Page 31 of Ruthless Raiders

I laugh, the sound coming out softer than I expect—almost breathless. “No promises on the undressing. You shouldn’t wear things that make me question my entire sexuality in broad daylight.”

Her fingers tighten on the back of my neck, pulling me closer until our noses nearly touch. “And you shouldn’t look at me like you already own me.”

“Maybe I do,” I whisper, and fuck, the way she shivers just slightly in my grip almost sends me over the edge.

She smirks, one hand sliding down my shoulder before pulling away from me, and I shiver like a cold front just blew up my spine. “I have something for you.”

“Something for me?” I smirk. “You’re sweet as pie.”

“Mmmhmm.” She hums, sliding my wallet between us.

I let go of her and grab it. “Shit, where did you find it?”

“Before I tell you. Promise to get drinks with me next Saturday atThe Bean.”

“Done deal,” I smirk, sliding the wallet into my back pocket.

She rises off the bench, leans in close—close enough that I catch another hit of that cinnamon-warm, trouble-soaked perfume—and murmurs against my ear:

“I stole it.”

My skin runs cold, and I take a step back like she just doused me in ice water. “Stoleit?”

Brooke straightens, not backing down. Not even a blink of guilt in those honey eyes. “Yeah,” she says simply, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “But not likethat.I didn’t take anything inside. Cards, cash, ID—everything’s still there. Swear on my mama’s horse.”

I blink, heart still doing an uncoordinated tap dance. “So you just… stole mywallet.Like a little souvenir?”

She sighs and sits back down on the bench, arms draped across the backrest. “Okay. Confession time, since you’re clearly two seconds away from tackling me.”

I raise a brow but don’t interrupt.

“I used to be a klepto,” she says.

“Used to be?” I snort.

“Still am…I’m in therapy, but look—I liked you, and I wanted something of yours. So, I took it while we were making out. Not a big deal.”

I snatch up my bag, anger rising fast and sharp in my chest. “Not a big deal?I just spent all morning canceling every card I own, ordering a new ID, and spiraling like a lunatic because I thought someonerobbedme—and it wasyou? You stole my wallet while we weremaking out?”

Brooke’s smile flickers. Just for a second. “Okay—yeah, I see how that sounds.”

I gape at her. “Sounds?Itisinsane!”

She crosses her arms, jaw tightening as that confident, Southern charm comes out a little raw with irritation. “I didn’ttakeanything out of it, Jasmine.”

“That’s not the point!”

“Then whatisthe point?” she fires back, stepping toward me. “That I liked you so much I did something stupid?”

“Doing something stupid is biting my lip a little too hard!” I snap, throwing my hands in the air. “This—this—” My voice breaks, and I falter, heat crawling up my neck. “I don’t even have words to definethis.”

“You don’t have to make me a monster.”

I stare at her. Hard. “Youstolefrom me.”

“I didn’t do it to hurt you. I didn’t pawn your stuff or hack your cards. I just—” She stops. Drags a hand through her hair. “I don’t know, okay? I liked you. I panicked. I wanted a reason to see you again and I didn’t know how to ask for your number like a normal person.”

“I don’t know about dating someone who steals from me.” I say flatly, looking everywhere, but at her. My eyes land on a man leaning against the far gates, eyes locked on me.