I smile big, aware of how creepy it probably looks illuminated by the headlights. “I think I should even the playing field first.” I bend down and scoop up a handful of mud. “I want you all dirty too.”
I let it fly, and it hits him across the chest. I expect him to run or try to stop me, but of course, he doesn’t. He smiles, holding his hands out, and lets me sling another handful at him. And another, this time splashing across his neck and cheek.
“Let me have it, Barbie. Get me nice and filthy just like you want me.”
I freeze, the mud in my hand slipping through my fingers as his words reach me. He takes advantage of my shocked state and rushes forward, scooping me into his arms and pinning me against the hood of his truck.
Up close, I can see the mud caked under his eye, across his forehead, and in his hair. I’m half tempted to lick it clean. How is it possible he is even hotter when he’s dirty?
He scans my face, using his thumb to rub my cheek. I’m pretty sure he’s only smearing more mud, but I don’t care as long as he keeps touching me.
“Are we even now?” he asks, letting a hand drift down my neck before wrapping his fingers around the back, his thumbpressing on my pulse. His other hand is splayed across my thigh, his pinky so close to the spot between my legs that’s starting to throb.
“I suppose.”
He drops his forehead against mine. Our mouths are only inches apart. I can feel his breath on my lips. Every one of my nerves is on edge, waiting impatiently for him to lean in and kiss me. Instead, he eases me to my feet.
“Get in the truck. Catching pneumonia was not part of the plan.”
“The point of spontaneity is not to have a plan.”
“You’re shivering. Get in the truck.”
I was shivering in anticipation because I thought he would take me right there on the hood. Iwantedhim to.
I push off the truck. “You’ll have to catch me first.”
I have no idea where I’m running to. It’s dark, cold, and we’re in the middle of the woods, but I want to show him I can be fun and playful too. My boots really are just for walking, and I’m not that fast. I don’t even make it two steps before his long legs eat the distance I’m trying to create.
He grabs me, but we hit a slick patch, and our feet slide from under us. I yelp and Penn wraps one arm around my head and the other around my back, turning us so I land on him instead of the hard ground.
“Shit. Are you okay?” he says, his voice strained.
I roll off him. “Me? I’m fine.” He broke my fall while protecting my head, and he’s worried about me. “Areyouokay?”
He grunts. “Yep. Just wet and dirty like you wanted me.”
I laugh and help him to his feet. We’re both thoroughly drenched and muddy as we climb into the truck. He turns the heat on full blast and rolls my window up.
“I’ll take you home so you can get cleaned up. I really didn’tmean for you to get so dirty.” He puts the truck in reverse and starts backing up.
“I’m having fun. We don’t have to go yet, do we?”
He pauses. “Wanna keep going?”
I nod. “Let’s maybe keep the window up, though.”
He laughs, putting the gear shift in drive, and punches the gas. We spin and slide, slinging mud so high I hear it pelt the roof. I hold on, squealing and smiling the entire ride.
My insecurities are long forgotten.
34
PENN
“It’sa good thing your seats are leather,” Olivia says as we climb out of my truck. We’re both caked in dried mud, which is all over my seats and dash, but it’s fine.
When she told me she wanted to do something spontaneous, I could tell she was feeling anxious about something. I’m just not sure what. She’s fucking perfect. There’s nothing I would change about her.
