Brazen and Breathless (Untouchable #6) - Heather Long Page 0,53

fighting a grin.

“In business. You are not business.” At the SUV, he wrapped both arms around me, and I leaned into him as he tilted his head. “We’ll open them up together, and if it’s bad, I’ll take care of it. If it’s nothing that makes you freak out…you take care of it.”

I squinted at him. “So if it’s like a couple grand, and I don’t have a heart attack…”

He made a face.

“Rules are rules,” I pointed out. “This was your compromise.”

It was Archie’s turn to look skyward. “In all fairness, you’re right. I’ll probably still try to take care of it and then do some significant groveling to earn your forgiveness afterward. I mean…since we’re compromising.”

I laughed. “You’re impossible.”

“Not for you,” he said, then cupped my face and kissed me. I sighed right into the contact, everything else just falling away.

“Man, he can talk himself out of just about anything,” Coop admired. “Boy has skills. I say we keep him.”

Jake laughed, and I giggled.

“You guys suck,” Archie complained, then gave me another kiss before letting me go to grab my helmet. I was bouncing and ready to get back on the motorcycle.

“Actually,” I teased as I buckled it on and Ian got the bike started. “They don’t.”

“No?” Archie inquired, and I swung my leg over to climb onto the bike behind Ian.

“Nope, they don’t suck,” I said with a wink. “I do.”

His eyes flashed, and I blew him a kiss.

Ian was laughing as he backed the bike out, but not before Coop and Jake both groaned.

I missed whatever they called out, but I laughed all the way back to school.

Jake and I spent our study time in the library exploring all our options at NYU. Then he let me dig into MIT and Harvard for him and Archie, even as he reminded me that they weren’t going to Boston unless we all went to Boston.

And just like that, we started checking into other Boston-area colleges. Sure, Harvard and MIT were huge, but they weren’t the only schools in town. Jake’s sisters kept blowing up his phone, and when I asked, all he said was they were fighting and wanted him to choose sides.

“And who did you pick?”

He grinned. “You.”

I laughed, but it was sweet.

My TA period flew past, and Mr. G had more timed writing and sample tests for us in the AP Euro. I flew through the exam easy peasy, and I was feeling pretty good about it when I beat Jake by a solid minute on turning it in.

I was pretty sure my smug grin said it all, but he mimed tickling and I flipped him off, discreetly of course. Mr. G was cool, but probably better not to borrow trouble. Ian texted as we were heading out to the car. Jake and Coop were both working tonight, while Archie promised to be over later, but he had to spend some time in his workshop for whatever his and Jake’s new project was.

They were being cagey and not telling any of us what the secret project was.

Ian: Mom and Dad want to have dinner. You’re invited, but I know you wanted to get caught up on your homework.

Which I had to stay ahead on because beginning the following week, I’d be spending two days a week at Standish. Couldn’t wait.

Really.

I could.

Me: Tell them I will next time?

Ian: I will. Love you.

I grinned at that, and Jake gave me a squeeze as we headed for his SUV. Coop had brought his own car because he’d planned to work right after.

“You want to come with?” Jake offered. “We can hang out and maybe make out in between orders.”

I laughed. “The last time we said we were going to do that, there was never a lull.”

“True,” he said with a grin. “Still can’t hurt to try.”

“I’d love to, actually, but…don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m kind of looking forward to a little me time tonight.”

I loved that I never had to be alone, but sometimes, I missed having the quiet time when it was just me.

“Not taking it the wrong way at all,” Jake murmured, before he gave me a kiss. “I’m still coming back after work though, yeah?” He brushed my hair back behind one ear.

“Yes, please,” I said. “Not going to lie. I do not like sleeping alone anymore.”

“Well, you don’t have to and I get it. I’m not a huge fan of it either.” Neither of us made any move, either me getting out of