Page 3 of Up in Flames

No, thank you!

Instantly, I turn to shrug off his jacket and hand it back to him as my teeth continue to chatter.

“Keep it. Honestly, you look like you need it,” Cain says, placing it back over my shoulders.

Nodding, I link my arms through. “Thanks for your help, but I would like to get out of the rain now and go home to a warm bed. Happy Thanksgiving, Mr. Barrington.” I place my hand out for him to shake again.

He holds it gently and smiles. “Nice to officially meet you. I hope to see more of you.” Cain’s eyes run up and down my body.

I let out a small huff at his blatant meaning—he wants to see me naked!

I grunt, turning around and slipping into Gertie, slamming my door shut and pulling on the seat belt with an exaggerated tug. Turning her over, she starts beautifully, so I slam her into gear and take off, not looking back, even though Ireallywant to.

The River House Apartments are not far from here. Damn Gertie for breaking down so close to home. At least now, she is semi-fixed, but I will need to get her checked out tomorrow.

Randomly, I look in my rearview mirror and notice Cain is in his car behind me.

Is he following me?

I make my way to the parking garage for our apartments.

He follows.

My brow crunches as my stomach churns, not in a good way. Sure, he’s hot as sin, but being mauled in my apartment parking garage isn’t something I feel comfortable with happening today.

While parking my car, I watch as he pulls his into a reserved parking area.

What a jackass!

Following me and then parking in someone else’s parking space. Wow! He must have balls the size ofGodzillato think I am going to take him up to my apartment, where he can have his way with me.

Stepping out of my car, my body is rigid and in fight mode. I’m ready to tell Cain to stay the fuck away from me when he simply locks his car, smirks at me, then turns with a small wave and heads toward the elevators. Outraged, I fold my arms over my chest and watch him with a puzzled stare as he presses the button and stands there waiting.

Scoffing at his brazen attitude, I state, “I’m not coming with you, just so you know.”

He nods, wrinkling his nose like he finds my little outburst cute. “I know, and I wouldn’t expect you to, Makaylie.” Honestly, could he say my name any more seductively? My insides melt, making my knees wobble ever so slightly.

Clenching my jaw as I try to gather some semblance of composure, I storm over to him with a fierce glare. “Why are you waiting for the elevator? I’m not going up to my apartment until you leave!”

He lets out a bemused laugh and nods matter-of-factly. “That’s fine by me.”

Dumbfounded by his apparent lack of care, I stand here wide-eyed, waiting for him to turn around and leave, but he doesn’t. Instead, Cain checks his watch and crosses his arms, looking up at the light showing what floor the elevator is currently on.

I let out a small laugh at his absurdity. “Then why the fuck are you still here?” I ask with a little more malice than intended.

He looks at me with one eyebrow raised and smirks.

Damn him and his gorgeous smirking!

“I’m going upstairs,” he replies carefree like it’s the most normal thing he could have said as he turns back to face the elevator. My eyes bug out of my head, and I scoff, probably a little too loudly, as my muscles clench and my hands ball into fists, my nails digging into my palms with the annoyance and persistence of this guy.

“No… you arenotgoing upstairs. I thought I made myself perfectly clear?”

“You made yourself crystal clear, Makaylie.”

“Thenwhyare you insisting on coming upstairs with me?” I yell.

“You’re a feisty one, aren’t you?” Cain starts chuckling as he steps closer. I inadvertently take a step back, but my ass hits a concrete pillar and halts my escape as he steps toward me again. My breath hitches as his hand reaches out, touching my face in a tender gesture. He looks into my eyes, and the same electrical buzz I felt before runs through my body, only this time, it can’t be the storm. The intensity surges between us. His hand moves from by my ear to cup my cheek, and without thinking, my head moves into his hand.

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