Page 12 of Stolen Summer

“Did you not hear that I said I was in a hurry? I’m late for work.” No thanks to you, I added silently and started walking on the side of our street.

Cole followed beside me.

I cast him a sidelong glance, an exasperated sigh on my lips. “What are you doing?”

“Walking you to work. Turns out I’m hungry.”

I halted and whirled. Perhaps a bit too fast. By the time Cole realized I’d stopped, he bumped into me, our fronts colliding. His hands went straight to my hips, and an image of the other night in the pool flashed through my memory. He leaned in, and I caught the faintest whiff of alcohol. Normally, the scent churned my stomach, inducing a combination of panic and rage.

I waited for my emotions to get the best of me.

His fingers pressed lightly into my hips.

Jerking back, I moved away from his too warm hands. “What can I do to get you to leave me alone?”

His lips curved at the corners, and the fact my curt tone amused him spiked my blood pressure. He angled his head to the side. “Have breakfast with me.”

“Everything about your expression tells me that’s a lie.”

He chuckled, rocking back on his heels. “So, is that a yes?”

The movement drew my eyes to the tattoos on his arms. I licked my lips, tasting the gloss I hurriedly slapped on before rushing out. “What do you want?” I demanded.

“So much, Arie.” With a haunting smirk, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Do you still have my shirt? The one you stole the other night.”

The reminder he’d seen me naked lit a flame of embarrassment. I shook my head as the wind kicked up, breaking free the blue-tinted tendrils of hair he had just tucked away. “Go home, Cole. Get some sleep.”

One side of his mouth curled up in a roguish smile. “I would if I could get the picture of you in my pool out of my head.”

I glanced around to make sure no one had heard him. As if I needed more rumors about me started around town. “Are you still drunk?” I hissed, lowering my voice.

“I wish I was. Let me give you a ride to work.”

“Not going to happen,” I started walking again. “I have strict rules about getting in cars with guys who look like you.”

His damn smile grew, the gold flecks in his eyes catching on sunlight. “And just how do I look?”

In no world did Cole Riley not know or think he was God’s gift to women. Hell, probably all people. “Like trouble. I have enough problems. I’ll get the shirt back to you tonight. I don’t have time to run back inside the house. Happy?”

“Did you sleep in it?” he purred.

“What?” I blinked, unable to believe I’d heard him correctly. He wouldn’t have the audacity to ask such a question. Would he?

He had. And the grin beaming on his face was like the sun breaking through the storm clouds. “You did. Good. I want it to smell like you when you return it.”

“In that case, I’ll make sure to wash it first,” I replied snidely. At this rate, I’d never get to work.

“You’re cruel, Quinn.”

“Does that shit actually work on girls?” It was an honest question. Something about Cole baffled me and yet at the same time piqued my curiosity.

“You tell me?”

I plowed ahead, my jaw clenching. “I can’t figure out if you are trying to be charming or creepy.”

“I’ll see you after work, Quinn.” He winked before turning around and going back the way we came from. I didn’t bother to glance over my shoulder, but something in his tone left me with a lingering feeling that stayed with me. I couldn’t figure out if it was fear, dread, or excitement. Maybe a bit of all three.

I made it two blocks from the diner when heavy rains plunged from the gathered clouds of darkness, drenching me to the bone.

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