Page 5 of Don't Game Me
She didn’t have to do this. She could tell Jake the truth. Maybe he’d figure a way out of everything in California. Hadn’t worked for her brother, Kaleb, when he told Noah he’d been dragged into the Stadium, the venue for the illegal eGaming events. Actually, Noah found Kaleb stealing technology from NJ Legacy for Symphis, and that’s when her brother spilled the truth. Like Becca, Symphis had sucked him in. Hearing this six months ago spooked her since she’d been pulled in at the same time on the opposite coast.
She had to give the date thing a try. Her goal was to survive to next week when she could activate her escape plan, which was five months in the making.
The drive into the city turned into a nightmare on a Thursday evening at the peak of rush hour. Jake maneuvered the car as if he were a Formula One driver. He zipped into an empty parking space to their right then zoomed in front of the car in the left lane. She hissed and grabbed theoh shithandle.
Jake chuckled.
“You thinkI’ma crazy driver?” she snapped.
“She’s perfection. Scared?”
She bit back a yelp as he wove a quick swerve around a turning car and hit the accelerator to speed through a yellow light. The car accelerated so fast that her head smacked against the seat.
“I’m worried you’ll wreck this thing.” A scathing comment fought for escape when he gunned another yellow light, plastering her against the seat once more.
He seemed disappointed when she didn’t snap at him again. Was he trying to scare her? He swerved and glanced her way with a smirk.
“Oh my God. You’re doing this on purpose. Should I wave my hands in the air and scream like one of the Barbies you date who probably get a thrill out of the adrenaline rush?”
He slowly smiled as he braked the car to a stop at a red light. His gaze scanned down to her chest. “There’s a lot to be said for adrenaline.”
She crossed her arms, offended by his player tone. “I’m not one of your easy hookups who will giggle, lean down, and suck you off while you drive.”
His eyes dilated, and his cheeks flushed. His mind totally went there. Based on his indrawn breath as his gaze dropped to her lips, he was on board with the imagery.
Surprise, surprise. Jake wasn’t as immune to her as he acted. She liked it in a way that had nothing to do with being forced to be his date.
His eyelids slowly shut and reopened as if processing information that didn’t compute. His eyebrows rose in question. “Have you done that before?”
“What? Giggle at a guy who shows off by scaring me? Actually, I have.” She smiled, feeling naughty. “Or have I had my head in his lap while he drove?”
“You’re messing with me, aren’t you?” His gaze returned to the endless red light.
“You were being a jerk on purpose.”
“Maybe I was. But have you…while a guy was driving?” He glanced back at her.
“He’d need to prove himself a highly competent driver before I…” She let his imagination do the rest. She cleared her throat of the desire thickening her vocal folds. “Do you know the hotel everyone’s staying for the wedding? Mom booked me a room there.”
His gaze lingered on her lips for a few seconds too long before he answered. “Yes.”
After a few more turns, he pulled into the valet area of the skyscraper hotel.
Her hopeful hop out of the low-slung car turned into a clumsy contortionist move. No hopethatlooked smooth or sophisticated. She met Jake at the front of the car where he worked to remove her overstuffed suitcase.
She cleared her throat to get his attention. “I have a problem.”
“Yeah, your suitcase won’t come out of the trunk.” He tugged harder, dislodging a corner.
She was still so close to him that his light cologne or aftershave or whatever he used to smell so addictive had her swaying toward him. On went her glasses as she forced herself to step away. “Not that. I need some help. But I’m…”
“What’s wrong?” Her heart stuttered and tumbled over itself when his eyebrows drooped into a frown of concern, reminding her he used his player persona as a front to keep people at a distance. In truth, this man had a deep vein of intense loyalty and compassion for those close to him. She’d witnessed it in how he treated her brother. “Is it about being stood up? Whoever he was, he’s an ass. Forget about it.”
She couldn’t do this out here. “Thanks, but will you walk me up to my room? I need to talk for a minute.”
Alarm spread across his face. His eyes darted to the hotel and back to her. “In there? What do you want to talk about?”
“Please.”
