Jake: The Sinner Saints #3 Read Online Free PDF Page B

a lot smaller than it did a few minutes ago. “And that means from here on out we’re going to be doing things my way.”
    Verity inched back, but Jake kept his hold on her. His grip was firm but not vicious. She knew she could wrench away if she wanted to…but she didn’t.
    “And what exactly is your way ?”
    His gaze intensified, and Verity felt her heartbeat kick up against her breastbone.
    “That’s a question you probably should have asked before breaking into my motel room to beg for my help,” he said.
    Verity lifted her chin. Now he was just trying to intimidate her. And, yeah, sure it was working…but she wasn’t about to let him know that.
    “Well, I’m asking now.”
    “It’s easy.” He slipped closer, closing the gap between them. Verity couldn’t even take a deep breath without her chest brushing against his. Still, she forced herself to stand her ground.
    “What I say goes. I make the plans. You do exactly as I say, no matter what.”
    Her brows pulled together. “That seems a little tyrannical.”
    The corners of his lips lifted, but the smile didn’t make it to his eyes. “There’s still time to catch that flight home if you don’t like my terms.”
    Verity swallowed past the lump in her throat.
    She couldn’t do that. It looked like she’d just have to put up with this caveman , at least for a little while.
    “Okay, fine.” She twisted her wrist and her hand fell away from his easily. “Deal.”
    Jake kept his gaze on her for a moment longer before giving her a curt nod. “Deal.”
    Verity shifted back and forth on her feet when he didn’t back up. Her mouth suddenly felt dry, and she swiped the tip of her tongue against her lower lip to wet it.
    “Um,” she said after another few awkward seconds had passed. “I know we’re doing things your way now, but are we going to get going soon like we talked about, or do you plan on keeping me pinned up against this wall in a show of dominance all morning?”
    Verity instantly regretted the bold words when he inched even closer and the space between them disappeared. She swallowed hard as he pulled his hands out of his pockets. His fingers entwined with hers as he pushed the backs of her hands flat against the wall behind her, pinning her in earnest.
    Her heart hammered with an emotion that had nothing to do with fear. Her lips parted. His mouth was so close, the dark look in his eyes so intense. Surely, he wasn’t going to…
    Just then Verity felt something hard and cold press into her left palm.
    Jake stepped away suddenly, turning his back to her.
    Verity blinked several times before glancing down at her open hand and the small silver keyring now in the middle of her palm.
    “W-what’s this?” she asked.
    “Keys to my truck.” His back was stiff, the line of his shoulders hard. “I figured I’d give them to you this time before you had a chance to steal them.”
    Verity closed her eyes as embarrassment crashed over her. She’d been a fool to believe for even a second that he was going to kiss her. He’d made it clear that he did nothing but despise her.
    “Jake, I—”
    “Grab your bags,” he cut her off. “You can wait for me out in the cab while I get ready.”
    She didn’t say another word. She’d be an even bigger idiot to try and argue with a voice that hard.
    She curled her fingers around Jake’s keys and turned toward the door before she could do anything to screw up this situation any more than she already had.

Chapter Three
     
     
    She really was in the middle of nowhere.
    The realization crashed down around Verity as she gazed out the dusty window of the roadside diner that Jake had brought her to. The darkness last night had hid the enormity of the rural southern California landscape from her, but now, in full sunlight, there was no hiding from it.
    The long summer had obviously taken its toll on the valley. What little life that clung to the ground was dry and brown. The top layer of soil kicked up