Page 14 of Fault Line

“Feel like mixing it up.”

I contemplate his offer for a long moment. It would be a quick ride back to our apartment, maybe a few minutes spent together in total. It’s not like I would owe him anything in return. Plus, I’m a big fan of saving both money and time.

“Yeah, okay,” I finally agree. “I’ll take a ride.”

“My car’s just around back.”

I follow him around the house to their private parking lot. Of course, this man drives a fucking convertible Ferrari. It’s all sorts of extravagant and flashy, especially for a college student. And when you’re living in a small coastal town like ours, the smallest of things will draw attention.

Holden must crave it.

But since he’s doing me a favor tonight, I bite back all the snarky comments I’d like to make aloud.

“Soo ...” I trail off instead, an awkward attempt at civil conversation.

“You want to tell me why you’re leaving so early?” he cuts in with a blunt question, a direct hit to my already fragile psyche. “I thought you were on a mission tonight.”

I swallow thickly. “Yeah, I struck out.”

“Really?” He shifts gears as he continues, reversing from the lot. “Looked like you were about to score a home run.”

I scratch my forearm. “Wasn’t as interested in him as I thought.”

“Why not?” He yawns, absentmindedly tapping his thumb against the steering wheel. We pull onto the main street as he adds, “Dougie’s a good guy.”

“Oh? Should I go back there, then?” I snort a laugh. “GiveDougieanother shot?”

“Wouldn’t go that far.”

“How far would you go, then?”

He’s taken aback by my sharp tone. “What?”

“You heard me. I said, how far would you go? Because from where I’m sitting, it sure seems like you’re determined to cockblock me.”

A grunt-snort hybrid escapes him. “The things you dream up in that head of yours, Karras.”

“I’m right, aren’t I?” I force down a lump in my throat, steeling my spine with confidence. “For some twisted reason, you want me all for yourself.”

“Fine.” His grip on the steering wheel tightens, but his gaze stays painfully neutral. “Say you’re right. Say Idowant you. Then what?”

“It’s never gonna happen. You know that, right?” My voice drops low, confusion coloring my tone. “You’ve made it your life’s mission to get under my skin. You’re annoying as hell, and you’re always pushing my boundaries, so—”

“If you want to set real boundaries with me, Karras, I’ll respect them. But something tells me you get some sort of sick enjoyment out of our bickering.” He licks his lips, his gaze cutting to me for no more than a split second. “I know I sure as hell do.”

A thick silence rings through the heavy air between us. I have no fucking clue what to even say to that, so I keep my lips pressed tightly shut.

“If I’m way off base right now, just tell me,” he continues, caramel eyes flashing with contrition. “Hand to God, I won’t bother you again.”

“What do you mean?”

“I won’t approach you,” he says softly, seriously. “I won’t speak to you unless I’m spoken to. In fact, I won’t even give you a second look if that’s what you want from me.”

My shoulders slump. “Oh.”

“Is that what you want, Kaia?”

“No.” My throat’s filled with gravel, the jagged shards burning through me as I swallow. “No, that’s not what I want.”

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