“You will,” Marek barks. “These two don’t need to be alone tonight.”
“I can take care of myself, thank you very much.” I reach for the keys, only to have them dangled above me. Marek knows damn well, with his height, I’d need a ladder to reach them.
“This has nothing to do with your capability of caring for yourself. Now, move your little ass along beside me or else I’ll drag you.” Marek turns away and starts down the dark sidewalk. “Palmer. Now.”
Breaker and Dixon giggle like children who’ve gotten away with pulling a prank on their mom.
“You better go, Palmer.” Breaker nods his chin forward.
“He will actually drag you. That isn’t an empty threat,” Dixon adds.
“You four are pains in my ass.” I point at Breaker. “And if you hurt a single hair on that girl’s head, I’ll rip your balls out through your throat. You got me?”
My threat has Dixon rubbing his hands together in excitement. “Feisty, aren’t we?”
“We got her, Palmer. She’s safe.” Breaker runs his tattooed hand over her light hair. “I prefer my girls conscious anyway.” His rhythmic laugh somehow eases my mind.
I quicken my pace to catch up with Marek. As I turn the corner into the dark parking garage, I’m yanked forward. My head hits the brick wall, creating spots in my vision. A body slams against mine, putting enough pressure on me that I have to remind myself to breathe.
Fear should be creeping in, panic settling into every part of my mind that’s been taught to be scared of those bigger than myself, but it never comes. It is wiped away the moment a nose runs along my throat, inhaling the scent of my perfume.
My hand reaches up, and I pull back the hood on the faceless aggressor. Marek looks at me as if I’m already his. He’s bold, and there’s something in his eyes that soothes parts of me I don’t understand yet.
“Why didn’t you fight me off?” he asks as my fingers filter through the length of his hair.
“I wasn’t scared. I knew it was you.”
“I don’t care, Palmer.” He shakes his head and pushes off the brick wall. “You should have fought me off, dug in deep, and drawn blood.” The way his hands clench at his sides and the tic in his jaw has me reaching out to trace the tight skin. “Don’t.” He slaps my hand away. “That could be you, what happened in there, and I need to know you can handle yourself.”
“You were the one who pinned me against the wall and ran his face along my skin, like you wanted to taste me. And now you’re mad at me?” I shake my head, exasperated by his games. “And what is with the protective change of heart?”
“That’s the whole fucking point, Palmer. You sunk right into me like quicksand, zero fight in your body. I need you to fight me.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Marek?” I stare at him, stunned by the whiplash behavior he’s exhibited tonight.
“Nothing.” He shakes his head. “It’s nothing. Get in the fucking car.” He clicks the key fob until the lights on Delaney’s car blink. He stands a few yards from the driver’s side door. “You’ve got to be shitting me.”
We stand shoulder to shoulder, looking at her custom pink Mini Cooper.
“You’re going to look goofy as fuck. Now, do you regret not letting me drive us?” I head to the passenger side and open the door, slipping inside.
The driver door opens, and Marek bends down to gawk at me. “Did she have to have it painted this color?” he says as he slides in behind the wheel. His knees are almost pinned to his chest.
I reach around him and push the button to move his seat back. “Is that better?”
Nothing is funnier than watching Marek stretch out his legs to find there’s still not enough room.
“This is a toy car. Fit for an actual Barbie doll.”
“Want me to drive?” I freeze with my seat belt in my hand. He watches me release it, expecting him to allow me.
He reaches past me and grabs the belt to secure it around my body. “There isn’t a world where I’ll let you drive me anywhere. Not even in this Barbie car.” He laughs, shaking his head. The easiness to his laugh has my stomach fluttering.
Why is that so damn hot? And why am I even having these thoughts? This is the guy who touched between my legs in class