Leaning in a little, he set his nose against the collar of my shirt and breathed in. As he exhaled, he made a husky sound low in his throat. I whimpered as his breath fanned across the skin of my neck. Having him so close was electric, and I almost groaned when he pulled away and stood up straight before setting his hands on the roof of the car and looking down at me.
“You smell like the best kind of dream,” he said huskily.
My core clenched as I licked my lips and stared at him hungrily. He looked like he wanted to throw me into the backseat and fuck me right there.
As I looked at him, it dawned on me nothing was making sense. The man was rich, hot and crazy successful. Why would he want some teenage idiot from Riverside? I frowned as I dropped my head to hide my blush.
I told myself that somehow I’d been blowing everything out of proportion. Maybe he was just a really nice guy with a hero complex. I whimpered when he put two fingers under my chin and tilted my head up.
He looked concerned as he assessed my expression. “What’s wrong, Angel?”
I shook my head, licking my lips nervously as I did. His gaze dropped to my lips and he watched, seemingly fascinated.
“Nothing is wrong,” I lied.
His eyes came back to mine, and he stared at me like I was a puzzle he was desperate to solve. I looked away, hoping he couldn’t see how much I wanted him. It was embarrassing enough that I’d imagined for even one second he liked me. He didn’t need to know I was drooling over him. My mouth went dry when he let out a bark of laughter.
“My angel,” he chuckled, “so sweet. You never have to doubt me, never need to feel shame. Trust me, Natalie.”
My heart all but pounded out of my chest as I licked my lips and stared at him, anxious to see if he’d say anything else.
Lifting his hand, he traced a finger down my cheek.
“Drive safely,” he instructed. “Not because of the car, fuck the car—but because of you. You’re the most valuable thing here. Got me?”
I nodded like a bobble-head. After closing my door, he tapped on the hood and smiled before walking away. I forcefully shook myself out of it as I pressed the start button for the Range Rover. It purred to life quietly but powerfully, which I was not used to. I groaned when my Honda started behind me, and I heard the rattle of my muffler. Robert and Eric claimed it was almost as loud as a Harley. It wasn’t, at least not yet, but it was annoying, and I was a little embarrassed that Jordan was in my clunker.
I let out a little sigh of enjoyment as I traced over the buttery soft leather of the steering wheel. After putting the car into gear, I reversed out of the spot and pointed the car toward the exit. I drove cautiously, stopping at lights that were merely a hint of yellow. Jordan stayed right behind me, and at every stop I found myself staring at the rearview mirror to catch little glimpses of him. He was so manly, sexy, and gorgeous, I wanted to eat him up. My skin felt too tight on my body, and I was flushed because the car smelled like him, which made me crazy.
A relieved breath escaped me as I pulled into the driveway of the duplex where I lived and parked the Range Rover. I made it all the way there without scratching a thing, and I was ecstatic. I’d have been mortified if I scratched his car.
Stepping out of the Rover, I grimaced as Jordan parked my Prelude next to me. The engine really was quite loud.
When he got out, he slammed the door behind him and came to my side.
“How’d you like my ride?” he asked.
I couldn’t help the giant grin that spread across my face. “It was magical,” I answered happily. “I’ve never been in something so smooth and perfect, not even my Moms car. I’m going to start playing the lottery so I can buy one for myself,” I laughed. “I’ve always wanted a Mercedes but the Range Rover… that’s where it’s at.”
“If you want, then you’ll have both,” he said.
With a roll of my eyes I turned away and headed for the stairs that led up to my house, gesturing for him to follow. Robert and Eric lived in the bottom unit and my mom and I had the upstairs.
“The day I’ve got enough money to get two cars—much less a Range Rover and a Mercedes—is the day pigs fly,” I said over my shoulder. “Besides, I’m a ride or die kind of girl. I’ll be loyal to my car. No need to have two.”