He came to a stop and she glanced over at him, startled. “What is it?”
He looked at her, but she couldn’t make out his expression in the dark. “You don’t have to tell me what is wrong, I don’t know you well enough to demand that. But I don’t like being lied to.”
He sounded so much like Sloan longing filled her. “I just have some stuff going on that I don’t want to talk about.”
“Fair enough. We all have shit in our lives we’d rather not talk about.” There was a dark note to his voice, and she wondered what problems someone like him had going on. She didn’t say anything, but he must have sensed the question because he let out a soft huff of laughter as he started driving once more. “You don’t think I can have bad stuff in my life?”
He was right, she shouldn’t just assume his life was great because he had money and power and was incredibly good-looking. “I guess you just seem like the type who wouldn’t let bad stuff happen.”
He was quiet for a moment. “If only it were that easy.”
If only.
She let her head fall back against the headrest. Then she realized he was heading towards her place without her having given him her address. “You know my address?”
He tensed beside her, the streetlights letting her see him more clearly. “I guess you weren’t the only one who was curious.”
“Why?” She was nobody. A cleaner who worked in his building. Nothing special about her, but he’d been interested enough to look her up.
Maybe he was just worried you were going to rob him.
Well, he would be if he ever saw her bank account.
“If I knew that I’d sleep easier at night,” he said under his breath.
She didn’t think he’d meant for her to hear, so she didn’t reply. She wasn’t certain it was a good thing for him to be curious. Being in this man’s radar didn’t seem like a great idea—for her job or her sanity.
They rode in silence to her place. He pulled up in front of the dilapidated apartment building, but kept his car running with the lights on. He peered out the window at her building.
“That’s where you live?” It was the same sort of voice he’d used when he was talking about her car.
“Yes,” she said shortly, feeling annoyed. What a snob. There was nothing wrong with her car, well other than the fact that it had broken down. But mostly it was reliable. And, yeah, her apartment was crap, but it was all she could afford.
She reached for her bag and grabbed the door handle.
“Wait there, I’ll come around.”
She was used to Sloan doing things like that. But coming from James the gesture took on a new meaning. She was his employee, not his date.
But she didn’t have time to protest before he was out of the car. While he didn’t run, he seemed to get her side of the car quickly. He opened the door then held out his hand.
To refuse it seemed childish. Gathering up her courage, she slipped her hand into his. The startling warmth caught her by surprise. She immediately noticed the difference from Sloan’s hands. His were large and a bit rough. They were hands that worked hard for a living.
James’s hands were different. Not soft, but the skin wasn’t rough. They weren’t large, not much bigger than hers, but there was a strength to them. As soon as she was steady, she pulled her hand back, putting it behind her back for good measure.
Do you really think he’s going to chase after your hand? Get a grip, Kinley.
“Thanks for the ride home.”
“I’m walking you to your door.”
“You don’t have to. Besides, it’s probably not a good idea to leave your car.”
He made a growling noise. She frowned. “I know this neighborhood isn’t the best—”
“It’s run-down, crime-ridden, and was rated one of the worst areas of the city to live.”
Yes, well, she wouldn’t live here if she didn’t have to. She placed her hands on her hips, her temper stirring. “Just because you’re my boss and you gave me a ride home doesn’t give you the right to be rude about where I live!”