Page 34 of Chasing Stars
I roll my eyes. “Well, every time I’ve reached out to you, you’ve given me very brief answers.” We step closer to the food truck as the long line moves at a snail’s pace.
“I know,” she admits with a shrug. “You scare me, Miles.” Her voice is quiet.
“Now that’s what every guy wants to hear,” I mumble, throwing my head back with a sarcastic chuckle. Then I meet her gaze and I can’t ignore the warmth that runs through me.
“You scare me in a good way.” Jenna bites her lower lip. “In a terrifyingly good way.”Is she swooning at me?
I groan and rub my forehead. “Jenna, don’t play these games with me.” I feel restless and irritable. But I also want to push her up against the back of the food truck and kiss her senseless. The tension between us is sizzling.
“I–I’m not playing games, Miles,” Jenna says warily. “I guess, I just miss your company.”
At this, I soften, but just a little. This girl is going to drive me insane. How can I want her so badly and feel so irritated by her hot and cold demeanor at the same time? It’s a lethal combination—when I finally get my hands on her, I’m going to have my way with her until she screams my name. “You’ve got a funny way of showing it,” I retort, side-eyeing her.
“Come on, Miles. You miss hanging out with me too, don’t you?” She pushes a lock of brown waves behind her ear.
I eye her cautiously, but before I can answer, it’s our turn to order.
“What do you want?” I ask her, changing the subject.
“I’ll have whatever you’re having,” Jenna replies, inching closer to me. She puts her hand in the back pocket of my jeans, cupping my ass. My dick moves in response and I feel myself tense.
I suck in a breath and look at her before ordering two pulled pork sandwiches. “Jenna,” I say hoarsely.
“Miles. I miss you.” Jenna leans on me.This has got to be the booze talking.“Despite everyone telling me to stay away from you, I do. I miss you.”
I pull away from her and hand the cashier my card. “Who is telling you to stay away from me?” I frown. She almost had me caving, but now my guard is back up.
Jenna shrugs. “Joy…Jake.” Jenna rocks her neck back and forth, lips pursed in thought. “That’s about it, I guess.”
We step aside to wait for our food. “Yeah? And why are they telling you to stay away from me?” I fold my arms acrossmy chest and lean on the side of the truck, trying to mask my growing irritation.
Jenna steps closer. “It doesn’t matter what they say.” She brushes her fingers along my cheek. “There’s something between us.”
I meet her fiery brown eyes and those fucking lips. All I want to do is grab her face and devour it in frustration, but I don’t.
“I know you feel it too,” Jenna whispers. “I tried to ignore it, but…”
Now I’m completely vexed. I stand up taller and tower over her, looking down. I fight the urge to touch her but let my breath linger on her ear. “Maybe I do,” I rasp. “But you’re probably better off taking your friend’s advice and steering clear of me.”
Our food comes up and I grab it, turning to find a table. Jenna trails behind me.
This is going to be a long night.
17
JENNA
Idon’t know how I got this drunk.I mean the alcohol, obviously.The sandwich I ate with Miles did nothing to soak up the beer sloshing around my stomach. Now Joy is talking to some guy she met; Leo is off doing who knows what. Last I saw, he was inserting himself into a bachelorette party. I’m sitting alone on a wobbly stool at our high top, feeling a little woozy when Miles places a glass of water in front of me.
“Drink this,” he says, lips pressing into a tight smile.
I narrow my eyes but a teasing smile tugs at my mouth. “What did you put in it?”
“It’s water, Jenna,” Miles says curtly. He doesn’t have the patience for me tonight. That became apparent as soon as I started flirting with him at the food truck.
I don’t know what comes over me when I’m in his presence. Logically, it makes zero sense for me to get involved with him. There just seems to be a magnetic force always pulling me toward him. I can forget about it if I’m not near him, but if I’m in the same room as him? There is no forgetting. I want him. I don't want to want him, but I do. Even if it’s just for one night.Which would be a whole different kind of mistake, I’m sure.
It’s got to be the alcohol heightening my awareness of him. He’s standing so close to me, watching to make sure I drink the water. Sober me would find his watchful eye annoying but buzzed me thinks it’s sweet. I sip the water and smile up at him. Miles has never looked broody before. Normally, he’s happy-go-lucky. Now he just looks royally pissed.It’s so hot.
