I felt my cheeks blush before he spoke. “If you want to pay me back, that’s fine. But I’m not taking your money.”
I quirked an eyebrow. “I don’t do sexual favors.”
His eyes darkened. “Why the fuck would you think I’d ask for something like that?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Just figured I’d be upfront with it.”
He took a step toward me. “Has anyone ever asked you for payment like that?”
A shiver slid down my spine. “N—no? But, I mean?—”
My back thumped against my car before his hand came to rest beside my head. “What I meant was, I saw you pick up two pepperoni pizza Lunchables earlier.”
I could hardly breathe. “Uh huh.”
“They’re my favorite.”
My voice was breathless. “Yeah?”
He nodded. “I figured, I’d follow you home. Make sure your car doesn’t give you any more issues. You thank me for doing all of this by inviting me in, and we have a Lunchable together while you show me your favorite video game.”
Was he being serious?
I stared up at him for a very long time. His broad shoulders, blocking out the sunlight. Those green eyes, sparkling with a darkness I hadn’t seen in them yet.
Why did I want to see more?
“Okay,” I whispered with a nod of my head.
I could tell he was smiling behind that mask. “I’ll ride where you lead, Jasmine.”
I ignored the way my heart skipped a beat as he slid his arm around my waist. He pulled me against him, which effectively pulled me away from my vehicle. I gasped softly, my hands pressing against his abs that I felt beneath his shirt.
His thick, chiseled abs.
I heard my door open behind me.
“Thank you,” I said before clearing my throat, trying to find its sound again.
He took my hand and helped me into my car. “No thanks needed. Just try not to lose me at the stoplights.”
But something told me that even if I tried to do that, he’d still find me.
He struck me as the kind of man that would always find me.
And while part of me found that insane, the other part found it… comforting.
I couldn’t wait to show him all that Stardew Valley had to offer in terms of game playthrough.
11
GHOST
My head was on a constant swivel, checking for anything or anyone that could have followed her. Only this time, I didn’t have to conceal myself. At stoplights, I sat up straight on my bike, my head sitting where the tops of most cars were. When we rode, I swerved all around her, getting up to her windows and waving at her.
Even through the windows of her vehicle, I saw that bright smile of hers.
And every time she waved back at me, I smiled beneath my mask.
