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I marched to the door, but his footsteps pounded behind me. When I reached out to grab the door handle, hands wrapped around my waist and spun me toward him. Before I could catch my balance, he squatted and threw me over his shoulder. My front side hung down his back while his arms wrapped securely around my bottom. In what had to be one fluid movement, he had the door open and was carrying me outside. “Put me down,” I yelped and smacked his butt. Just like his chest, I ended up hitting pure muscle. “Not happening,” he said and continued down the steps toward his Escalade. “You’re not walking home.” His words were like ice water to the face. I didn’t want him to see where I lived and what I was walking into. “I’ll call an Uber.” I’d spend ten dollars just to get him to head back into the house. When we reached his vehicle, he opened the passenger door and tossed me inside. He slammed the door and jogged to the driver’s side. I clenched my hands, letting my fingernails dig into my palms. I wanted to get out and walk back, but all he would do was follow me. At the end of the day, it would take longer and still result in him learning where I lived. Sliding into the car, he grinned. “No getting out and trying to run away.” At this point, I was beginning to believe he was a mind reader. “I thought about it but figured you’d just follow me home like a crazed stalker.” “Stalker?” He scrunched his face. “Don’t flatter yourself.” “You were the one waiting in a black vehicle for me to leave work.” I fastened my seat belt while tilting my head. “So…I’m going with stalker.” He laughed, and my body nearly stopped functioning. I’d never heard a sound like that from him. It was genuine and carefree…deep and sexy. In other words, dangerous because I already found him way too tempting. “Eh, I guess I deserve that.” He backed out of the driveway and turned in the direction of the university. I shook my head, trying to remove the stupor and start my brain functioning again. “How do you know where I live?” “Let’s call it a good guess.” He blinked and rubbed his eyes. “You were walking in this direction when you left the bar.” Oh. Right. That was what got me into this mess, to begin with. As we got closer to HSU, I noticed his knuckles blanching on the steering wheel. He was either stressed or upset about something. With each street we turned down, his demeanor darkened. It had changed from relaxed to concerned to annoyed, and now his jaw was clenched and his body rigid. In other words, his whole jerkish persona was on display. Lovely. I heard loud music thumping, and when the house came into view, I sighed and dropped my head. “She said it was a small gathering.” His head jerked in my direction. “Yours is the house with cars lined up and down the driveway and road with shit music playing?” There were at least twenty cars parked out front, and our house was small. I sighed. “Yup. My roommates like to, uh…drink?” I hadn’t meant for it to come out like a question, yet here we were. A lot of things happened tonight that shouldn’t have… so let’s just keep piling it on! That was my motto lately, one I didn’t approve of. Several people stood in the front yard, including Grayson and another guy I’d seen in the weight room, who had to be on the football team. Three more guys were talking to them, and girls stood on either side of the guys and another in front of Grayson, giggling. “Forget this,” Carter rumbled. He eased his vehicle into the small opening between the driveway and Grayson’s Jeep, which was parked on the street, and drove across the yard straight at the people standing in front of the porch. My heart thudded as we hit a spot in the grass that jerked the wheels, and when he stopped the car a few feet shy of the others, who’d yelped and backed up, I let out a shaky breath. I didn’t know what that was about, but I knew he was full-on asshole Carter once more. All eyes were locked on us, the conversation dead in the water. Grayson’s gaze flicked between Carter and me, and his forehead creased. “Uh…thanks for the ride.” I reached for the car door just as Carter turned off the vehicle like he wasn’t leaving. I froze and swallowed, and those damn tingles sprouted and shot down my spine. “Is that all I get?” he asked curtly. My head spun like all the oxygen had suddenly left the air. I had no clue what he was asking, and I was quite certain that if I didn’t answer appropriately, he’d get even more angry. I leaned forward, pulled some cash out of my back pocket, and started counting one-dollar bills. “Will twenty do?” An Uber would’ve been cheaper, but he had a huge car. This should cover the gas. “Are you messing with me right now?” he snarled. I glanced at him and froze. His cheeks were flushed, and his nostrils flared. I leaned my head back. “Carter, I’m tired. I don’t even know how to answer that question. Gas money is the only thing I can think of that you might expect.” He practically growled at me. “Let’s get you to your room.” He opened his car door and climbed out. My heart galloped, and trepidation pooled in my stomach, the usual combination when it came to him. I sat in the car, trying to get my bearings. Grayson watched Carter’s entire performance, and I dreaded being alone with him in the future. No doubt, he’d ask me hundreds of questions. When Carter continued to my door, I didn’t know what he was doing…until he reached for the door handle. Whoa. Cold, Dark, and Broody was opening my door for me. It made this look like a date. My stomach fluttered, and I flinched. It was sad that I needed to remind myself that this most definitely was not a date. Besides, I didn’t want a boyfriend…right? Right. Most definitely right. He opened the door and took my hand, tugging me out of the seat. My body hummed, and heat spread through my belly. Read Hidden Games by one-clicking here -> https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Games-Enemies-Lovers-Stand-Alone-ebook/dp/B0CVCGQV2Z?maas=maas_adg_CE64D257EE4BE5C078DFB55C1E8F6116_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas