Page 61 of Under My Skin
“No,” I answer too quickly. “I’m fine. I just need to talk to him.”
The sound of the apartment door opening and closing makes my heart stutter. “Someone’s here. I’ll call you later.”
“Go for round two!” Allison says with a giggle, and I hang up like Everett might be able to hear her.
I’m assuming it’s him. It’s too early for Simon to come home, even for a lunch break. Getting to my feet, I head down the short hallway, but I stop in my tracks when a tall, dark figure looms in the kitchen, biker helmet and all. I’ve seen Everett in his bike gear plenty of times, but never while he’s standing in the middle of the kitchen. It’s always while he’s on the bike—a perfectly appropriate place to see someone with a helmet, leather jacket, gloves, and boots. But seeing him dressed this wayinsidethe apartment gives him this larger-than-life appeal.
He tilts his head when he catches me standing in the hallway opening. “You’re still here?”
Swallowing, I nod. Why am I so turned on right now? This is what he wears. Every time he rides his bike. This is nothing new.
But the sight of him thrills me in a way I couldn’t have prepared for.
He takes a step toward me, and my heart rate ticks up. “I figured you’d be at your parents’ by now. Didn’t Simon say you could take the car?” he says as he points a gloved thumb over his shoulder.
He’s having a normal conversation like he has no idea what he’s doing to me, and it’s only making himmoreendearing, and sexy, and—damn it, this is not going well. There’s somethingabout the way his voice comes out slightly muffled from behind the helmet, too. Why is this such a turn on?
I nod again. Simon did say I could take the car. I think. The closer Everett gets, the less I can remember.
When he reaches me, he asks, “Do you want me to give you a ride?”
I can’t take my eyes off the reflective shield of his helmet as I dumbly nod for a third time. I don’t think he meant for the question to have a double meaning, but I’m responding like it does. The way I want to jump this man is terrifying.
But we haven’t even talked about what happened last night. I don’t know if he’dwantme to throw myself at him. He could regret it. He could just be polite. We said if it falls apart, no one has to know, but I hate not knowing how he feels right now. I said nothing had to change, but all I want him to do is push me up against the wall, and the fact that he isn’t, feels like rejection.
“Are you ready or do you need a minute? I was just stopping here to grab my wallet, but I’m about to head back out. I can drop you off on my way into town.”
He really has no idea how hot he is, and it’s adorable. Taking a steadying breath, I finally force words out of my mouth and try to regain my bearings. “I just have to finish getting dressed. I’ll be right out.” I’m wearing leggings and an oversized V-neck sweater that tends to slip off my shoulder throughout the day, but I still need to put on a bra and change my pants.
Everett’s helmet tips down like he’s taking in what I’m wearing for the first time. “Take your time.”
He takes a step back, and the air thins, allowing me to breathe more easily. He turns and heads back toward the kitchen, and my teeth sink into my bottom lip as I enjoy the view from behind just as much as I did from the front. It isn’t until he’s about to turn around and catch me that my brain remembers how to function, and I say, “Actually, can you take me to The Steamy Mug? I need to get some work done.”
“Sure. I’ll take you anywhere.”
Thoughts of him taking me in a variety of places and a variety of ways creep in and cloud my judgment again. Clearing my throat, I say a quick, “Awesome. Thanks,” and duck back into the room as fast as I can.
Chapter Thirty-Four
EVERETT
Lucy walks backinto the room wearing the same oversized cream sweater, but now there’s a lacy purple strap showing on her exposed shoulder. She swapped her tight-fitting leggings for a pair of baggy jeans, but I like the way she looks in them. Oversized clothes seem to be her staple, and it makes my imagination run wild with what I know is hiding underneath.
I want to know what type of food she has on her underwear today.
Without thinking, my gaze drops. It’s only for a second before I realize I’m blatantly imagining her naked. At least the helmet helps to hide where my eyes have gone. “Ready?” I ask in a feeble attempt to recover.
She rocks back on her heels. “Yup.”
I head toward the door, and she follows. There are a million ways I’d like to take advantage of being alone with her—with an actual bed nearby—but my head has been in a fog most of the day. I guess that’s what happens when I have to go to my mom’s house multiple days in a row.
As soon as we’re outside, Lucy says, “So . . . what are you going into town for?”
I wince. Lucy and I shouldn’t have awkward tension between us. Last night was too good for us to tiptoe around each other. Last night was effortless. It felt right.
We should probably talk about it, but I can’t right now. “A radiator key.”
Her eyebrows pinch slightly as I hand her the helmet. “Huh. For your . . . house?”
