Page 41 of The Innovator

How did she meet those drunken guys? At a bar? The idea of her sitting alone at a bar and men ogling her like Forrest had with those women irritated me.

“What were you doing at The Prism?” I asked.

“What makes you think I was there? Maybe I wanted a drink and bumped into the idiots.”

My jaw tightened. “If you’re going bar hopping, you need to be aware of drunk assholes.Someone like youis perfect prey for them. You shouldn’t be out by yourself.”

“I don’t need a babysitter, Grayson.” She scowled. “You’re not my father or my boyfriend. I don’t need your permission to do anything.”

Forrest cleared his throat. “Those idiots will feel a lot of pain when they sober up.” His phone rang, and he fished it out of his back pocket. Glancing at it, he sighed and turned to me. “Gotta go. You okay here?”

“Yeah, I’ll take her home.”

Forrest picked up the call as he walked to the parking lot where our cars were parked.

Natalie walked off to where I assumed her car was parked. A few steps forward, and she limped.

Stubborn woman.

“Minor injury, my ass.” I gripped her arm, assisting her. “Let me help you.”

Whipping me an annoyed look, she tried to yank her arm away, but I didn’t budge.We stood on the sidewalk, staring at each other. Sexual tension throbbed in my cock, which was inappropriate timing on my part. When it came to her, my cock did whatever it wanted. This “thing” between us needed to be dealt with soon because it was driving me crazy.

I wanted to kiss her, so she’d stop talking back to me and let me take care of her. But that would mean I’d lose the bet. I didn’t want to give up The Prism yet.

“I can walk to my car, Grayson,” she said. “Thanks for helping earlier. I’m good now. Don’t you have somewhere to go?”

“The only place I need to be is with you. You need to get home safely.”

She huffed out a breath, appearing calmer. “I’m fine. You can go home.”

“I’m going where you’re going.”

“Why are you so stubborn?” She scowled.

“Not as stubborn as you. I’m concerned about you. I’m not your father, and I’m not your boyfriend, but I’m a man who wants you. So that gives me the right to make sure you’re safe.”

Something flashed in her eyes before she blinked it away. “That line isn’t going to make me kiss you. You’re not going to win the bet.”

“This won’t either, but it’ll take the pressure off your feet.” I scooped her up into my arms, carrying her to the car. “I’ll go home after I drop you off. You cool with that?”

“Put me down!” She tried to wriggle free. “I can walk.”

“You meanlimp?” I loved having her in my arms.

Her lips twisted. “You’re being absurd. Put me down!”

“As you wish.” Once we got to the car, I placed her on her feet. “You were wasting time being stubborn, so I took the initiative. I’ll drive. Give me your keys.” I wiggled my fingers.

“Does your bossiness ever annoy you?” She crossed her arms.

I mimicked her gesture with a smirk. “Does your stubbornness ever annoy you?”

The fire flickering in her eyes sparked a warmth, making me want her beneath me. What the fuck was wrong with me? She was injured and needed to get home.

“Look, the sooner I get you home, the sooner I’ll be out of your way, okay? Though I want to win the bet, this isn’t the time for any secret agenda. I just want you safe. You’re Audri’s friend, and she’d want me to help you. And if my sister were injured, I’d want someone to take her home too.”

Her expression softened, and she reached for her purse.

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