TO BE TRUSTED | twilight

vi. it's not me, it's you

"Need a lift?" Paul Lahote's smug voice sounded through the now open window.

"No." Lyla stubbornly answered after weighing her options.

"Lyla, it's torrential out there, let me give you a lift." The guy insisted.

She couldn't deny she liked the way her name sounded on his lips, but she quickly shook her head clear and continued walking, ignoring his truck crawling along beside her.

"Come on, you can't walk in this rain." Paul told her.

"You're right, I would love a lift. Just not from you." Lyla told Paul.

"Why don't you like me? You don't even know me." Paul pointed out.

"I know enough." She insisted, not sparing him a glance.

Until, that was, she heard his engine turn off and his car door slam. Before she knew it, he was standing in front of her and she was suddenly aware of how ridiculously tall he was.

"I'd have to disagree." He told her with a smirk.

"What are you doing? Get back in your car, you don't even have a coat." Lyla exclaimed, looking as he stood in the downpour in only shorts and a tank top.

"I'm not getting back into the car until you get in." He declared.

"No, stop being an idiot, I only live 5 minutes away, I can walk." She lied.

"No you don't, 'cause 5 minutes in that direction, is just more road." Paul called her out, gesturing in the direction she was headed.

"I'm not getting rid of you, am I?" Lyla asked, too tired and cold to keep standing in the rain arguing.

"I'll walk with you if I have to." He said by way of answer, a victorious smile ready to play on his lips.

"Fine." She finally caved, following him back to his car, albeit begrudgingly.

They hopped into the truck, Paul immediately starting the engine and whacking up the heating.

He chuckled slightly at the sound of her teeth chattering. "Cold?"

"No."

"You really are stubborn." He mumbled with a small smile.

"Whatever." She muttered, sending him an annoyed look.

"I can warm you up if you want." He offered, then grimaced when he realised how his words sounded. "I didn't mean-"

Lyla's laugh cut him off. "Yeah, yeah, I know your reputation with girls, Lahote. Don't play dumb."

"Yeah, well, those days are behind me." He murmured, his tone serious.

Lyla frowned, but didn't question it.

"What I meant was, I'm always really warm, so just slide over if you're cold." He chuckled at the look Lyla gave him. "I'm not making a move, I promise. Seriously, you're fingers are practically blue and your teeth are chattering so hard they could break."