Glitch (Next Level #1)(13)

She steps out of my way, ushering me inside. Her place is cute and cheery. Tiny and clean. It smells like oranges.

“So, what do I owe you?”

It takes me a second to understand what she just asked. “Nothing.”

“Come on, Glitch. Don’t do that.”

“Don’t do what?” I set the box down and shove my hands in my pockets.

“You helped me out. And you delivered it to my house. I owe you something for your effort.”

I can think of a million ways she could repay me, and none of them include a dollar figure. “No, it’s fine. Really.”

“Glitch.” She regards me with an incredulous look that I’d love to kiss off her face. “Seriously. You have a business and I’m your customer. At least let me pay you for your time.”

“Dinner.” My time is all hers. And I’m not hurting for business.

“Excuse me?”

“I want to take you to dinner. That’s what I want as payment.” The rest of what I want can wait.

Her cheeks turn bright pink. “Okay.”

My smile goes a mile wide. “Where would you like to go?”

“You mean now?”

This date is long overdue, if I’m being honest. “Now sounds good to me. Unless…” I slowly close the gap between us, “you’ve eaten already.” The moment I say it, I know she has. Some people are easy to read and Ara’s definitely one of them.

“I had a late lunch.” She tucks her hair behind her ear. “But we can still go out. I can grab something light.”

“I don’t want you to eat light.” God help me, but even I catch how much my register drops as I talk to her. “I want you ravenous.”

Her pupils blow wide.

I love how responsive she is to me. It makes me want to say a million dirty things to her. I wonder what she’d do if I did?





Chapter 7


Ara



Wearing a maxi dress was a big mistake. I’m wet. If I sit, it’s going to show. I’d forgone underwear because… well…

Like I said, big mistake.

Glitch is staring at me like he wants me for dinner. And he’s got green eyes with blue and yellow flecks in them that seem to darken the more I stare. He sucks in his bottom lip, and my eyes drift to his mouth. Jesus, this man is fine.

Dressed in a dark gray t-shirt and jeans, he looks both dangerous and unassuming at the same time. He pulls his hands out of his pockets and I glance at his ink. There are so many images curving around his muscles, it’s amazing.

Out of nowhere, I hear his stomach growl. Loudly. Now I feel terrible for not just lying to him and saying, Yes, take me to dinner now. I’m starving! “What do you want to eat?”

He smiles at me wickedly. “You.”

Holy Hell. I don’t think he’s lying. Heat floods my body and it’s hard to breathe. You can do this, Ara. You can totally do this. Look, talking trash to your friends online over a game is not the same as talking dirty to a man you’ve been fantasizing over and getting off on for months.

But I’m going to try my best.

I step closer and press my hand to his chest. Holy wow, his body is hard. The steady, strong beat of his heart thuds against my palm. He’s not nervous like me. I’m glad. One of us needs to be in control here, and I know it won’t be me. I’ll fuck it up.

I lick my lips and love that he watches. “Me?” I tease breathlessly. “I might be too much for you.”

“Only one way to find out.” He leans in and waits for me to meet him in the middle. His gaze is playful and primal at the same time. It’s like staring at a panther who can’t decide what he wants to do with his mouse. Glitch brings his hand to the back of my head, threading his fingers into my hair, and brings me closer, closer, closer.

Then his stomach growls extra loud and I start laughing.

“Wow.” He grabs his belly. “I’ve legit never been cockblocked by myself before.”

The tension between us eases enough for me to take in some air. “Let’s get you some food.” I head into my kitchen, feeling Glitch’s gaze on my ass as I go.

It does look dynamite in this dress. These things are incredibly forgiving while still hella flattering. “I have…” Opening my fridge, I quickly slam it shut. “Ramen or cereal. And a half jar of pickles.”

“Ramen’s good.”

I can’t believe I’m going to make this man fucking ramen. Just shoot me now. “I haven’t been to the grocery store in forever.” Now I’m flustered. “I don’t eat much while I’m painting, so I never think to get food until it’s too late.” I grab the last pack I have, but before I can open it, Glitch takes it from me.

“Come on.” He places the ramen back in the cupboard and grabs my hand, luring me out of the kitchen.

“Where are we going?” Because my bedroom is in the opposite direction of where he’s pulling me.

“Out.”

“Okay.” I snag my keys from the little table by my door and follow him. I can’t help the cheesy grin I’m rocking. And the fact that I so easily and quickly follow his lead is alarming. I swear he could lure me into Hell, and I’d joyfully skip the whole way down.