Page 60 of Lethal Attraction

“What the fuck was that?” Emma whispers, shattering the quiet.

I start the car, every movement calm and slow as I pull us out of the garage and follow the directions that are burned into memory. Taryn and Emma’s apartment is only a few blocks away, but they aren’t paying attention to how I know that.

“Ignoring us isn’t going to erase what just happened.” Taryn says loudly.

“No, it won’t,” I agree.

“So, she can still speak.” Taryn huffs.

“What you experienced was a mistake,” I say slowly. “They mistook us for someone else.”

“HA!” Taryn belts from around my seat as she leans over the center console. “You’re joking, right? Do you think we’re just going to believe that–”

I slam on the brake, sending everyone forward before I whip around to her. “No. You’re going to believe me because it’s the sensible thing to do. You’re not going to speak about this to anyone, and you aren’t going to the gala that Burton Langford is throwing. Do you understand?”

Taryn’s brain buffers as her brows draw. Reed beats her to the question that’s souring at the tips of their tongues. “How did you know about that?”

Without answering him, I turn into the entrance of the complex. The gate buzzes open at my approach, and I roll to a stop in front of Taryn and Emma’s building.

“…We never told you where we live…” Taryn whispers.

“Have a good night,” I say without looking up to meet her eyes in the mirror.

They quietly shuffle out, and Taryn pats a hand over Reed’s shoulder before disappearing behind her front door. The quiet between us stretches so long that it thins into something uncomfortable and fragile. Even the tires rolling across the asphalt feels invasive in this moment.

“I know you want to say something.”

I’m never someone to back down from confrontation, but this is different. I’m expecting the man beside me to withdraw and rethink his decisions. Not that I would let him, but I can still give him the illusion of being in control of what’s going to happen.

“I do,” he says thoughtfully, causing my chest to squeeze.

Here it comes.

You’re too crazy.

I don’t think I can do this anymore.

We shouldn’t—

“How are you feeling?”

I blink at the road before slowly turning to face him. “What?”

His expression is soft—caring. He lifts a hand before brushing a strand of hair behind my ear like I’m precious. “That was intense. I want to know how you’re feeling.”

A startled laugh escapes me as I avoid his gaze by looking back at the road. “I’m fine.”

“Good,” he says quietly. “So that means you’re well enough to stay the night, right?”

“Reed,” I stress as my hands tighten on the wheel, “I’ve just gone and done something absolutely delusional, potentially put you all in danger, and you’re not even a little suspicious of me?”

He snorts. Actually snorts. “Oh, trust me. I have plenty of questions that you’ll answer in time, but right now I just want to focus on you.”

My jaw twinges. “What about me?”

I don’t like the way my insides twist at the attention he’s giving me. I’m not used to it…

“What do you need?” he asks softly.