“I’ll give you a ride,” I blurt.
Wait, what?
Jeremy’s fingers freeze on the strap on his throat. “You drove here? Don’t you live close?”
I shrug. “I park at the garage near the pub because the monthly rate is cheaper.”
He gives me an incredulous look. “Why would you want to give me a ride?”
I grit my teeth. “One, I’m not an asshole. And, two, it’s wet and dark, and you and I both know that Seattleites ironically can’t drive for shit in the rain.”
That comment earns me a smile, and I like the way it makes me feel a bit lighter than I did before.
“I can’t leave Peter out here.”
I frown. “Who’s Peter?”
“My bike, obviously.”
“You named your bike Peter?”
“Peter Parker. After Spider-Man.”
I stare at him with my mouth open before I catch myself, rubbing my hand over my lips to hide the reaction. “I have a truck. We can take . . . Peter.”
Jeremy looks around like he might find an excuse lying on the cracked sidewalk. “I—” He sighs. “I guess so.”
“Jesus. Try not to sound so grateful,” I snark, turning on my heel to head into the parking garage.
Jeremy pushes his bike behind me with an annoyed grunt. “Don’t act like you’re doing me a favor.”
I produce my resident key card and buzz us in. I slow down as I walk between cars, and Jeremy’s bike tire snips the heel of my shoe, pulling it down. I growl and turn, and Jeremy meets my stare, unmoving. Even under the dull fluorescent lights, he looks otherworldly.
I want to touch him, but that would be super inappropriate, so I shake my head to clear whatever the fuck is happening in my brain. These errant thoughts are ridiculous. Is this what alcohol does to me now? Makes me want someone I shouldn’t?
“Sorry,” Jeremy mumbles. “Accident.”
It didn’t seem like it was an accident, and my frustration escalates because now it feels like he’s antagonizing me. I hit the remote start on my truck, and it roars to life behind me.
Jeremy rolls his eyes. “Is that supposed to impress me?”
I ignore him and walk around to the back, opening the tailgate to load in his bike. He brings it around, and I reach for it, and our knuckles graze.
“Be careful. It’s an e-bike, so it’s kind of heavy.”
“I can handle it.” I snatch the bike from him, but it is, in fact, much heavier than I expect, and I stumble into the tailgate. I hiss in pain.
Jeremy smirks. “Told you.”
“You’re a fucking brat,” I retort as I right myself. I load the bike in the back and rub my sore butt.
“Tell me how you really feel. Maybe if you’d just listened?—”
My patience shatters, and I step forward, my hand gripping Jeremy’s throat. I resist the urge to squeeze. I don’t want to hurt him, but, damn, this kid has a smart mouth, and I like it way too much.
Jeremy’s eyes dilate, and his breath catches. I feel himswallow beneath my palm. My brain short-circuits, and desire swells hot and heavy below my waist. Desire that I don’t understand.
Jeremy can’t move, but somehow his lips are getting closer.
