His question projected through the small opening in thewindow.
“I’mprotectingyou.”
“Oh, because it really seems like you’re locking me in. Are you at least going to leavethekeys?”
“And let you steal my car? I don’tthinkso.”
“Really,Emma?”
“What? If there’s an emergency, you can still open thedoors.”
“And I’ll set off the alarm and get arrested. Remember you promised me earlier today that I wouldn’t go to jail. And what if I need to takeapiss?”
“Stick it out the window.” I shrugged, trying to keep the amusement offmyface.
“You didn’t give me a big enough crack.” Finngrinned.
“Oh,right.”
“You see where I was goingwiththat?”
“Ah, yes.” I nodded, smiling. “The big dickreference.”
“Just say the word, and all this could be yours,” he said holding his arms totheside.
I pushed the key through the crack. “If you steal my ride, I’ll huntyoudown.”
* * *
Imissed him.How weird was that? A chill rattled my body, and as I went to turn down the air conditioner, I glanced around the room at all the nothingness. Precision tucked sheets, perfectly fluffed pillows, and bleach-white towels double-layered on the rack. Quiet, cold, uninviting. When I’d checked in earlier in the day, I hadn’t noticed its anemic frostiness, but now it was glaringly obvious… this room was as sterile and rigid as I was. How had I become so bland? I never wanted this. When I’d made the decision all those years ago to live my life alone, it didn’t mean I had to bundle myself up into a box and stop feeling. A well of regret bubbled up as sadness enveloped me. Why was I like this? When had the color faded from my world? And what had changed since I’d walked through these doors earlier intheday?
The tiniest little spark had ignited my spirit. It would be easy to say it was Finn who’d awakened me, and in a way he had, but when it came right down to it, I gave the credit to a sparkling, spinning wheel in the sky. As stupid as it sounded, that moment, suspended high above the ground in a rickety basket with the arms of a patient man wrapped around me… I’d seen the light. Sure, I’d been afraid – petrified, even – but that wasn’t the only emotion I’d felt. The pounding heart, the thrill… I feltalive, really, truly alive for the first time since caution had blanketed my potential all thoseyearsago.
Still, I knew my limit, and Finn, with all his sweet, sexy charm, was it. He was the affable guy I avoided at all costs, and for good reason. I could already feel the difference with him and not just on a physical level. Our chemistry was undeniably electric, but that wasn’t what concerned me. No, it was the fact that after only a few hours of knowing him, I’d inexplicably introduced Finn to my real self, flaws and all. And he hadn’t shied away. He even seemed to welcome my quirks. How was that possible? And why was I suddenly feeling so cold and alonewithouthim?
Maybe I should invite him up. It seemed stupid for him to be sleeping in my car when I had a perfectly good couch to crash on. I could control my desires. I’d been doing it all my life. Except Finn radiated heat… hot, sweaty heat. And although I knew he could warm me up, I also knew he had the ability to make me fall hard for him, and that terrified me. I absolutely could not lower my guard around him. No sex withFinn.Ever.
Peering out the window, I wondered what he was doing now. Was he too hot? Did he have enough air? Was he uncomfortable? I imagined those long legs of his folded up against the glove compartment. This was ridiculous. We were adults and could repress our lust for one night so Finn could at least be comfortable. I could just go down there and lay it out for him. Friends. That’s all I’d allow us to be. I’d be clear with my intentions, and let the choice be his of whether that was enough for him. That way he could have a good night’s sleep, I could remain a barren maiden, and the room would instantly warm with his welcomecompanionship.
With that in mind, I slipped on my shoes and headed back outthedoor.
Travis, one of Jake’s security guys, was sitting on a chair beside theelevator.
“You pulled the night shift, huh? That sucks,” I said. “You catch anyrunners?”
“Not yet. We had a few who tried the stairs, but they didn’t get far. Where are you going at two in themorning?”
The elevator door opened and I stepped in. “None of your business.” I smiled. “And I’ll be back soon, with a friend. You better not sayaword.”
“You insult me.” Travis grinned. “I’m aprofessional.”
“I know that. I’m just asking you to be a quietprofessional.”
The glowing lightemanating from inside my car told me Finn was still awake. I crept up slowly, determined to give his heart a little extraexcitement.
Bang.Bang.Bang. I transformed my voice into a menacing growl as I smacked my hands on the hood ofthecar.
“Holy shit!” Finn screamed, shooting up in his seat, his eyes awash in fear and confusion, and it took him a moment to recognize that it was me staring at him through the slats of thewindow.
