The truth was in everything she didn’t say.
So I’d have to keep trying to win her over.
“Want to go for a walk with me?” I asked as we cleaned up our trash and stuffed the garbage into the supposedly bear-proof trash bin.
She brushed her hands off, frowning. “I’ve sweated enough around you already.”
“Ah, honey, not nearly enough.” Damn, I couldn’t help but push it.
Her cheeks turned into an instant flame, and she pushed her glasses up. “I should get home.”
I’d give her this reprieve, but I wasn’t done trying.
The space she so desperately wanted lasted only until we crowded into my pickup and I was surrounded by her frosted-cookie scent. I propped an elbow on the middle console, wishing I had my truck from high school with its solid bench seat. Then I could have slid her right next to me. “Scarlett, do you trust me?”
“About what?”
Of course she wouldn’t say yes. Not Miss Scarlett. “I want you to believe me.”
“Tate.” Regret hung in her voice. I didn’t like it.
I cupped her chin between my thumb and forefinger. Her eyes widened, and I slowly leaned in. “I want you to believe me, and I’d like to show you.”
Gently, I touched my lips to hers. When she didn’t pull back or haul off and punch me, I added pressure.
Still, she didn’t squirm away. I flattened my hand along her jaw and cupped it around the back of her neck. I twisted my torso, careful to keep from separating us, and embraced her as best I could with a console in the way.
A tiny whimper sounded in her throat.
I gave her an answering growl and stroked my tongue into her mouth. She tasted exquisite. I’d expected sweet, but we’d just finished a savory meal, and I could gobble her up.
My erection raged, and I was helpless to hold it back while I was touching her. Only my position kept it tucked safely but torturously in my jeans.
Tentatively, her tongue met mine.
Yes.
Stroke for stroke, she met me, growing bolder, needier.
Fuck yes.
I was ready to climb over the hard plastic between us when tires spun out on gravel outside the pickup.
She pulled back with a gasp. A carload of teens skidded to a stop next to us. A young girl with large sunglasses and wild blond hair hung out the passenger window. “Way to go, Miss Scarlett!”
She’d yelled so loud we didn’t need the window open, but Scarlett lowered it anyway. “Good evening, Brandy,” she said calmly.
The guy behind the wheel grinned in a way that made me want to peel his lips off his face. “How much did that kiss cost?”
Scarlett stiffened. “That’s rude, Jacob.”
He laughed obnoxiously. “Yeah, but you can’t send me to the principal’s office this time.”
That little shit. “Listen, kid.” I gave him my bestcross to the other side of the streetglare. “If you’re not eighteen yet, I can have this little chat with your dad, and if that prick ain’t in the picture, I’ll be glad to tell Officer Tom you’re harassing my date.”
He paled, but his smug grin stayed in place. “My mom said she got with you when you were free.”
Son of a bitch. I’d dated this kid’s mom? From what Jacob said, I’d done more with her.
