"Where do you live?" Gia asked, handing me a coffee.
I rattled off my address and listened to her banter on about how ridiculous Dace had been. Although I couldn't have agreed more with her on the fact that Dace had been ridiculous, I simply couldn't believe he wanted anything more from me than friendship. If he did, he never would have taken the blond up on her proposition. Seeing that had hardened any feelings I had toward him that might have bloomed into anything more than friendship. It hurt. I wasn't a one night kind of girl and I had no desire what-so-ever to partake in a casual relationship. I wanted it all or nothing. When I gave myself to a man it would be because he was everything to me and I was everything to him. It would be because of love not lust. Until then, I would hold true to myself because I had to. I wanted what my parents had - a loving, faithful, long lasting relationship. Even death wasn't strong enough to separate them - instead of parting ways - they'd walked through heaven's gates together. My parents were soul mates. I'd watched their love for each other blossom throughout my entire life and I refused to settle for anything less for myself.
"This is me." I pulled myself from my thoughts as I pointed to the apartment complex I lived in.
"This is nice." Gia stared through the windshield with appreciation. "What's the rent on one of these?"
I snickered. "More than I can afford." I opened the door and stepped out into the cool air, bending down to peer through the car at her. "Thanks for the ride."
Her eyes went wide and her mouth fell open as she stared over my shoulder. Every hair follicle on my body stood erect and my stomach dropped. "He's here!"
"Who?" I turned in time to see Dace jumping down from a black lifted truck. It was parked beside Mazzy. He jogged across the parking lot toward me and I felt my own mouth drop. I was surprised it didn't hit the pavement. "What are you doing here?"
He ignored me, bending down to talk to Gia. "Thanks for driving her. I've got it from here."
Gia shook her head as though stunned. "Right," her eyes flickered to me and I knew they were silently telling me my resolve against Dace was useless. I folded my arms over my chest and stared defiantly back at her. "See ya tomorrow, Ella."
"Thanks." I walked away as soon as Dace pushed her door closed, but he caught up easily.
"Why didn't you wait for me?"
"Wait for you…for what?" I didn't look at him. I wasn't in the mood for this. It was freaking two in the morning!
"To give you a ride?" He pivoted quickly so he was standing in front of me. "Why didn't you wait?"
I shrugged. "I didn't think it mattered, Dace. Gia was leaving and I figured I'd catch a ride with her." I looked over his shoulder. "Where's your bike?"
"I took it home." His eyes were studying my face and I felt slightly uncomfortable. "I didn't want you getting cold."
My heart fluttered at the warmth of his small thoughtful action, but it didn't melt the ice left over from his earlier decision to toy around with the blond. I knew I had no right to feel so burned by his almost one night stand - but I did.
"Say something." Dace broke the silence with a gruff tone of command.
"Good night, Dace."
"You're going to bed?"
I nodded. "Right after I study."
"I could study with you." His eyes were hopeful and my stomach dropped.
I set cold eyes on him. "I'm not one of the whores you pursue. I am not and will not be sleeping with you."
He raised his hands, his blue eyes wide. "I'm not asking for you to sleep with me, Angel."
My cheeks were red and I knew he knew it wasn't because of the cold. "Well, what are you asking?" I folded my arms defensively over my chest, concentrating on not spilling my coffee.
"I'm asking if you'd like a study partner?" He chuckled. "I like you, Angel. You're a breath of fresh air."
"Why?" I scowled, ignoring the heat of his comment.
Dace laughed, running a hand through already disheveled hair. "Probably because you don't want to sleep with me."
"Damn right I don't!"
"And you're the only person who calls me on my bullshit." His eyes twinkled. I wished they weren't so damned gorgeous. Maybe I wouldn't be so affected. "I like that."
"If you like being called out you should just befriend Gia." I took a step toward the door but Dace stepped in front of me. I paused, sighing as I made a play of being annoyed.
"She's nice, but I don't want to be friends with her. I want to be friends with you." He cocked his head.
"You don't do girl friends, Dace." My tone was tired, but so was I.