Page 18 of Take Her On

But the fierce wind blew the woman’s hair across her face like a poorly constructed comedy sketch. Her attempts to push it off were futile as it whipped back with a mind of its own. No matter the strange tension between them, Jamie couldn’t just leave her.

She lowered the music and brought the car to a crawl. Maya continued walking, either unaware or pretending she hadn’t seen her. She must be freezing.

Jamie wound the passenger-side window down, and Maya glanced up. Those dark eyes of hers were haunting, piercing straight into hers.

“You want a ride?” Jamie called, glancing over her training shorts and bare legs. What the hell is she thinking?

Maya shook her head and continued walking. The car continued to roll beside her.

“You look cold,” Jamie went on.

“I’m fine.”

“Come on, Maya. Stop being so stubborn and get in the car.”

Maya’s sudden coming to a halt made Jamie squeeze the brakes.

She stuck her head through the passenger window. “I said I’m fine. Do you have a problem with your hearing?”

Jamie couldn’t help but laugh. Maya’s brazenness had caught her off guard, and even when she was furious and soaked to the skin, the way she looked at her with such anger made her heart race.

“Skip. I’m offering you a lift, not trying to rob you. Just let me take you home.”

Memories of a drunken Maya flashed behind her eyelids. Her slender body slumped across Jamie’s backseat, dark hair covering her face, the sniffles audible over Jamie’s music. Jamie had inadvertently become the captain’s taxi driver. Does she even remember?

Two droplets slid down Maya’s nose, leaving black dots on Jamie’s passenger seat. She was debating it. Maybe she needed a little more convincing.

Jamie raised an eyebrow. “Or I could accompany you home and give a running commentary on how drenched you look. Maybe live stream it or something. Your hair looks really great like that, by the way. Very swimmer chic.”

Maya pushed the slick strands back from her face, and then, without a word, clunked open the door and collapsed into the seat.

Goosebumps rippled over her olive skin, and she shivered, her teeth chattering.

“Here.” Without thinking, Jamie pulled her black hoodie over her head and dropped it onto Maya’s lap. “You’re freezing.”

She stared at it for a moment, her lips pressed together.

“Maya. It’s only a jumper.” When she still didn’t move, Jamie’s voice fell serious. “Just put the damn thing on. You’re so unbelievably stubborn.”

With a huff, she acquiesced, shrugging the soft, oversized material over her head. Jamie’s breath caught in her throat, momentarily stunned by the sight of Maya in her clothing. She hadn’t expected her to look so hot—especially in her current state.

Maya sighed and leaned back in the seat.

“Better?” Jamie asked, cranking up the heating, blowing hot air from the vents.

She nodded.

Guess that’s the best I’m gonna get.

When it was clear Maya wasn’t going to provide anything else, Jamie chuckled softly and started the engine.

They drove in silence. The windscreen wipers whipped across the window with a melodious thunk as the rain poured from the skies. Music from the stereo hummed from the speakers, the volume low. Jamie tapped her fingers on the wheel as they waited at a red light.

“I guess you don’t want to talk about it?”

Maya shook her head.

“That’s fair enough. I respect that.”