Page 9 of A Very Grumpy Neighbor

“I’ll help you?—”

“I’ve got it,” I cut him off.

I scramble out of his truck—or try to—but I slip and miss the step. I land in a heap in the grass.

“Told you to wait,” he growls as he hurries to my side.

“I’m fine,” I say, ignoring his outstretched hand.

He curses and grabs me under my arms, lifting me into the air. We’re eye to eye, and my mouth is wide open as I gawk at him.

He lifted me like I weighed nothing.

“Youdoweigh nothing,” he snaps at me.

Oh shit, I said that out loud.

“You’re saying all of this out loud,” he tells me as he sets me on my feet.

He stoops to grab my purse before wrapping his arm around my waist and marching me across our yards to my house.

I stare at the front door as he digs around in my purse for my keys.

“In,” he orders, nudging me inside. He hovers in the doorway. “I’ll give you a ride to your car in the morning.”

“Um, thanks.”

I’m not sure what to make of him. The guy seems like a jerk, but he drove me home, helped me inside, and offered to help me in the morning.

He’s giving me a headache.

He holds out my purse, and I take it from him, our fingers brushing softly. An electric jolt bursts through me, and my eyes snap to his. He stares at me, and I swear he feels it, too.

I move closer to read his expression, and he frowns at me.

I lean closer, lifting on my tiptoes.

“You smell good,” I whisper.

He tenses.

My lips brush his neck, and I kiss his cheek. A sigh escapes me.

In the morning, I’m going to regret this so much,I think, as our eyes lock.

“Jade.”

“Hmm?”

“Go to bed.”

“Okay.”

I sway slightly as I walk down the hallway to my room. I zigzag to my bed and collapse face down on the mattress with an indelicateoomph.

Someone tugs at my heels as my eyes drift shut.

“Hey!” I grumble, twisting in bed.

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