Bailed Out (The Anna Albertini Files #2) - Rebecca Zanetti Page 0,74

a flowerpot in front of a jewelry store, pulling me with him. “You called him,” he slurred.

I reared up. “I did not.”

Aiden pulled to a stop at the curb, his eyebrows raising. “How much did you two drink?”

“A bit.” I wove to my feet and helped Clark stand. Kind of. “What are you doing here?”

“You called me,” Aiden said, parking his bike. “You said that you and bunny were fired, and you needed a ride home. Then you promised me all sorts of fun if I came and got you.”

“I—”

“You did,” Clark said before I could finish protesting. “Honestly. I had to shove my fingers in my ears.” He clamped a hand around a decorative light post. “And I have asked you repeatedly to stop calling me Bunny.”

Aiden held out a hand. “Aiden.”

“Clark Bunne. Bunne,” he emphasized. “Like bun but fancier.” He hiccupped and shook Aiden’s hand.

I snorted. “Bunny. It fits you. They’re fierce hunters, you know.”

“I don’t hunt,” Clark returned, releasing Aiden and leaning against the light post. “We might’ve had too many Makers Mules. They were good, though.”

“They were.” I smiled so wide my cheeks would’ve hurt had I been able to feel my face. “We got fired.”

Aiden crossed his arms. “Where do you live, Bunne?”

Clark pointed down the street. “Just a few blocks. I’ll head home and you’ve got Anna. Good luck, Buddy.”

Hey. What did that mean? “I need my box with all my office stuff,” I said. “Let’s take my car, and you leave your bike, Aiden.”

“Not a chance in hell.” Aiden reached out a hand. “Get on, Angel.”

Well. I liked it sometimes when he got bossy, didn’t I? Shaking my head, I moved for the bike, grabbed his muscled arms, and somehow slid into place.

Aiden handed back a helmet that had been hanging on the handlebar. “Helmet.”

“You’re not wearing one,” I protested, taking it.

“Helmet,” he repeated.

What a butt. I shoved the darn thing on and then rested against his back, tucking my arms around his waist. Man, he felt good and warm. We drove slowly for several blocks, and I opened my eyes to see that we were escorting Clark to his apartment. He had some dirt on his knees. Had he fallen again? I missed it.

Finally, Clark tripped up the stairs of his place and then was inside.

I flattened my hands over Aiden’s abs. “That was nice,” I said. “Walking Clark home. I think he had too much to drink.” I hiccupped again and felt rather than heard Aiden’s sigh.

He clamped a hand over both of mine on his stomach and pulled away from the curb, taking the easier backroads out of Timber City toward Tamarack Lake. I closed my eyes and breathed in the fragrant summer air, feeling free and safe at the same time.

Even drunk, I’d called Aiden. There was a lot about him I didn’t know, but I trusted him. I might’ve drifted off a little because the next time I opened my eyes, Aiden was lifting me off his bike, and the helmet was already off my head. “Hey. That was fast.”

He carried me toward the front door. “Keys?” Without waiting for a response, he dug into my purse and pulled them out, unlocking my door. Balancing me, he stepped inside and locked the door before setting me on my feet.

I wobbled but remained upright. “When are you going to level with me?”

He ducked his head to better study my eyes. “Go get ready for bed, and I’ll find you some aspirin and water. You’re gonna have a headache in the morning.”

Ha. I was half Italian and half Irish. I might have a mild twinge in my temples, but a hangover wasn’t in the cards yet. “Are you staying the night?”

“Is it okay if I stay the night?” he asked.

I nodded.

“All right.” He nudged me toward the bedroom. “Get ready for bed.”

I kicked off my heels and padded barefoot into my bedroom, and prepared for bed before sliding beneath the covers. Aiden appeared with a glass of water and a pill, and I took them, waiting until he got into bed with a satisfied sigh. “How come we never stay at your place?” I cuddled into his side.

“My place is a dump and you deserve better,” he said, settling around me.

That was sweet, but I wasn’t sure it worked for me. “We should stay there sometime.”

“Fine, but you won’t like it. The Lordes party late every night. I don’t even like it.” He kissed the top of my head. “Go