“It’s always been you for me too,” I breathe out before slapping my hand over my mouth again because ew…morning breath.
“Good. Now move your damn hand out of the way so I can kiss you.”
“I haven’t brushed my teeth.” The words are slightly muffled since I refuse to drop my hand.
Shaking his head, he answers, “And I don’t give a shit.” Then he engulfs my wrist with his long fingers and twists my arm behind me before bending me back and kissing me until my toes curl.
And I kind of love this part too.
34
Reese
“You know what they say about guys with lifted trucks, right?” I ask as I clamor into River’s giant white baby in immaculate condition. We’ve been sneaking around for weeks, but this is the first time I’ve been able to be with him in the light of the day, and I couldn’t be more excited.
After rounding the front of the truck, he gets behind the wheel, then slides his sunglasses on and reaches for my hand. “What’s that?”
Batting my lashes at him, I try to keep from swooning at our laced fingers as I quip, “That they’re compensating for something.”
He laughs. “Well, you’ve seen my junk, Reese. Tell me, am I compensating for something?”
Tapping my trimmed fingernail on my opposite hand against my chin, I make him sweat for a second.
“Floozy?” He drags out the nickname with a stern expression that promises a solid spanking if I don’t give in and admit the truth.
And no matter how tempting it is to push him a little harder, I put him out of his misery. “Nooo… But that’s just what they say.”
“Who’s they, anyway?”
I shrug. “I dunno. The population? The experts? The guys with tiny penises?”
“Or maybe it’s the girls who can’t get with the guys who own lifted trucks. Ever think of that one, Floozy?”
“Floozy.” I purse my lips and quirk my brow. “Never gonna let me live that one down now, are ya?”
“Don’t count on it, sweetheart.” He lets go of my hand to put the truck in reverse and backs out of the driveway before squeezing my knee. “I do think you’re adorable when you pout, though. However, today is not the day for pouting.”
“And why not?”
“‘Cause, you’re with me. The guy with the sexy, lifted truck who’s not compensating for something.”
“Mm-hmm. So, tell me. Where does one go when they’re asked on a secret date where no one can recognize them in case said witnesses have any connection to a certain older brother who’s yet to know about said relationship?”
“So many questions,” he tsks.
“And so few answers.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got it all covered.”
“Can I have a hint?”
“I’ve already given you a hint.”
“When?”
“The other day.”
“You’re gonna have to be more specific,” I prod. “It’s been weeks since you asked me out at SeaBird, remember?”
“I’m talking about when I told you to wear comfortable shoes and asked if you were allergic to bug spray.”
My eyes transform into tiny slits as the sun threatens to slip beneath the horizon. “But when I asked if I needed a jacket, you said no.”
“And?”
“And that makes me question whether we’ll really be outside or if you were just messing with me about the whole bug spray thing.”
With a grin, he points out, “You’re cute when you’re annoyed too.”
“I hate surprises, ya know,” I huff.
“That’s because they’ve always let you down. Don’t worry, babe. The Sex God/Master of Orgasms is going to blow your socks off on one condition.”
“Nice caveat,” I quip. “What’s your condition?”
“That you don’t compare Date Number Two with Date Number One ‘cause I’m not sure if I can top this.”
His insecurities are adorable and kinda make me want to jump his bones, but I resist since, ya know, car accidents and stuff.
Poking the bear a little more, I challenge, “You’re positive you’ll be able to squeeze a second date out of me?”
He grins and squeezes my knee. “If I’m lucky enough. And if your brother doesn’t kill me first.”
“Har, har. We’ve been sneaky so far, haven’t we?”
“Your brother’s not stupid, Reese,” he reminds me.
“I didn’t say he was stupid. I was complimenting our sneakiness––”
“Our luck,” he corrects me. “The fact he hasn’t caught me sneaking out of your room yet––”
“The fact he hasn’t heard me yet,” I clarify.
“Oh. He’s heard you. He just assumes I’m still a manwhore who likes to bring home random women. But if you aren’t ready to tell him––”
“I’m not.”
“Then we wait until you are.”
Sucking my lips between my teeth, I study the man beside me who’s risking so much more than anyone should have to just to be with me. We’ve been dating for weeks now behind everyone’s backs. And it’s been…rough. Having to hide an innocent touch in our own home. Having to steal a tender moment while no one’s looking. Having to lie, making up excuses about where we’re going or who we’ll be with. The whole thing is so damn frustrating that I’m ready to pull my hair out. But I’m too much of a coward to put us out of our misery, which leads us to three reschedules for a first date and an oblivious brother who thinks I’m having a girls’ night with a coworker and River is meeting with Gina for an update on a new photoshoot.
And it’s all bullshit. If it weren’t for the man beside me, I’d question my sanity and end the entire ruse right now. But it’s River. My River. And I’ll claim him for as long as he’ll have me.
“Thank you,” I breathe out before shoving aside way too much emotion for a first date. “So, about this date…”
With a smirk, he barks, “Stop asking questions. I don’t want you to ruin the surprise. You like road trips, right?”
“Road trips?”
“It’s about an hour’s drive.”
Scrunching up my face, I demand, “Where are you taking me?”
“You’re cute when you’re bossy too. And that’s saying something.” His grasp disappears from my leg before he digs his cell out of his front pocket, types in the passcode, then hands it to me. “Pick some music, Reese. I’ve got the rest covered.”
The bastard’s confidence is sexy as hell as he adjusts his sunglasses and grips the steering wheel. His forearm muscles are on full display, leading up to his bicep and muscular shoulder, and even though I’m blatantly checking him out, he’s too focused on the road to notice.
Or maybe he’s too used to it to care.
Before I can second guess myself, I lean across the center console and kiss his stubbled cheek. Because I can. Because I’m his girlfriend. And because, even though he seems so unattainable, he’s agreed to be mine. And I’m going to take full advantage for as long as he’ll let me.