When We Fall (Take the Fall, #2)(11)

“It suits you, though, and at the time of that particular conversation, you were mad at me.”

I inwardly wince at the memory. “I wasn’t mad at you. Well, not until you said you’d start calling me princess instead.”

His hand falls away and I want to snatch it back. I’m starved for human contact. Ridiculously so. But I don’t. I keep my hands at my sides even as they clench into fists.

“I thought you forgave me for that?” he asks, searching my face.

“I did. I have,” I insist. “Promise.”

“What about earlier today? Can you forgive me for that, too?”

Here’s my chance to ask about the consequences. Here’s my chance to get everything out in the open. If Jase wanted to be with that other woman, he would have, but he chose to come to me instead. That has to count for something.

My lips part in anticipation and his gaze drops to my mouth. Desire pulses through me, and for a moment I’m lost in the feeling.

Suddenly, Emmett comes lumbering over, his dark eyes full of mischief. “Piper, I have your schedule. Ready to go over it?”

I nod, my heart sinking at the missed opportunity. When will I learn to stop overthinking and just go for it? “That’s what I’m here for,” I say cheerfully.

Jase grunts a little. “Good to know.” He starts to walk away, but I grab his arm before I consider the ramifications or if Emmett will say something. Jase’s brows crash together, his gaze going from my hand to my face.

Say something! “Have dinner with me.”

“Tonight. You pick the place,” I add, just so there isn’t a misunderstanding.

His eyes widen slightly, as if he can’t believe what I’m saying. Funny enough, I can’t believe what I’m saying.

“Do I get to come, too?” Emmett asks.

“No,” Jase growls before shooting his friend a look.

With a grin, Emmett holds up his hands and backs away. “Good to know where I stand,” he calls out before disappearing into the back of the shop.

“You want to go to dinner with me?” he asks.

“Uh…” Say yes, Piper. “If you have time, or aren’t already busy, I thought it would be good for us to get to know each other since we’re living together, roomie.”

“I’ve known you since you were fourteen, kitten,” he points out.

My cheeks heat. “I know, but I’m—it’s been seven years and maybe I’ve changed.”

Jaw working, he shakes his head. “I sure as f*ck hope not.”

“Is that a no or a yes?” Please be yes.

“It’s a yes. I’ll drive.” He grabs my hand, the same one that’s still clutching at him. Fully expecting him to nicely push it away, I begin to draw back, but he does the unexpected. He laces his fingers in mine. Tremors of pleasure run through me, making my entire body shake.

Jase is touching me. Not only that, he’s fulfilling one of my wildest fantasies by holding my hand. Gosh, I’m so lame. I need new fantasies. Ones with naked bodies.

“You okay on a bike?” he asks.

“With you I am.” My skirt is long enough…I think.

His eyes narrow. “Who else you been riding with?” If I were any other woman, I’d think he was jealous, but I know that’s not the case.

“Only you. I’m not brave enough to let anyone else take me out.”

“You’re braver than you think, and even better than that, you’re sweet,” he says in a low voice.

“Do you…is that something you like in other, er…people? Or something?” I flounder for words, desperate to be sophisticated and for him to see me as more than just Piper, his sister’s best friend, or Piper, the girl afraid of her own shadow, or Piper, the wallflower.

“No comparison,” he says simply. “I’m ready to eat, if you are.”

“Uh, schedule?” Emmett reminds me.

“You can email her.”

“But she’s already here.”

“She needs to eat.” Jase doesn’t take his eyes off of me. “Ready?”

Wordlessly, I nod and follow him outside, my hand still clasped in his. When we get to his bike, he finally lets go of me and grabs his helmet. “This is a little big, but it will keep you safe until I can get another one in your size.”

My size? Does this mean he plans on letting me ride with him a lot?

He slips the helmet over my head and tightens the chin strap, his fingers brushing my neck. I shiver. “Baby, you have got to stop being so scared of me.”

“I’m not scared of you.” I’m scared of never getting the chance to be with you.

Seconds pass as he weighs my words.

Meeting his gaze head-on, I use the opportunity to take in my fill of this beautiful, sexy man. We are opposites in every way. I’m short. He’s tall. I’m dark and pale. He’s sun-kissed from his head to his toes. He’s cut and lean, and is inked with works of art, while I’m plump and curvy, and the only time my skin has ever had ink on it was when I accidentally on purpose used a marker to draw a flower on my arm. Mother had scrubbed and scrubbed at the flower while lecturing me on the friends I kept. She didn’t stop until it had bled and I had cried out in pain.