Tristan put the car in park and turned off the ignition. “Get out of the car, and I’ll show you.”
I looked around the empty parking lot. We were at a pier I didn’t recognize. “The parking lot’s really dark.”
“Anonymous,” Tristan whispered. “You thought that meant crowds?”
“Well, no.” But really I hadn’t thought parking lot either.
He opened his door. “You can either follow me or stay in the car, but I imagine your curiosity will get the best of you. Another weakness.”
“That isn’t attractive.” I scowled. “Pointing out all my weaknesses.”
“It’s only fair that I point yours out, since mine are so obvious.” Tristan eyed me up and down.
“Name one.”
His whisper was so low I almost didn’t hear it. “I’m looking at her.”
The door slammed behind him.
Without another thought, I rushed out of the car and fell into step beside him. I gripped his hand so tightly it almost hurt.
“Knew you’d see it my way.”
“You’re really controlling.”
“And a compliment.” The moonlight washed over his features, making him look like an angel. “Careful with your pretty words. Don’t want to harm my ego.”
I rolled my eyes. “Your ego is just fine, I’m sure.”
“Always.” He smirked. “Now, up you go.”
“Up? Up where—?”
“There.” He pointed to a dock, where just beyond was a small houseboat.
“It’s like Sleepless in Seattle.”
“Rules…” Tristan stopped me on the middle of the pier, his hand brushing my lower back. “…for our night of anonymity.”
I looked up into his eyes and tried desperately not to get lost in their gray depths, but how was I supposed to keep myself from leaning forward when his body was so warm? His expression both dangerous and inviting. “I’m listening.”
“No phones.” He slid his hand around my backside, carefully lifting my phone from my back pocket, his fingers brushing bare skin across my back in the process.
Goose bumps broke out on my flesh, and I fought the urge to let out a little moan. “Fine.” My confidence was wavering already.
“No pictures.”
“Kinda hard without my phone.”
“True.” He squinted at me and crossed his arms. “No promises.”
I about choked on my tongue at that one. No promises. Neither of us could make a promise. For some reason it reminded me of the games Taylor used to play with me, the twisted ones that ended up hurting other people and me in the process. I’d always been powerless against them, it was a reminder of my old life, a rem
inder I didn’t need in an abandoned parking lot. I shivered. “Fine, no promises.”
“And finally…” Tristan leaned forward his body towering over mine. “…to keep things interesting… absolutely no touching.”
With that, he walked past me and into the house, leaving my body hot, my heart hammering against my ribs, and my mind whirling as to what the heck he had planned other than a mean game of checkers.