Lift

“One of what?” I pretend to be offended as he grabs chips next.

“I have no idea, I just like hearing you talk. You seem to answer when I make you mad.”

I have to tuck my chin so that he doesn’t see the blush on my cheeks. Who the hell is this guy?

“So how long have you been picking up strangers and then threatening them with pepper spray?” God, could he be any more handsome? He’s got a freaking dimple on one side when he smiles.

“I’ve been doing it a few months now, but you’re lucky. You were the first one I’ve had to threaten.”

“I like being your first.” His deep voice is all too knowing and I have to turn around and pretend to read the labels on the cans of tuna so he can’t see my face.

He can’t possibly know I’m a virgin. Right? Oh god, I want a hole in the ground to open up and swallow me. Is that too much to ask?

“Do you like it?” he asks as we move to the next aisle.

“Honestly?” I say, and he stops.

“Yeah, I’d like for you to be honest with me.”

“It’s a lot of hours and just okay money. But I’m trying to figure out what to do next.” It’s the first time I’ve said that out loud and it’s just as scary as it is in my head. I have no idea what I’m doing or what the future holds, but I’ve got to do something soon.

“You seem like you’ve got a good head on your shoulders.” He smiles like he’s got a secret. “I mean, besides not reading instructions on a weapon.”

“You just can’t let that go, can you?” I say playfully, and he stops pushing the cart to turn and face me.

“Now why would I ever let you go?”

He reaches out and for a second, I think he’s going pull me to him. Instead his hand comes up and he barely touches my cheekbone before he pulls it back.

“Make a wish,” he says, holding an eyelash between his fingers.

It’s so silly, but I used to do that all the time as a little girl. I’d wish for stupid things like a pony or a unicorn. I haven’t done it in so long, but something about this moment feels really nice. And I haven’t had nice in a very long time.

Closing my eyes, I think of what my heart wants most in the world and concentrate. When I’ve got my wish in my mind I nod and open my eyes. Harris has moved closer and he’s right in front of me as he holds my wish.

“You’ve got to blow,” he says softly.

I look up at him, and his scent of fresh soap and trees invade my senses. I put my lips together and do as he asks and the eyelash floats away. We both stand there, moving closer and closer until suddenly the loudspeaker comes on announcing the store is closing.

“I guess you better finish your shopping,” I say, taking a step back and trying to catch my breath. What the hell just happened?

“Yeah, I guess so. Otherwise I might die of starvation.”

He looks at my mouth when he says it, but he turns the corner and goes down another aisle. Is it my imagination or is there something more happening here? I think the sleep deprivation is playing tricks on me. I’ve got to get some rest or I’m going to go crazy.

Chapter Four

Harris

God, she’s beautiful. I watch her as she stares at the candy display and the cashier scans my groceries. When her pink tongue peeks out I reach over and purposely brush my arm against hers. She doesn’t pull away from me as I grab the candy bar she’s been eyeing the whole time.

“For the car ride,” I say, and she shakes her head and her blonde hair falls over one shoulder.

She has a tell, but I’m not about to inform her of it. Not when I can exploit it to my advantage. When she wants something, she licks the corner of her lips. I noticed it every time she saw something she wanted. I would grab it and then I’d watch her fight a smile. Or hide her blushes when I’d get too close.

She’s skittish, but I’m not one to back down from a challenge. I’ve never chased a girl before and I have a feeling I’m going to need to learn how.

How could I have thought she was a kid when I got into the backseat? I stand here now looking at her and she’s all woman. I breathe deep and her sugary sweet smell feeds a new hunger I’ve never felt before.

“Will you share?” she asks, tilting her head back to look up at me.

She’s too small to be wandering around late at night all alone. I don’t care if she lives in Pleasant Hill, she has temptation written all over her and she doesn’t even know it. Sure, she knows to be careful, but I don’t think she understands how she brings something out in a man that has him questioning what he’d do to get closer to her.