let my mouth hover a whisper away from hers. “It’s good you agree with me—”
She reared back like a scalded kitten.
“Never!” She stormed off, rounding the hood. Then she spun around, stopping on the other side of the truck. “Oh, there is an all-consuming blaze going on,” she tossed at me sweetly, those brown eyes spitting ire. “Only inyour…er, head.”
“Liar,” I taunted, strolling over to her.
“If you think I’m going to be another notch on your, er, hockey stick, dream on, Ace!” Then she sauntered across the street, sloth swinging from her hand, its legs almost dragging on the ground.
Huffing out a laugh, I got into the driver’s seat and shut the door. I didn’t expect any less from my sharp-tongued urchin. But I had to find a way to convince Charli to continue with what she started on Instagram.
She’d softened a little while at the amusement park, but that hadn’t been the right time to bring it up. This needed careful handling. I watched her reach the massive gates and frowned, a thought taking hold. Hell, she was too impulsive, and chances were, I’d wake up in the morning and find out she’d put up another message on her Instagram, saying it was a damn joke.
And I wanted a chance for something more, somethingrealwith her.
I slid my window down to call out, then changed my mind, got my cell from the console, and texted her instead.We need to talk.
That, hopefully, should keep her wondering about what.
I started my truck and left the engine idling while I waited to see her enter her home safely. As she opened the side gate to the mansion, a cab approached and slowed, stopping near Charli. But she was looking at her cell, reading my text, I hoped.
The taxi doors opened. A petite blonde in a red pantsuit glided out, and a lanky, older man with dark hair and a deep tan joined her.
“Charlotte!” I could hear the smile in the woman’s voice.
Charli swung around. I couldn’t see her expression clearly, but she seemed to freeze. “I want to introduce you to someone,” the blonde said excitedly. “This is Matteo.” She hooked her arm through the man’s. “My—”
“No…no…” Charli shook her head, taking a step back, then another, her back hitting the gate frame. “You didn’t, tell me you didn’t?”
I frowned.Didn’t what?
“Charlotte—”
“How could you?” she yelled, clearly upset. “You promised!”
