Page 10 of Reed

My stomach tightens. Who does he think he is?

“I dare you.”

A dark expression crosses his face before he slowly stalks towards me. I hold my breath once we are toe-to-toe. He tilts my chin, his face so close to mine.

“You sure you want to do that?”

I breathe out and clear my throat, before inhaling his scent. Why does he have to smell so fucking good. I should be scared shitless right now, we just met and he’s already comfortable invading my space. For some reason though, I’m not scared, I’m intrigued.

“You won’t do it.” I test him.

He barks out a laugh before dropping his hand and taking a step back. Just when I think I was right and he actually won’t do it, he quickly bends down, wrapping his arms around my legs and lifts me over his shoulder, helmet and all.

I squeal in surprise as he marches toward the door. “Okay. You win. You can put me down now!” My free hand slaps at his back.

He slaps my ass, making me gasp. “Reed!! Put me down!!”

“What floor are you on?” He asks, completely ignoring me.

“The fourth floor. Please put me down.” I say nicer this time but, it doesn’t even phase him.

The elevator dings and he walks in with me still slung over his shoulder. My long hair sways, slapping the back of his pants. Clinging on to my purse and Lainey’s helmet for dear life with one arm, I dig my fingers into his side with the other hand so I don’t fall.

“Is this really unnecessary?”

“Maybe next time you’ll listen to me and not be a brat.”

“Excuse me? I am not a brat. And who says there will be a next time?”

He’s silent as the elevator doors open and he steps out into the hallway. Luckily we haven’t passed any of my neighbors.

“What’s the number?”

“1412. Put me down, I need to get my key out.” I say.

Of course he waits until we get to my door and slowly puts me on my feet. I feel a bit disoriented from being high and upside down so I have to close my eyes and grab onto him so I don’t fall over.

When I open my eyes he’s staring down at me.

“You can go now.” I give him a fake smile and turn to grab my keys out of my purse to open the door.

As soon as I’m able to pull them from the front pocket and get the key I need, he snatches them out of my hand.

“Hey! What the hell are you doing?” I say.

He’s silent once more as he pushes the key into the lock and turns it. When the door opens he crowds behind me like he’s about to come inside.

I hold my place outside the door, placing the helmet on the floor and turn towards him with my arms crossed. “Do you need me to say thank you in order for you to leave? Because if that’s the case… Thank you. Goodbye.”

He smirks and holds my keys above my head, out of reach.

“I’ll leave, but I need you to do something for all the trouble you’ve put me through. That is if you want these back. “

“All the trouble I put you through?” I point a finger at my chest then turn it around and shove it hard against his chest. “You’re the one who forced me to get on your bike so you could take me home. Then,” I say with extra emphasis, “you threw me over your shoulder like I’m some sort of child because I told you you didn’t have to walk me inside and now you’re holding my keys hostage.“ I shove my finger in his chest again. “I don’t owe you shit. Give me my keys.”

His other hand wraps around the one I haven’t dropped from his chest yet, making my heart thump louder in my chest. “If you want your keys back, you’re going to have to kiss me.”

I laugh, “You’re joking. I’m not kissing you.”