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He stretches in the passenger seat, looking entirely too comfortable for someone who just tricked me into driving a carthat costs more than my entire college education. “Mm-hmm. Through the next gate.”

I eye him suspiciously as we roll up to another security checkpoint. The guard waves us through, recognizing the car. Eli.

“You know,” I start, glancing at the GPS on the dashboard, “there’s a shorter way to get here. You took the scenic route.”

Eli’s lips twitch, but he keeps his gaze forward. “Did I?”

I nod, warming up to my mini rant. “Yeah. If you’d turned left back at—”

His smirk deepens, and I stop mid-sentence, narrowing my eyes at him. “Wait a minute. Did you—”

“Did I what?” His voice is smooth and innocent, but the amusement is all over his face.

“You made me drive around on purpose!”

“Maybe,” he admits, dragging out the word like he’s savoring it.

I gape at him, part annoyed, part impressed. “Why?”

“You looked like you were having fun.”

I want to argue, to call him out, but instead, I laugh, shaking my head. “Okay. Maybe I did.”

He flashes me a grin that could melt steel. “Told you.”

We pull into the underground parking garage, and I slide the car into an empty spot with a sigh of relief. No scratches. No crashes. Success.

“All right,” I say, pushing the door open. “I’m calling my Uber now.”

Eli climbs out of the car, stretching again. His movements are so casual it’s almost irritating. “Not so fast. I’ll need help with my door.”

I freeze mid-step. “What, is it stuck or something?”

“No, but I figured you’d be helpful. Or are you in a hurry to leave?” He raises an eyebrow, the challenge clear.

“I thought you had a hot date with the real estate lady.” I cross my arms.

“She’s not coming until seven,” he replies.

“I know your hand is just fine, Eli,” I mutter, following him toward the elevator.

He doesn’t reply.

Inside, the air feels cooler, quieter, until the doors open again, and a couple with a massive dog step in. The thing is practically a small horse, and I instinctively step back, bumping right into Eli.

“Sorry,” I mumble, glancing up at him. Big mistake. His gray eyes lock on mine, and for a second, the elevator doesn’t exist. Just him and that damn look.

He leans down, his voice low and rough in my ear. “Don’t worry, princess. I’ve got you.”

I should move. Ishouldstep forward, but instead, I stay rooted to the spot, his arm settling around my waist like it belongs there. The warmth of his hand, the subtle pressure, the scent of him, clean and woodsy, mess with my brain in ways I don’t want to admit.

The elevator stops, and the couple leaves, taking the dog with them. But I don’t move. Not even when the doors slide shut again.

“You good?” His voice snaps me out of whatever the hell that was.

“Yeah,” I lie, stepping forward like I haven’t just been plastered to him.

We finally reach the top floor, and he pulls out a key card, handing it to me. “Here. You can do the honors.”