Trouble(49)

I’d be lying if I said my heart wasn’t in my stomach. Or that my pulse is beating so loud it’s all I can hear.

I’ve just got my car door open when his hand comes on the door from behind me, holding it shut.

I bristle. He’s close. Millimeters away I’d say.

My body reacts with fear … and lust.

Quite an abundance of lust, in fact.

I know I find Jordan attractive—okay, I’ve got the serious hots for him, but the level of desire I feel right now is off the charts. I’ve never felt anything like it. It’s coming off me in waves.

I’m all weak knees and wet panties. I’ve never felt this turned on before. One minute I’m pulling up my big girl panties, and the next I’m more than willing to drop them for him.

To say I’m confused is putting it mildly.

Getting back to my task at hand, I push all my confusing lusty feelings aside, take a deep breath in, square my shoulders, and turn around.

And … he’s smiling.

No, he’s grinning.

There’s something else in his eyes. I think I know what it is because it more than likely mirrors my own eyes right now, but I could be wrong.

I’m not exactly the most experienced when it comes to men.

And Jordan and me right now? Not a good idea. No matter how sweet, funny, and gorgeous he might be. Yes, he is the epitome of sex. So freaking hot. I bet he’s amazing in bed. I can only imagine what he looks like under those clothes of his…

I hear a low chuckle, and it snaps me out of my sex thoughts. I realize I’ve been ogling his body like a pervert.

Great. Just great.

My face flushes bright red. “Something funny?” I snap.

“Nope.” Shaking his head, he flashes me a glimpse of his white teeth.

I tilt my head to the side with my hands on my hips. “So, why exactly are you laughing at me?”

His eyes flicker down my body, then back up again. I feel it, like he’s just run his hands all over me.

“For a tiny thing, you sure can be feisty.”

Arguing the tiny part would be a moot point because I am vertically challenged. But a ‘thing’? Hmm … I don’t think so.

I fold my arms over my chest and straighten my back. “I’m not a thing.”

He eyes me for a long moment. His face suddenly a blank canvas. Then he leans down and says close to my ear, “Bad choice of words. You’re right. You are most definitely not a thing. You, Mia … are most definitely a woman.”

My stomach jolts, and I can’t help the gasp that escapes me. I press my thighs together.

From the laugh and cocky look on his face, he totally knows the effect he just had on me.

It annoys me.

And turns me on.

In equal parts.

Smiling, he runs a hand through his hair. “Fine. We’ll do this your way. You can pay for the gas.”

What?

What were we talking about again?

Oh, yeah. Paying for gas.

Wow. Well … that was easy.

I’ve never in my life won an argument. And that instantly makes me suspicious.

I narrow my gaze on him. “Why are you giving in so easy?”

“Why are you questioning it?”

“Because … uh … because…” Because this isn’t life as I know it. “Because the men I know don’t back down so easy.” They don’t back down ever.

Sorrow flickers briefly in his eyes. I hate the way it makes me feel.

Exposed and vulnerable.

The two things I really do not want to feel right now.

“Men you knew, Mia,” he says. “Not me. And surprisingly, I can compromise. Not all the time, so don’t go getting used to it.” He grins. “I just don’t want to spend the next however long disagreeing with you over this when I know I’m gonna end up giving into you anyway.”

“Because?”

Taking a step back, his arms fold over his broad chest.

“Because you’re a hard girl to say no to.”

Oh. Okay then.

I suddenly feel lightheaded.

And light-hearted.

“So are you going to take this win and get back in the car?” He sweeps a hand in the direction of the Mustang. “Or are you going to stand here all day being stubborn about it?”

I bite the smile that’s forcing its way onto my lips. “Well, I’m not one to gloat.” I throw him a smug grin as I walk past him, destination Mustang.

He’s quiet behind me. I only know he’s following from the crunch of the gravel under his feet.

“Did you know you swing your ass when you walk?”

What?

I stop, shocked that he’s just said that about my ass. And also a little turned on hearing him talk about my ass.

Turned on. Again.

Jesus.

I didn’t actually know that I swing my ass when I walk, but that’s beside the point. I scowl at him over my shoulder. “And your point is?”