Page 84 of Jaked

Chapter 31

His voice was soft. "Luna."

"Shhhhh…" I said. "Just five more minutes. Okay?"

"Want me to carry you?" he asked.

"No," I mumbled. "Just hit the snooze button, alright?"

A soft chuckle sounded in my ear. "Snooze button. Got it."

Awareness hit me like a sack of potatoes, and I bolted up in my seat. Oh crap. I wasn't in bed. I was in the back of Jake's car. I glanced outside. We were idling outside Jake's building.

How long had I slept? Had I snored? Drooled? I reached a hand up to my chin. It was dry. Thank goodness. "So, I guess I fell asleep, huh?" As if I didn't know.

"Yeah, but I could still carry you."

I gave him a dubious look. "What? Over your shoulder?"

He grinned over at me. "If that's what you want."

"I'll walk. Thanks."

"My loss," he said, pushing open the car door. He held it open while I got out on legs that still felt way too wobbly, just like my thoughts. The elevator ride was short and silent. Either Jake was giving me time to wake up, or he had nothing to say. That was good, because my thoughts were far too jumbled to discuss anything of any importance.

Once inside his penthouse, I stood, feeling foolish, while he flicked on some lights. It wasn't even midnight, on a Saturday no less. The night was still young. I was dressed up. So was he. Was he sorry that I'd pulled him away from all the action?

"Are you sure you don't want to go back?" I asked.

Across the room, he turned to face me. "To the museum?" He raised an eyebrow. "Doyou?"

"Not particularly."

"Good."

"Are you positive?" I gave a weak little laugh. "I mean, you could hang out with Bianca."

His voice was hard. "Or Rango."

"Don't you mean 'Dingo'?" I muttered.

Jake leaned against the far wall and gave me a penetrating look. "What the hell did you see in that guy?"

"Rango?"

"Rango. Dongo. Whatever," Jake said. "He's a dick. Why would you go out with him?"

"You're one to talk," I said. "Tonight, you were way more dicky than he was."

"Is that so?"

"To Rango," I clarified. "Not to me." I shook my head. "I still can't believe he didn't take a swing at you."

"He would have," Jake said, "if someone hadn't dragged me off."

I did a mental eye-roll. Sure, like Jake could be dragged anywhere he didn't want to go. And yet, he did have a point. Hehadletmedrag him away. Why was that?

"So I interfered with your plans?" I said. "Is that what you're saying?"