Touch Me Not(38)

Nikoli stepped in front of Lily, cutting off Jasper’s access to her ass. He did not like the way his eyes had zeroed in and stayed there. “I am. I’ve got the check. Keys?”

Jasper pulled them out of his pocket. “You want to start it up first?”

“Always do. Lily?” He tossed her the keys when she turned around. “Pop the hood and start her for me?”

She ghosted her fingers across the top of the car, never touching the paint, before opening the door and sliding in. She popped the hood and then cranked the ignition. It came to life, and relief swept through Nikoli. He’d been afraid the car wouldn’t start. It was obvious Jasper had no clue how to take care of it since he didn’t understand how much it was worth. “Rev it up for me, will ya, Lily Bells?” Nikoli said as he propped the hood up. The engine roared, and he grinned. This was his four hundred thousand dollar victory car. He might need to tweak it a little, but this one was gonna take it home.

“It still runs like the day my uncle dropped it off here,” Jasper said. “He died a couple years back and left me the car.”

“How long has it sat idle?” Lily asked. She was already checking the interior for flaws.

“Nearly four years.” Jasper moved closer to the car.#p#分页标题#e#

“How often did you start it?” she asked.

“I started it up a few days ago before I put it up for sale to make sure it still ran.”

Lily gaped at him, and Nikoli chuckled. Jasper here was not a car buff. “Well, that explains why it’s almost out of gas,” she grouched. “It might make it to the station.”

Shaking his head at her disgusted tone, Nikoli turned his attention back to Jasper, who was standing much too close to Lily, even if she was safely in the car. There was something about the guy, something off, that rubbed Nikoli the wrong way, and he definitely didn’t like the way he stared at Lily. If she was paying attention, she’d be freaking out. For once, Nikoli was glad her car lusting made her oblivious.

“If you’ll get the title, I’ve got the check.” He pulled out his wallet and fished out the certified cashier’s check.

Jasper turned and disappeared back into the house. Nikoli waited impatiently while watching Lily. She was going over everything, finding imperfections and clucking like a mother hen. The fact that she could lust over a car and not him still blew his mind. It was sexy as hell.

“Is there enough gas in that thing to make it to the station?” Nikoli asked to get his mind off things that would drive him insane on the four hour trip back to school.

“I think so, but barely,” she said, frowning. “The passenger seat’s leather is ripped in two places. There’s a crack in the dash, and there’s a tiny dent back by the back fender.”

“Are you okay driving it back?” he asked. “You said it’s been a while since you’ve driven anything like it…”

“Does that mean I can drive your car?”

“Hell, no!”

“Then, yes, I’m good driving this one back.” She looked up at him and winked. “Just try to catch me.”

His eyes widened at the challenge, but before he could say anything else, Jasper was back with the title and a bill of sale. Nikoli made sure the title was signed, then handed over the check.

“Good doing business with you.” Jasper nodded and went back inside the house.

Nikoli turned his attention back to Lily. He crouched down in front of the driver’s window. “Are you sure about this? I can always bring Luther back to…”

“I’m fine, Nikoli,” she told him. “I’m more comfortable behind the wheel of a car than I am anywhere else. I’m not going to crash her. I promise.”

“Okay, follow me to the station. Let’s hope there’s enough gas in there to make it. I’d hate to leave it on the side of the road even long enough to go get gas.”

Lily nodded and obediently followed him to the station. Once the tank was full, she grinned. The boy had no idea how well she could drive. Her dad may have died, but she loved cars and had spent her teenage years learning all sorts of tricks. This baby had all the bells and whistles she could ever want. Not only was she in the driver’s seat of one of the most awesome cars ever created, she’d managed to actually touch Nikoli. That still made her smile from ear to ear. It wasn’t major to most people, but it was to her.

Nikoli came out of the store and handed her a cold bottle of water. “You ready?”

“Are you?” She grinned up at him.

“Oh, Milaya, I’m always ready.” His fingers reached out and traced her cheek. She barely flinched and didn’t pull away. She was getting used to the feel of his hands on her. She looked at him, shocked and surprised. Why wasn’t she freaking out? It made no sense to her.#p#分页标题#e#