“All the time.” I could hear the grin in his voice without looking. “It’s part of my charm.”
I rolled my eyes. “Is that what you call it?”
We passed a billboard advertising some tacky roadside diner, and Diego pointed at it. “We should stop there on the way back.”
“We’re Christmas shopping for Beau, not getting lunch.”
“Multi-tasking is a thing, Freckles. And we gotta eat.”
“I told you not to call me that,” I repeated for the hundredth time. The nickname was starting to feel less like an irritation and more like... something else. Something dangerous. And that simply was not allowed.
Diego drummed his fingers on his thigh. “So, what’s on the shopping list, anyway? Lucas wasn’t exactly specific.”
I sighed, relenting to at least minimal conversation. “He wants to get Beau some custom boots and a new winter jacket. Somethingfashionable but practical, whatever that means.”
“And he doesn’t trust my fashion sense?” Diego put a hand to his chest in mock offense. “I’m wounded.”
“Have you seen your belt buckle?” I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. “It’s the size of a dinner plate.”
“It’s a statement piece!”
“The only thing it’s stating is that you have questionable taste. You aren’t a rodeo star, Diego.”
Diego laughed, deep and genuine. “And here I thought you were admiring my buckle yesterday.”
My cheeks heated. “I wasn’t looking at your buckle.”
The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to snatch them back. Diego’s eyebrows shot up, and his grin widened to dangerous proportions.
“Oh? What were you lookin’ at then?”
“The... scenery,” I mumbled lamely.
“Uh-huh.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping. “The scenery just happened to be in the vicinity of my belt?”
“Shut up,” I groaned, but I was fighting a smile now. “This is going to be the longest shopping trip of my life.”
“Or the most fun,” Diego countered. “Depends on your attitude.”
I glanced over at him, taking in his easy smile and the way the sunlight played across his features. Maybe, just maybe… this wouldn’t be so terrible after all.
“The only way it’s gonna be fun is if you shut up and do what I say.”
Diego paused, glancing over at me. Why was he smiling like that?
“You like bossin’ people around?” he asked in a sultry tone. “That your kink?”
“I’m not interesting enough for kinks,” I replied, a sudden bitterness and venom rushing into my tone.
Diego pulled back, his brows furrowed in surprise and concern.
“Sorry,” I said before I could help myself. “I didn’t mean to… that was just a joke my ex used to tell his friends. It just… slipped out.”
Diego’s expression softened, and I saw his hand twitch like he wanted to reach for me before he caught himself.
“Your ex sounds like a real piece of shit,” he said quietly, all traces of teasing gone from his voice.
I kept my eyes on the road, my jaw clenched. I couldn’t believe I’d just said that. Way to kill the mood, Hayden.
