Page 21 of Beat around the Bush
Reed nodded. I wasn’t sure if they drove in one vehicle or many, so I’d leave that part up to them. My main concern was getting Oakley home. The guys would take care of Lettie and Brandy. They always did.
“You ready to call it a night?” I asked Oakley, who was trying to act casual about using the chair behind her to steady herself. She looked so damn pretty wearing my hat. I was half convinced I should let her keep it forever and make it a part of the dress code at work.
“Hmm... I don’t know.”
“Now you want to drink more?”
She crossed her arms. “And if I do?”
I shrugged, a smile threatening to bloom at her stubborn behavior. “I guess I could carry you out of here.”
She snapped straight, grabbing her jacket off the chair. “Maybe the hat isn’t the only thing you need to control yourself with.”
I reached around her, my fingers wrapping around the material of my jacket. My arm brushed hers as her eyes stayed locked on mine. I lowered my voice, leaning down to bring myself closer to her. “What else should I control myself with, Oakley?”
Her breathing picked up pace, her chest rising and falling with the action. Her eyes darted back and forth, searching mine. She wasn’t going to reply, but I didn’t care. I’d wait forever if it meant I got to stay this close to her. She smelled like vanilla and cinnamon, and I was getting fucking high.
A hand slapping against my back pulled me out of Oakley’s orbit. “Get home safe,” Bailey said as he passed, Lettie’s hand in his.
“You, too.”
I turned my attention back to Oakley, who was shrugging her denim jacket on. “We can go,” she said.
“Are you sure? We can stay if you want to.”
She wouldn’t meet my gaze as she said, “It’s okay. It’s late anyway.”
I nodded and she turned, heading for the door. I followed close behind, resisting the urge to place my hand on her back as we walked. As we approached the door, I came around her, opening it for her.
She gave a tight, closed-lip smile as she passed under my arm. As soon as we were outside, she started shivering. The cold was a shock to the warmth from the bar and the alcohol. “Do you want my coat?”
She spun around and I almost ran right into her. “Your coat?”
“You’re shivering.”
“It’s your only coat.” She reached up, pulling my hat off her head and holding it out to me. “I shouldn’t have taken this.”
I didn’t move to grab my hat from her. I didn’t even glance at it. I shrugged my jacket off, holding it out beside her outstretched hand. “A trade.”
She finally brought her gaze up to mine, those green eyes shining brighter than any gemstone. “That’s not how a trade works.”
“It’s not?”
“Well, they’re both yours.”
“I’m giving you my jacket in exchange for my hat. I’m pretty sure that’s how a trade works.”
She frowned up at me, her pink lips in a tight line. “Fine.” She reached up on her tiptoes, setting my hat back on my head,notbackwards, then grabbed my jacket, opening it up to slide her arms through the sleeves. It was big on her, but I liked her in my clothes. I’d also like her without any clothes.
Jesus Christ.
“Can we go now?” she asked.
I took the few steps to my truck, opening the passenger door wide for her. “After you.”
She moved from her spot, sliding into the seat. Her hands were buried in the sleeves of my jacket as she crossed her arms.
“Gotta buckle in, Oak.”
