Page 76 of A Little Broken

Now, if I can only figure out how to zip this thing up…

“Tatum, wait up,” a masculine voice calls. Pax rounds the corner of the house, his heavy cock hanging between his legs as he stumbles toward me. I kind of figured he would’ve gottendressed before chasing after me—if he wanted to chase after me at all—but I’m not complaining about the view.

“Let me give you a ride home,” he offers.

A ride? He honestly thinks I’d let him give me a ride home after all of this? The thought alone is laughable, but I keep my amusement in check, announcing, “Aaaand here it is.” I tear my attention from his bottom half and pop out my hip. “Proof you really don’t know me at all.”

Prying his attention from my body the same way I’d been eyeing his, he meets my gaze. “I know I pushed you too far. I get it. But I can’t let you hitchhike home. Especially not looking likethis.”

His eyes fall to my mostly naked body, and I shouldn’t be flattered. I’m not. Okay, I kind of am, but only because it’s nice to be appreciated. Even so, I’m still in this position because of him. His manipulation tactic. His bullheadedness. His pride.

“You know, what? You are totally right.” I give him my back and peek over my shoulder. “Mind zipping me up?”

Confusion shines in his toasty gaze, but he gives me a slow nod and moves closer. His fingers skate across my bare skin right above my ass before he grasps the zipper and tugs it along my spine. When his hot breath hits the back of my neck, I catch myself holding my own, and I force the oxygen from my lungs.

Stay strong, Tatum!

“Perfect,” I quip. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

I take a step toward the driveway, but he reaches for my arm, stalling me. “Tate?—”

“I’m not half-naked anymore,” I point out. “So, you can let me go.”

“Tatum.” It’s a curse, though he’s not the first to find that particular inflection when saying my name. It only feeds my resolve as he scrubs his hand over his face, looking defeated. “Do youwantto get kidnapped and murdered?”

“If it gets me away from you? Sure,” I reply wryly.

“Just—grr!” He groans, and it’s clear I’ve pushed him past his limit as he looks up at the navy sky hanging above us. “If you won’t let me give you a ride, at least take my keys.”

“What?”

“Here.” He lifts his hand, showing a set of car keys. “They were in my pocket by the hot tub. Take them.”

Is he serious?

“I’m not taking your car,” I argue.

“Do I need to throw you over my shoulder like a toddler?” he grumbles under his breath.

“Do I really need to threaten your balls again?” I toss back at him.

“You win, Birthday Girl.” He sighs. “You win, but I still need you safe, and since you’ve already made it clear you won’t let me drive you home, take my car.”

“And how will you get it back?” I challenge.

“You can keep it for all I care.”

I scoff. “Whatever.”

“Take the keys, Tatum,” he begs. “I’ll figure out logistics later. Please?”

Tatum. Please.

Two words I’m not sure I’ve ever heard him say. Before I can let myself overthink anything, I grab the fob from his hand, ignoring the brush of his fingers against mine as I steel my shoulders in an attempt to appear unaffected, but damn, is it hard. Forcing my expression to remain indifferent, I murmur, “Goodnight,boss.”

“See you at work, Birthday Girl.”

The softness in his voice catches me off guard and only frustrates me more.

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