“What the actual fuck?” My head spins on a damn near swivel as I scan the parking lot for anything amiss. But there’s… nothing. Just average, everyday people doing average, everyday things Even so, my spine tingles with awareness. It’s almost as if I canfeelsomeone’s eyes on me, cataloging my every movement.
“Over here, Princess.”
I look up and lock eyes with Ellis as he pulls up next to me.
“Ellis.” My entire body deflates as he throws his truck into park. “Why are you yelling at me in a parking lot?”
“Didn’t want you to leave before I pulled up.”
“Ever hear of a phone?”
He shrugs. “This is more of a face-to-face kind of talk.”
“Oh,” is all I manage to get out.
“My place work?”
“You…” Every synapse in my brain simultaneously misfires. “You want me to come back to your place?”
“To talk, Scarlet. It’s not like I’m inviting you into my bed.”
I choke on air while Ellis watches from his truck, a smirk curling his lips. “Right.” I pound my fist against my chest before cracking open my drink and chugging half. “To talk.”
I planned on doing my typical Sunday reset—groceries, laundry, cleaning, and meal prep—but anything sounds better than being home alone right now—even following Ellis home totalk.
“I’ll follow you,” I murmur, sliding behind the wheel.
Ellis nods and pulls out of the parking lot, and, against my better judgment, I follow behind him.
ELEVEN
ELLIS
I regret askingher back to my place the second I pull into traffic. Something about seeing her so scared, so vulnerable has me softening toward her in a way I’m not quite sure I like.
I mean, who in their right mind sympathizes with Satan.
But,fuck.My fingers tighten on the steering wheel.How could anyone not feel for her given what she’s going through? I wouldn’t wish this shit on my worst enemy.
It doesn’t help that my traitorous brain keeps reminding me of how good she felt in my arms.
“Just stick to the facts and convince her to file a report,” I mutter, flicking on my blinker as my driveway comes into view.
A cloud of dust obscures her from my view as I creep down the unpaved path. I can already hear her whining about how dirty her car is. But that’s life down a dirt road.
I pull to a stop in front of my house and throw it in park, waiting a beat before exiting.
Sure enough, Scarlet pulls in behind me and makes a big show of coughing when she steps out. “Well, that’s just great. Guess I can add the carwash to my to-do list.”
“Called it,” I murmur, my lips curling into a self-satisfied smirk.
“Called what?” She throws her hands on her hips as she narrows her eyes.
“You complaining about the dirt.”
She rolls her eyes. “Did you ask me here to actually talk or just to talk shit?”
I shrug as I pivot on my heel, intentionally kicking up a little more dust as I head for the door. “Why can’t it be both?”
