Page 43 of Pretend You Love Me
“The hell you aren’t.”
“I need to work.”
He sighs. “How did you get here today, cupcake?”
I hold my head up as straight as I can. “The bike.”
“Goddammit,” he mutters. “You were forbidden from riding it.”
“And I told you - you can't forbid me from doing anything,” I counter.
“It's stealing.”
“Please.” I roll my eyes.
“I can call Hawk right now and report you.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Really? You’re going to call your brother and report your own girlfriend for stealing your bicycle?”
He doesn’t respond.
“I didn’t think so.”
“Kip, I really need this job. I’m running out of money fast.”
“What do you need money for?”
I blink at him several times. He’s joking? Right?
“Um...the regular things like food.”
“I'm buying your food.”
I throw up my arms. “I don’t want you to do that.”
“Well, I am, and I’m giving you a place to stay.”
“I have to fix the car.”
“You can use Mom’s car.”
“I still have to fix the car. It’s not mine.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose.
“Kip, please.”
“Fine,” he says. “But, you have to drive Mom’s car or ride with me. You will not walk or ride that damn bike.”
“Yes. yes. Thank you.” I throw my arms around his neck for a hug. His whole body tenses.
Oh, god, how awkward.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “You’re not much of a hugger, are you?”
He doesn’t answer, but there’s such a fierce intensity in his eyes, it makes me shiver. It doesn’t exactly look like anger, but it doesn’tnotlook like anger either.
His eyes fall from my face down to my body, and heat rises in me as his gaze lingers. “Ginger, what the hell are you wearing?”
