Page 6 of Rock

CHAPTER

THREE

Ican’t believe this is happening.

Lyla held on to Rock for dear life. She was both scared and invigorated. She’d thought about riding into the sunset with him a million times, but she’d never seriously expected it to happen.

Granted, it certainly wasn’t sunset. It was nearly midnight. She’d certainly never envisioned herself riding behind him in a prom dress and heels. And, perhaps most important, she’d had no idea what the vibration of his bike would do to her pussy.

She realized she had no clue where he lived, and she didn’t care. She never wanted this ride to end. She inhaled his scent, let the wind hit her in the face, and grinned from ear to ear.

Fifteen minutes ago, she’d been a hot mess of nerves. Rock had blown everything that had happened tonight right out of the stratosphere. Fuck her prom date and his cronies. The guy was a dick. He didn’t deserve to occupy another moment of her headspace.

When Rock pulled into an apartment complex, Lyla found herself disappointed. She’d rather stay on this bike all night. Instead, she had to face the next phase in this crazy idea.

Rock parked, turned off the bike, and twisted to lift her up over the seat and set her on the ground. He didn’t release her hips too quickly either. “You steady, Little Lyla?”

She took a second and nodded. It seemed like her legs would hold her up, even though they were noodles, and she was wearing heels. She quickly shimmied and tugged the dress until it fell back into place around her legs. While he dismounted, she tucked the bear under her arm, unfastened the helmet, then handed it to him when he turned around.

“My hair must look like I went through a hurricane.” She reached up with her free hand to touch the curls that had tumbled from the top all evening. She held one of the stuffed bear’s legs in her other hand.

Rock stowed both helmets and faced her. “Your hair is gorgeous, Baby girl. Don’t fret.” He took her hand and led her toward the building.

“These apartments look brand new,” she commented.

“Yeah. They’re nice. I’m glad I managed to get a unit.”

“How long have you lived here?” It seemed awkward that she’d never asked where he lived. She was embarrassed now to realize she didn’t know much about his life.

It was as if he were simply her brother’s hot friend who materialized out of nowhere every once in a while and made her life a little sunnier. He did that without knowing it. He did it by looking at her with his smoldering gaze and speaking to her in his sultry voice. She was certain he had no idea.

When they reached the stairs, Rock turned toward her, bent at the knees, and swooped her off the ground to cradle her in his arms.

“Rock,” she squealed. “What are you doing?”

“Baby girl, you are so wobbly on those sexy heels, I’m afraid you might fall on the stairs. And then I’d have to take you to the hospital and face your parents to explain how you broke your legin the middle of the night at my apartment. I’m not up for that tonight.” His voice was teasing.

Fine. If he was going to carry her, she was going to milk this strange night for every drop. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her head on his shoulder.

Once again, she reminded herself he surely didn’t see her as more than his friend’s kid sister, but he didn’t know what was happening in her head. Her fantasies were none of his business.

When they reached the door to his apartment, he jostled her easily to one side a bit and pulled the keys out of his pocket. He didn’t set her down as he opened the door, nor did he set her down after he entered the apartment.

Rock Monroe carried her straight through the masculine living room and into the kitchen. Finally, he sat her on the counter next to the fridge.

She swayed slightly, feeling lightheaded from the shock of everything that was happening.

He planted his hands on the counter on both sides of her, crowding her and trapping her. “What would you like to drink, Baby girl?”

She licked her lips. What was the right answer? What did this tattooed sexy man even have to drink in his apartment? “Uh, beer?”

He laughed before grabbing her waist and shaking his head. “Not a snowball’s chance in hell, Little girl. Have you ever even tried beer?”

She shook her head as her face heated.

“Have you ever tried any alcohol?”

She looked down. She was a goody two-shoes, and everyone knew it, including Rock. She didn’t break rules or curfew. She was a perfect student. Even in her art, she never colored outside the lines.

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