Page 16 of Test the Ice
“No!” I exclaim.
I glance at him as I park my car beside the curb, my eyes dropping to his lap. He’s messing with his phone again, and I panic.
“Fine!” I blurt, reaching for his phone. I put my hand on top of it, our fingers brushing again. “I’ll go”—for a second—“just stop paying me.”
His chuckle is irritating and addictive at the same time. He’s so proud of himself for winning.
How this night started off as a regular night of work and ended at a club with the most persistent man I’ve ever met is beyond me.
I angle toward him after shifting my car into park, the light of my dash illuminating the side of his face. Malaki’s triumph nearly suffocates me.
“This is not a date,” I remind him.
It doesn’t take long for his cheek to curve on one side. I drop my attention to his mouth, and fuck my stomach for flipping.
“Okay, Dimples…” His voice is as smooth as butter. “Friends?”
I narrow my gaze before eventually giving in. “Fine.”
He outstretches his hand in between us for me to shake. I stare at it like I’ll be trapped for life if I place my palm in his, butI have a feeling I won’t be getting out of this car until I surrender. So, I gingerly peel my fingers off the steering wheel and give in.
The moment our palms touch, sparks fly to my hand. I manage to keep the shock off my face, but my nerves are fried. The small space we’re tucked in crackles, and I pray it’s all in my head.
“Not a date number two… here we come.” He winks at me before removing his hand from mine.
We both open our doors with an eagerness that is hard to deny. Though Malaki is probably just excited because I finally gave in to his persistent attempt to hang out with me, I’m rushing to put space between us because his smirk does wild things to my body, even if my head is refusing to admit it.
Six
MALAKI
Reeseand I walk into the club, and we couldn’t be more contradictory if we tried. Not only is she the most gorgeous woman in here, turning heads from the bouncer all the way to the bartender across the dance floor, but she’s clearly unimpressed to be here with me. Whereas I’m feeling pretty fucking elated to have her by my side, smirking at every guy who’s jealous of the hottie next to me.
Well, shewasnext to me.
I find her within seconds, my attention clinging to her like a magnet. She’s casual, wearing jeans and a loose-fitting sweater that just so happened to slip off her shoulder on the drive here. She’s chatting away with Daisy, who looks confused to see her friend here. My roommate is staring at them, his quick glimpse in my direction only lasting half a second.
I walk closer and overhear Daisy asking Reese what she’s doing here.
It’s a natural reaction for me to slip my arm around Reese’s shoulders, but I don’t miss the way she tenses. “I convinced her to come out with me.”
She raises an eyebrow, seemingly hesitant to believe me. I don’t think they’ve been friends for long, but with how difficult it was to get Reese to agree to come out with me, I'm betting she doesn’t do much of anything other than work.
Reese makes a sarcastic noise, her warm breath coating my hand. “If requesting several Uber drivers until you get me as your driver is your way of convincing, then okay.”
Daisy tries to hide her smile, but I make no effort to hide mine.
Reese sends me a scathing glare, and it’s awfully tempting.
I’ve never had a woman so uninterested in me before. She’s different, and I’m fully entertained by it.
“I have to get back to work,” she announces, shrugging my arm off her shoulder. “Malaki said you were here, so I just wanted to say hi real quick.”
She’s leaving already? I think not.
After she gives Daisy a hug, she heads for the door without so much as looking in my direction. I watch her weave in between couples and men whose gazes linger a little too long. Before she makes it to the door, I rush over and wrap my arm around her waist. I spin her toward me, and a hot little gasp slips from her mouth.
Ah, fuck.
