Page 23 of Rush the Edge

“Are you lost?” he asks, glancing at the map on my phone screen.

I shake my head and continue to walk past. “No, I’m okay. I’ve got my map.”

Before I know it, he’s walking in stride with me. I peek at him and watch him check me out, head to toe. My stomach flips, and my finger hovers over my phone screen with the thought of calling Kane. But then, a rush of defiance flows through my veins. I’d rather drop-kick this man in the balls than call on the past for a little rescue mission.

“I can help you get to where you need to go,” he says, continuing to walk beside me. He attempts to grab my hand before I can rush out my refusal.

I move backward and put space between us. “I appreciate it, but I’m fine.”

My pace starts to quicken, but I’ve lost track of where I am. I pull my attention back to my phone and see Kane calling me. After hitting ignore, I realize that I’ve missed my next turn.

Shit.

“You can go this way.” The man’s hand lands on my arm. He begins to pull me toward a dark alley that belongs in the nextPurgemovie.

I put the brakes on. “I’d rather not get kidnapped.”

Does this guy really think I’m going to follow him into an alley?I mean, I do have some blonde to my hair, but not all blondes are stupid, okay?

The man’s laugh is gruff, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulled out candy and tried to lure me with it. Now, if he had a plant or something, then maybe I’d consider it for a second.

“I’m not going to kidnap you, honey.”

My nose scrunches. “Honey?”

He thinks for a moment and places his hand on my arm again and gives it a tug. “Baby? Sweetie? I’ll call you whatever you want to be called.”

“How about you call her nothing.” Like a bullet to my chest, I stop breathing.

I hate the relief that comes with the sight of Kane, but it’s hard not to be thankful, considering the man drops my arm and puts distance between us. He shrugs with feigned innocence. “Hey, man, she was lost. I was just helping her.”

Kane’s dark gaze slides to me, as if he’s asking me to confirm the guy’s alibi. One second passes and then another. He flicks his chin to his car, and I begrudgingly drag myself over to it because if I have to make a choice between Kane Barlow and Creepy McCreeperson, I’m choosing Kane, even if he hates me.

He remains in the same spot, a yard away from the man. I glance at his flexing fists by his sides and a protectiveness that I haven’t felt in years sweeps over me.

“Kane,” I say, half inside his car.

A faint growl climbs from his throat as he watches the man turn and head down the alley—without me. As soon as Kane turns and catches my eye, I dip down into the passenger seat and shut his door.

I’m only able to escape his scrutinizing glare for a few seconds before he’s slipping into the driver's seat to stare at me disapprovingly.

“I didn’t realize you’d still be naïve after all this time…” His reprimand lingers in the interior of his car like a stench I can’t escape from. “Especially since I was the one who took your innocence.”

I’m able to keep the shock off my face as I slowly turn in my seat and face him head on. Our eyes crash, and the air is swirling with our heated anger. “I amnotnaïve,” I say angrily. “And was that you who took my V-card? I couldn’t remember who it was.”

He scoffs so loudly his hot breath hits my face. “You couldn’t forget about that night even if you tried, Daisy-Petal.”

He’s right. Because trust me, I’ve tried.

“Don’t call me that.” I cross my arms over my heaving chest and turn away from him.

“Why? Does it bring up some memories for you?” The tone of his voice strikes a nerve.

“Probably the same ones it brings up for you,” I grumble.

Kane pulls out onto the road with a chuckle. “That would require me to think about you, so no, it doesn’t bring up any memories for me.”

“Is that so?” I only half-believe him.

---