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“Dakota?” Zane stares at me hard, his truck idling. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” My voice cracks, and I clear my throat. “What are you doing here?”
“I came looking for you.” His gaze is earnest. Holy crap, he actually came after me.
I can’t help a smile. “Thanks.”
“Hop in. I got your purse, too.”
He leans over and opens the door for me. I climb up and settle into the seat. His truck smells of exhaust, ink and faintly of cigarettes. I slam the door shut, and Zane gazes at me sideways, his big hands on the wheel.
“So where to? Back to the bar or home sweet home?”
“Home.” I swallow and look away. “I think I’m done for tonight.”
He gives a soft snort that I don’t know how to interpret and pulls off the curb. “You’re staying at Tessa’s, right?”
“Yeah.”
His scent overlays the scent of the truck—something dark and sharp. Delicious. I steal a glance at him as he drives, at his clean profile, the square cut of his jaw, his beautiful mouth. His inked arms flex as he turns into an avenue, the colorful designs shifting. I see black waves, clouds and blossoms.
My bag is on the seat between us. I grab my phone and send a text to Tessa, to let her know I’m okay and heading home.
“Did something happen?” He changes gears, and I’m entranced by the way his hands move, strong and graceful. “I mean, you ran out of the bar. We were worried.”
“I just needed air. Were you really worried?” Ah yeah, my mouth tends to spew out my thoughts without a filter when I’m around Zane. Crap.
He doesn’t answer my question and doesn’t take his eyes off the road, but he gives me a quick, crooked smile that makes my heart flip over. “I like your skirt. You have beautiful legs.”
I open my mouth and close it, then turn my face away. My cheeks are hot. He makes me feel like he’s the first boy to ever pay me a compliment. Like he’s the first boy I believe. The first I trust.
Ironic, on the heels of what happened at the bar. You’d think my trust would be shaken, that even if Megan is just a friend, I’d be more wary. But his solid presence next to me, the fact he left right after me, looking for me, makes me feel warm all over.
He turns into Tessa’s street and parks outside her building. He kills the engine, and the silence is deafening.
I suck a deep breath. “Thanks for driving me here. And for my bag.”
“No problem. Got your key?”
“Yeah.” I lean over and give him a peck on the cheek, then turn to open the door and get out.
“Dakota?” His voice is strangled, and I turn around to look at him. He’s trailing his hand over his cheek, where I kissed him.
“Yes?”
He lowers his hand and cocks his head to the side, regarding me. Emotions flash through his eyes, too quickly for me to decipher. Then he says, “I’m coming up with you, to make sure you’re fine.”
The short ride in the elevator is… interesting. He’s so close, it’s hard not to touch him as I turn to press the button. I can hear him breathing, and when the doors open, I brush against him to get out.
He follows me and leans beside the door as I unlock it. “Invite me for a drink?” he whispers. He pushes off the wall, his T-shirt stretching tight over his muscular chest and broad shoulders.
“Sure.” I wipe my sweaty palms on my skirt. “Come in.”
It’s not until I close the door and turn to face him that it hits me: Zane Madden is alone with me in the apartment. Holy shit. I mean, sure, we were alone at his apartment twice already, but that felt different. I had gone over to check if he was okay. This time he asked to come in. For a drink.
I turn toward the kitchen. “Let me check what drinks Tessa has—”
“No.” He’s at my back, his hands on my hips. “I had a different drink in mind.”
