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“I didn’t ask for help.”

“I know.”

It shouldn't have sounded that gentle. I tugged against his grip to remind myself I was still annoyed.

Supposedly.

“You can’t just pay my bills.”

“Seems like I already did.” The corner of his mouth lifted.

I made a frustrated sound, and his eyes gleamed with amusement—which only made everything worse. “You’re unbelievable.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

I stepped closer without meaning to, and he noticed. Of course he noticed. Lane always noticed everything about me. The realization registered at exactly the same moment his gaze dropped to my lips again.

The world narrowed, just a little, as his thumb grazed the inside of my wrist. Every sensible thought disappeared. Neither of us spoke. For one heart-stopping second, it seemed as though he were going to kiss me. Part of me wanted him to. That thought alone sent me shoving at his chest, not hard, just enough to shatter the fragile moment between us.

“You had no right.”

Frustration flashed across his face, his other hand found my waist and turned us both before I could retreat.

My back met the side of the house with a soft thud, knocking the breath from my lungs. Lane planted one hand beside my shoulder, close enough to make my pulse jump. Not trapping me. Not touching me.

Just a breath away.

Close enough that I could smell soap and sawdust and whatever impossible thing made him smell like home. Every nerve in my body lit up.

“You want to know why I paid it?”

“Because you’re a menace.”

A laugh rumbled in his chest.

“Because I can.”

He said it like the answer was obvious.

I opened my mouth.

His voice softened. “Cali, I made more money before I was thirty than either of us could spend in three lifetimes.”

I glared harder. “That doesn’t make it okay.”

“It makes the electric bill insignificant.” He shrugged.

“It matters to me.”

His expression softened, which somehow felt far more dangerous than the teasing. “I know it does.”

The words sank in quietly, which made me irrationally emotional. I hated that.

“I don’t need you rescuing me.”

His eyes searched mine, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. The air shifted between us, and his eyes made me forget how to fight. Slowly, he leaned closer, not enough to kiss me, but close enough that I forgot how to breathe. My pulse thundered in my ears.

“You’re going to drive me crazy.”