The Checklist (Explicit Version)

Chapter 5

   "Warmer than whatever the hell you're wearing." His dark eyes were still peering over my body, and for some reason, it made my heart flip with anxiety. Do I not look good?

   "You look fucking good, Althea. Get the thought out of your head," he gritted out almost angrily. It took me a moment to realize that I spoke out loud. "You're going to get cold."

   "Well, that won't be our only problem, then." When he finally lifted his eyes to mine, clearly confused, I nodded to his motorcycle. "I'm gonna get you solve a fun math equation."

   His expression turned sour. It took a lot of strength not to laugh. "Motorcycle plus wearing a dress equals...." When he didn't answer, I clapped my hands and exclaimed, "Everyone seeing the goodies!"

   Clearly unhappy with that realization, he glared. "You can meet me there, Myles. It's okay," I offered with a small smile. "I have no problems walking. Honest."

   He continued glaring. I was starting to understand that this was his thinking face.

   I cocked my head and smiled at him with amusement until suddenly, he kicked himself off the curb and toward his motorcycle. I figured he was accepting my Get Out of Jail Free card because he hopped over his ride and jerked it with a start, but he only surprised me instead.

   Jaw slack, I watched as he manoeuvred his motorcycle onto my driveway before turning it off with a huff.

   "Myles, you don't have to—"

   "Shut it, princess."

   He strode toward me with a dark expression which would normally get me running in the opposite direction. Instead, I stayed locked in my spot while he shrugged his jacket off and threw it over my shoulders impatiently.

   "Let's go." He was already striding across the street while I gaped at his departing back.

   Cursing under my breath, I broke out into a short jog before catching up to him. "Myles, take your jacket. You're going to get cold."

   He snorted, and I felt like I wasn't in on a joke. "Cold doesn't affect me, princess. Keep the jacket."

   Knowing that I wasn't going to win this argument with him, I begrudgingly slipped my arms into the sleeves. He didn't look at me once, so I mumbled a soft, "Thank you."

   "Don't mention it. Literally."

   "What? You trying to keep a bad guy persona, batman?"

   "Told you you're my New Year's resolution. Nobody else."

   "Again with the resolution." I smiled and fastened my pace when his strides became longer. He must have noticed because after a moment, he slowed down. "So tell me. What spurred on this wish to be nice? Were you on the naughty list last Christmas?"

   My tease wasn't met with a smile. If anything, more lines creased his forehead as he glowered.

   "So why doesn't the cold effect you?" I asked instead, but he still didn't answer. He was avidly avoiding eye contact, and I realized he was building walls. Then I remembered I was asking too many questions. After scolding myself, I put a skip in my step and smiled. "The cold doesn't bother me much either. I actually like it. Most of the times, at least. My ears get really cold, and yeah my hair can keep it warm but that doesn't usually help because the wind pushes it away."

   I breathed in through my teeth and fixed my hair over my ears. "Like right now." I didn't bother giving him the chance to talk, I was full on rambling now and no one could stop me. "Anyway, I think I'm more warm-blooded cause my parents are from Greece. Well, my mom is. She was actually born there. My dad is Greek too, but he was born in the States. Did I ever mention how they met?"