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She bit her lip to conceal the smile.
“Go ahead, make fun.”
“Oh, I’m not. It’s just… it’s pretty sexy, actually. I don’t read much, but I do cosplay, and I’ve been to many conventions where some of the coolest costumes were based on fantasy book characters.”
“I didn’t know you cosplayed.”
“You really don’t go on social media, do you?”
“No, I don’t, but now I’m starting to think I should.” He nodded toward her bedroom, sending an unexpected flurry of butterflies to take flight in her stomach. “Go grab a change of clothes. Stay at my place for the night, and tomorrow I’ll come check out the door.”
“Why not look at it tonight?” She needed to be reasonable here. She couldn’t just jump on his bike and let him sweep her off to his place without at least an attempt to push back.
“Because the last thing I feel like doing right now is playing with a door when we can be at my place going through pictures of our cosplay outfits.”
Our? “Wait a second. You cosplay, too?”
He shrugged. “I have dabbled in it. I’m not crazy into it like some people, but I’ve attended a few comic conventions over the years. It’s just good old-fashioned fun. Kind of reminds me of Halloween with all the costumes, and since that’s my favorite holiday, it was a natural transition.”
“It’s my favorite holiday, too!” She bounced in place like a child who was just told they were going to Disney. “You have pictures?”
“A few.”
“Okay, I will pack a change of clothes, but we will get up early to get my car, so I don’t become the talk of the town. I have enough people calling me a whore. I can’t handle anymore.”
“Hey…” Garrett’s brows pulled together as he moved toward her and cupped her face. His thumb ran across the apple of her cheek, and she sunk into his caress. “Don’t say that.”
“Why not? I’m just repeating what everyone else is saying.”
“Those people are assholes on the internet who don’t know you from a hole in the wall. You may have only been in my life for a short time, but I know you, Harley Love, and you have nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing to hide from. And the people of this town will most likely gossip, but they’d never call you anything straight to your face.” He laughed, causing creases to appear around his eyes.
“Oh good, so they’ll think it, but won’t say it. I’m not sure what’s worse.” Though she knew what was worse. Hearing what people actually thought was brutal.
“What does it matter?” His voice slipped into a growl.
She swallowed. “It shouldn’t, but it does.”
“I promise to have you to your car before anyone notices.”
With a nod, she stepped away. His hand fell to his side, but his touch lingered on her skin as she grabbed her stuff and got back on his bike. She held onto him, resting her head against his shoulder blade, wishing the helmet wasn’t between them, so she could feel his warmth against her cheek.
His place wasn’t too far from hers, and before she could fully relax into the broad muscles of his back, they came to a stop. He hopped from the bike and helped her down. She took the helmet off and gave it back to him. This time, he brushed the hair off her face. Their eyes locked, and she wondered if this was a good idea.
She wanted nothing more than to kiss those lips and feel his bare skin beneath her fingertips, but allowing her desire to take over would prove all the trolls right, no matter what Garrett said.
Those trolls were no longer the enemy. It was her own mind that was. Somehow, the trolls were using her as a weapon against herself, and she hated they had the power to do so. She wasn’t strong enough to rise above their bullshit and claim her mind as hers again. At least then if she wanted to sleep with Garrett, she wouldn’t hold judgment against herself.
“You okay?” Garrett asked when he walked and she didn’t follow.
“Yes, sorry. Lost in thought.” She forced a smile, but even she could tell it fell short.
Garrett held his hands up. “I promise to be nothing less than a gentleman.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about,” she said, and he arched an eyebrow. “Lead the way.” There was no chance she was going to let him dwell on her comment.
He swung his hand out to the house. “This is my place.”
It was a cozy bungalow with blue siding and four steps leading to a wraparound porch and a yellow door. It looked like new construction but held the charm of a period long since gone.
