What’s some grand larceny on top of her other crimes tonight?
At the front door, an odd urge drags a question from me. “How did you get into the community, anyway?” Blair glances over her shoulder and shrugs. I circle around and prop against the door, blocking her escape. She’ll answer my questions before she disappears into the darkness. “Answer me. Gemma’s at college, so that option’s out. You don’t know anyone else here.”
Blair smirks, the self-satisfaction looking irritatingly good on her. “I have my ways.”
She attempts to open the door without touching me while I’m leaning on it.
If she doesn’t know anyone here, I guess she hiked the mountain. It’s how I’d do it in her place. If that’s the truth, it doesn’t sit right with me. “The woods are dangerous at night.”
Her eyes dart up and she falls back a step. The movements are quick, but I watch in fascination as she assesses the other exit options, since I’m blocking her current choice.
“If you planned on walking,” I clarify with a gesture of my hand. “There’s a community patrol, but they don’t always scare things off.”
“I’ll manage.” She reaches for the doorknob.
“What if I make you stay.” It’s not a question. But it’s not entirely me fucking around with control. Despite promising to let her go…I’m not ready for her to leave.
Blair freezes. I’ve got her there.
Her perceptive gaze finds mine. I keep my expression smooth, not giving her any hints if I’m bluffing or not. She swallows.
“I, uh, can’t.” She’s suddenly shifty. Her fingers twist in the hem of her shirt at her side. I fold my arms. After blowing out a breath, she elaborates, “My mom will be home soon. I need to be there before that.”
Blair waits me out for the span of one heartbeat to the next, then twists the doorknob.
My resolve cracks. I can’t let her go out there like this. Christ, she’s stubborn. I look forward to bringing that bad habit under my command.
“Seriously.” I put my hand on her shoulder to stop her. “Do you need a ride to the gate? Or an Uber?”
Blair scoffs. “Still playing the gentleman act?”
Sharp laughter barks out of me. In a quick move, my arms circle her waist, twirling her around. I cage her against the door, planting my palms on either side of her head as I lean down in her space. Her body heat seeps into mine, her tits brushing against my t-shirt. If I take another step closer, I’ll pin her with my body.
“Hardly,” I rasp. “I’m worse than the danger that lurks outside. I don’t want anything to happen to my new toy.”
Her mouth twists and her dark lashes flutter. Color fills her freckled cheeks as her attention skates to my forearm flexing beside her head.
I expected big, brash reactions from her, although she never gives me a response like that when I taunt her in school. What I’m unprepared for is the way she keeps still, assessing the situation rather than trying to immediately knee my balls.
“Come on.” Blair sighs and rests her head against the door. “I’ll be fine. Really.”
It almost works on me, but the tight tremor in her shoulders gives her away, destroying her air of casualness. I make her more uncomfortable than walking through the woods at night.
I step back and chuck her under the chin with a crooked finger. This is a discovery I can use to my advantage later.
“Don’t get eaten out there.” I tuck my hands in the pockets of my sweatpants. “Can’t have you dying before the fun starts.”
Blair stares at me in disbelief, then rolls her eyes. “You’re un-fucking-believable.”
The door swings open and slams shut behind her. It echoes into the exposed beams high overhead, the modern chandelier rattling with the faint tinkle of glass and metal.
Tch. I file her insolence away. She’ll pay for that, too.
I wander back to the kitchen and lean on my elbows against the island. The scent of her cheap imitation vanilla shampoo clings to me. I’ll have to shower again to get this shit off me.
The quiet settles over the house once again. It happens faster than expected, the oppressive weight of silence almost shocking me. For a short time, I almost forgot. Now that the excitement of the night has faded, I’m left alone in my house with only my cars and my thoughts to keep me company.
When I swallow, my throat is tight.