The Naughty List (The Naughty List #1)(48)

“Check the time,” I said, feeling uneasiness creep over me. I didn’t want to be alone with him anymore. I wanted to hurry, and then go find Aiden.

Christian leaned his head back against the seat, staring at me. “We don’t have to go in,” he said quietly. He licked his lips, and I could see how hard he was trying to be smooth, suave. But he looked nervous.

My heart raced and I was completely uncomfortable. And yet there was a small part of me that was attracted to him. At least, to the attention from him. I’d been feeling so bad lately, so imperfect. And Christian was looking at me in that way—the way Aiden used to.

Christian’s hand moved from his lap and touched my fingers softly as they lay on the seat.

“Don’t,” I said quickly, moving my hand from under his. “You can’t touch me.”

He yanked his arm back, straightening up. “I’m sorry. I can’t help it sometimes. I find you fascinating.”

Was I a science experiment? Did he want to pin me down and dissect me?

I slid the camera into my purse and pushed the door open so hastily that I nearly fell out. I could barely catch my breath as I started speed walking across the parking lot barely able to catch my breath. Christian was immediately behind me.

“You’re freaked out, right?” he asked, sounding apologetic.

“No more talking,” I said. I didn’t care about the assignment anymore. I just wanted to get the pictures and leave.

We got inside the old-fashioned theater, and Christian rushed ahead to the glass-enclosed ticket booth. I let him buy the tickets as I scoped the scene.

“Do you want popcorn or a soda?” he asked as he came over to me, motioning toward the concessions. I curled my lip.

“Christian, this is absolutely not a date.”

“Right,” he said, smiling. “Forgot.”

I stared at him, not sure if I could trust him to stay undercover. We still had to find Isaac. It figured that he’d talked about seeing some horror movie. I hated them. I wasn’t easily scared, but I just felt so bad when people got murdered. It was gross.

Christian agreed to be quiet, but I couldn’t help but feel like he was mocking me. Like this was all just an excuse to be around me. I mean, I knew it was, but I also thought he wanted to help a little. It was pretty clear now that he didn’t.

We found theater eight, and not surprisingly, it was nearly empty. I let the door close, blocking out the harsh light of the hallway, and searched over the backs of heads. I found Isaac. He wasn’t really hard to spot. He wore his hair in a faux-hawk, not a huge one, but a short, brushed-up one. It was sort of cool. Very individualistic.

“They’re two rows up,” I whispered to Christian and glanced at the screen. It was opening with a murder. I sighed. So sad.

Christian nodded and took my arm, leading us to the back row. We got the corner seats, and I reached into my inside pocket. It struck me that this might just be my last SOS assignment. I swallowed hard, feeling a bit nostalgic. But then I thought of Aiden and how much more time I’d have for him. It calmed my nerves a little.

My camera was poised and ready, night scope on. I zoomed in. Isaac was whispering in the girl’s ear, looking sweet. It made my stomach turn. He’d been with his girlfriend, Angela, for close to a year. She was an absolute doll: perky and petite.

I used the camera to push in on the accomplice’s face. She was pretty enough—blond and busty. My eyes narrowed. She sort of reminded me of Chloe, but I tried to block that thought. The last thing I needed was to think of Chloe as an accomplice in a cheat. Because I knew exactly who she was after.

“Did you want me to move closer?” Christian whispered. He bent his head dangerously close to mine. His spearmint breath was hot on my cheek.

“Yeah,” I said, mainly to get some distance between me and his ridiculously attractive cologne. “Take the recorder and get some audio. I need to know what they’re talking about.”

I reached in my pocket and pulled out the mini-recorder, passing it to Christian. His fingers touched mine as he took it. I met his eyes.

Okay, so we were pretty close to each other’s mouths. His smelled like mint, mine, Jolly Ranchers. My breath was caught. He looked like he was about to kiss me. I didn’t move away.

He smiled. “Be right back. Get some good photos.” Then he winked and ducked down as he got up and crept down the aisle. I watched him, feeling my heart race.

Brooklyn Bridge! Would I have just let him kiss me? No. I … wasn’t attracted to him. I loved Aiden.

I shook my head and took aim at Isaac. He was a cheater. I’d never be like that. I wasn’t like that. Only, I found myself zooming in on Christian’s face… admiring it. Then, before I could begin any unwanted fantasy, I shut off the camera, got up, and walked out.

It took close to twenty minutes for Christian to meet me outside. He jogged up to the car as I leaned against it. I was chilled from the cooled air but thankful to now have my wits about me.

Christian stopped in front of me, panting. “What the hell, Tessa?” he said.

“Don’t say ”hell.’”

He stared at me for a minute, then, “Sorry. What in the h, e, double hockey sticks happened to you?” He grinned.

I couldn’t help but smile back. I liked the double hockey sticks thing. After an intense second of looking at each other, I exhaled and put my fists on my hips.