I sighed, tucking the lock box under my arm, and jumped upa few times, trying to find the pull chain of the light over the counter.
Patrick watched, smirking with amusement as my handflailed, and he asked, “Are you going to ask for help, or are you justgonnacontinuehoppin’ aroundlike an idiot?”
With a whole new level of determination, I clambered ontothe counter, and with the added height, I pulled the chain effortlessly,leaving us in near-darkness.
“Ah, wouldyalook at that? Youfigured it out. Good for you,” he said, patting me on the shoulder.
“Yes, good for me,” I snickered, pathetic triumph seepingthrough my smirk.
While kneeling on the counter, the added height put my eyeson level with his. He took a step forward, smiling with those dimples, deepenedin shadows cast by the streetlamps. I could smell him, the cologne he wore. Icould feel the warmth radiating from his sun-freckled skin.
“This is very handy. No need to get any cricks in my neck,”he said, leaning in.
He edged his mouth close enough to barely brush his lipsagainst mine before I reeled myself back, reminding my body that we weren’tsupposed to like him.
I scooted off the counter to hurry out of the store. But ofcourse, he kept up with my fast pace easily with his long gazelle legs, and ahand pressed to the small of my back as we left through the rear entrance. Itseemed impossible that he could simultaneously disgust and arouse with onegesture, one touch, but there it was. I wanted to jump on him and rip my skinoff at the same time, just to keep from being tainted for another eternity, butI did neither. I just kept walking to my car, fully aware of that hand,scorching my skin with every step taken.
When we reached the middle of the parking lot, he stoppedabruptly, seizing my shirt in his hand. I jerked forward, almost dropping thebox. I imagined the echoed clatter of metal against asphalt, and I spun aroundto glare up at him, my nose and brow wrinkling in anger.
“What the fuck, Patrick!”
“I just remembered my truck is out front.”
With a sudden dawning of realization, I shook my headslowly. “Oh, no, pal. I don’t think so. We arenotdriving together.You’re lucky I even agreed to doing this.”
“Yeah,y’know, I waswonderin’ about that. Whydidyou agree?” His handswere pocketed, and he leaned forward, flashing that little strip of toned skin.“I mean, you seemed to not have any problemsayin’ nofor the past two years, so …”
“I just finally wanted you off my back.”
Such a liar.
The truth was, I did have a problem saying no. I did have aproblem looking up at that strong jawline, stubbled chin, and those eyes, andtelling him I wanted nothing to do with him. Because the truth was, I wantedeverything to do with him, and I wanted nothing more than to stop seeing thethings he did to make me run away. To stop blaming myself for the things Ithrew away.
Patrick rolled his lips between his teeth and noddedslowly. Too slowly. His blueish-green eyes stared up at the streetlamp we stoodunder, and a little smile played on his lips.
“What?” I demanded.
“You’relyin’, but that’s okay.”
He pulled a hand from his pocket and grabbed my arm, fingersimprinting their presence against my skin and lighting a fire somewhere betweenmy stomach and groin. He gently tugged me along, and I tugged back.
“I’m not driving with you,” I insisted, as my feet began tomove with his.
“Really? Doesn’t look that way.”
He was right. It really didn’t.
I looked down at my shuffling feet.Traitors.
?
“Where are we going?”
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat as the truck sputteredalong the only main road in River Canyon. What a small, stupid town. It had a realCheersthing about it—where everybody knows your name, and all that. Wehad a love-hate relationship, River Canyon and me. I loved it for beingfamiliar, I loved it for holding everything that meant everything, and I hatedit for all those reasons too.
Patrick didn’t say anything. He just hummed that song,“Sweet Thing” by Van Morrison. He kept his elbow against the ledge of the openwindow, running his hand through his wind-blown hair. His other hand grippedthe steering wheel, both eyes stayed on the road, but he wore this smile. Aconfident smile that left me both irritated and curious.
What are you up to,Patrickinney?
