Page 19 of Positively Pricked
Chapter 6
A voice, cool and masculine, sounded from the darkness. "Going someplace?"
I stifled a gasp. It was nearly three in the morning, and I'd finally hoofed it out to the rusty heap that passed for my car.
I whirled toward the sound and spotted him a few feet away, watching me from the shadows.
It was Zane Bennington, wearing the same clothes as before. But whereIfelt wrinkled and worn out,helooked just as glorious as he had three hours earlier – the last time he'd caught me by surprise.
Like everything else tonight, it simply wasn't fair. I gave him an annoyed look. "Yes, in fact. I'm going home."
"Don't tell me you forgot."
"Forgot what?"
"Youknowwhat."
I did know, but I refused to give him the satisfaction. Instead, I gave him a loose shrug and utter silence.
Take that, you jerk.
The sidewalk was wide and lined with trees. Probably, it was designed so that rich, happy couples could walk hand-in-hand and admire all of the estates that lined the super-exclusive gated neighborhood.
Unfortunately, I was in no mood to appreciate any of it. I wasn't rich. I wasn't happy. And I certainly wasn't part of a couple. Even my last date had been months ago, because seriously, who had the time?
Not me.
Not lately, anyway.
Into my silence, Zane said, "We had a deal."
"What deal?"
"You. Not leaving 'til I say so."
I lifted my chin. "It's only a deal if both people agree. And besides, you weren't around."
It was true. For once, timing had been on my side – or so I'd thought. When my shift had finally ended, Zane had been nowhere in sight. At the time, it seemed like a lucky break. I should've known better.
The street was very quiet, with no traffic and only the faint sound of wind rustling the trees. As I watched, Zane moved closer until we were sharing the same stretch of sidewalk.
He said, "I'm around now."
I felt myself swallow.Yes. He was.And he was even more imposing then I remembered. I took an involuntary step backward and almost tripped on the curb. I caught myself just in time, but only by grabbing the nearest thing within reach, which happened to be my side-view mirror. Of course, it came loose and crashed onto the pavement, where it shattered into like five pieces.
I stared down at the destruction.Damn it.How much wouldthatcost? I looked back to Zane. "That wasyourfault."
If the accusation bothered him, he didn't show it. "Was it?"
"You know it was."
I waited him for him to argue. But he didn't. Instead, he gave my rust-bucket a perfunctory glance and said, "Your car sucks."
Yeah, it did. But did he really need to rub it in? Under my breath, I muttered, "Not as much asyou."
His eyebrows lifted. "You don't care about your job much, do you?"
Well, this was just great.I made a sound of disbelief. "What is that? Another threat?" I threw up my hands. "You know what? Fine. Tell my employer. I don't care."
