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I rotate around and try to pry his fingers from the back of my shirt. “Let me? You can’t make me do anything.”
He refuses to let go. “I know, but … we have a deal. You owe me a favor.”
“You said my silence was today’s favor,” I grit through my teeth, resorting to tugging on my shirt.
“Yeah, well, I want two favors this morning.” He holds my shirt tighter.
“No way. I’m not just going to give you an extra favor.” Deep down, I don’t really want to walk home. But the fact that he thinks he can tell me not to is infuriating.
“Will you just quit arguing? You’re just being difficult to be difficult.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes you are.” He heaves an exasperated breath when I tug on my shirt again. “Will you please just listen to me for a minute? I’m not trying to be controlling. I’m trying to help you.”
“Sure you are.” I yank on my shirt again, refusing to listen. Sure, we may have had a small moment of understanding in the car, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let him boss me around now.
When I pull on my shirt again, I throw my weight into it and end up losing my balance. I trip backward, my fingers falling from my shirt as I reach out to grip his arm for support. But he stumbles over his own feet and we both end up falling.
I wince as my back hits the floor and Blaise lands on top of me, his chest pressing against mine. He does manage to get his hands down at the very last second, softening some of the impact, but his knees bang against my shins.
He hurriedly pushes back, staring down at me worriedly. “Holy shit, are you okay?”
I bob my head up and down, blinking as my eyes water from the pain in my shins. “Yeah, I think so. Just as long as you’ll get off me.” I lightly shove his chest.
He slightly lifts his weight off me. “I will, but only if you promise not to walk home. This part of town … it’s not always safe.”
“I’m not going to let you scare me into staying here.” I push on his chest again, but he doesn’t budge. “Dude, don’t make me put you in a headlock.”
He chuckles, his eyes crinkling around the corners. “I’m not so sure that’s a threat.”
I lift a brow. “Are you questioning my headlock ability?”
“No, not at all.” His expression is completely serious. “It just wouldn’t bother me as much as you’d want it to.”
“You say that now, but twenty bucks says you tap out within the first minute.”
He laughs wholeheartedly this time, and the sight makes him look ridiculously pretty. It’s both irritating and mesmerizing.
“This isn’t funny.” I pinch his nipple.
“You’re seriously violent.” He pushes back to rub his chest, laughter still tickling his tone until he sighs. “Look, I don’t want to fight with you, or be the guy pinning you down to the floor—well, for this reason anyway—but I’m trying to protect you. I swear.” His loud exhale sweeps across my face, his breath minty. “There’s a lot about this town you don’t know about yet. And there’re some areas … and certain people who are … trouble. Trust me; you don’t want to go wandering around alone out here.”
He’s being too evasive. I need more of an explanation.
“Does this have anything to do with my dad working for your dad?”
He wavers, studying me. “So, you know about that?”
“Well, you did just mention my dad to those guys who work for your dad. I can put two and two together.” I’m not ready to divulge that I overheard him talking to Alex.
“Shit, I forgot I said that.” He lowers his head as he curses under his breath. He’s so close now that his hair is tickling my cheek. It feels weirdly nice, having him this close. And for some stupid reason, it makes me think of that kiss yesterday. That kiss that felt like it burned me up from the inside out.
Deep down, inside a part I’ll never admit exists, I want to press my lips to his, which is why I lean away from him.
“Was I not supposed to know my dad works for yours?” I tilt my head to the other side.
Sighing, he meets my gaze. “Sort of. I mean, your dad asked us not to say anything. Said you wouldn’t understand.”
