Page 26 of Forbidden Forward

The door squeaks open behind me, and I whirl to discover Nick. His eyes widen. “Oh shit. Sorry. Harper asked me to check on his sister.” His gaze shifts to Jackie. “He thought he saw you come out here and, uh …”

And he’s too damn busy trying to get laid to come check on her himself? What a worthless piece of shit. “I got this,” I growl. “She’s fine.”

Jackie folds her arms across her chest. “You can tell my brother I needed some fresh air, and you found me on the patio alone.” She sends a fierce glare my way. Hesitation makes her pause a beat before she hurries on. “You can also tell him I’m tired, and I called an Uber to take me home. I’ll see him later.”

Nick shifts his weight side to side. “He’s not going to like that.”

She smirks. “Probably not, but I don’t want to ruin his evening. You can also tell him you saw me climb into the rideshare I ordered.”

We both gape at her. Nick poses the logical question my brain is still grappling with. “How are you going to get home?”

A helpless look comes into her eyes, spurring me to blurt out, “I’m her rideshare.” I lift my eyebrows at her, silently asking her permission.

She bobs her little chin. “He’s my rideshare.”

Nick does a half spin and slams his hands on the top of his head. “Oh fuuuuck!” Then he levels me with a stern look. “You do realize if I deliver that message he’s going to tear out my throat?”

“So don’t deliver the whole message.” My voice is calm, even-keeled, as I make the worst decision of my life. “Just tell him you watched her leave safely tucked into her rideshare.”

“Chaser, I don’t think—”

“It’s okay,” Jackie interrupts. Her eyes flick toward me. “I was about to ask him for a ride anyway, but I’d rather you didn’t tell my brother that part. For obvious reasons.” She offers him a sweet smile that should convince him. It would convince me if I were in his spot.

My insides do a happy dance, ignoring the voice in my head that tells me what a supremely stupid idea this is. But is it? I want to be sure she’s safe, and I’m the right man for the job. In fact, I don’t trust anyone else—including her brother, who’d probably drop her off on the street so he can race back to this evening’s conquest.

A thought stops me in my tracks. “What about your purse? Your coat?”

“I didn’t bring a purse, and I left my coat in Donny’s car. I’ve got everything I need.” She casts a look my way that I can’t read. The first thought to surface in my underperforming brain is that I could be everything she needs, but I backstep because that’s ludicrous. I could be everything she needs for a night or three, but if we’re talking something deeper here, I’m not her guy. She needs—no, she deserves—someone much better than me.

Nick’s eyes bounce between us. I pull my key fob from my pocket and twirl it while I look at Jackie. “We’d better go before your brother wonders what’s taking Nick so long.” Logic makes a cameo appearance, and I give her an out. “Unless you’ve changed your mind, in which case Nick can walk you back into the restaurant. No skin off my nose.”

Her lips part for an instant, as if she’s debating, then her mouth firms. “No, I’m coming with you.”

I pick up my coat. “Do me a favor, then, and put this on.” This time she accepts my offer and slides her arms into the sleeves, which hang off her like some fashion choice gone really wrong. Meanwhile, Nick’s nerves are on full display as he twitches in place and mutters to himself.

With my hand in the small of her back, I nudge Jackie toward the parking lot and my truck. I glance over my shoulder at Nick and give him a nod of encouragement. “Thanks, bro,” I mouth. He simply shakes his head and retreats into the restaurant.

Opening the passenger door, I get Jackie situated and jog around to the driver’s side. No need to tempt fate and spend more time in the parking lot. Harper might come looking for his sister. That’s what I’d do in his loafers.

Making sure she’s belted in, I crank on the engine and turn my head her way. “Where to?”

“Home, James.” A hint of a smile lifts one side of her mouth.

“And where’s that?” Her fragrance fills my cab, and I covertly take a deep inhale before telling myself to knock it off.

“Oh, right. You’ve never been there.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, your brother and I aren’t exactly bosom buds.” My voice is as dry as the breadsticks they served tonight.

“Well, duh,” she grouses before she gives me directions.

Twenty minutes later, we’re in front of my condo building. “Your brother lives here?”

She nods. “Lots of players do.”

“Including me.”

Her wide eyes lock on mine. “You’re kidding.”