We step into the garage where Carter stands looking as delicious as his brother in his jeans and, as I suspected, a dark grey v-neck.
Carter’s gaze follows me as I walk in with Knox behind me before he smirks.
“I’m equally glad that you’re wearing clothes, and disappointed, because fuck, Little Heathen, you looked fucking delicious in nothing but your lingerie.”
My cheeks heat from his words, and he chuckles.
“Ready? I assume we’re taking Knox’s car?”
I shrug. “Either is fine, but hisispurple.”
We walk outside and Knox opens the front passenger door.
“You can sit up front with me, and Carter can sit in the back.”
I swallow hard and nod, knowing why that will be the arrangement. I wonder if things will ever change with me and Carter. Probably not. It’s just something I have to accept. I need to respect his boundaries, as difficult as they are for me. This is one topic I won’t be a brat about—it’s not about me—it’s about Carter, and his safety and comfort.
I slide into the front seat, and Knox closes my door before walking around to the driver’s side, Carter climbing in behind him.
“We have different plans, Tesoro. I want to show you something.”
I glance at him and ask, “Will food be involved? I’m starving.”
He grins at me. “Don’t we always take care of our girl?”
He’s not wrong. They do take care of anything I need. It’s like a breath of fresh air. I’m not sure I deserve to be treated the way Knox and Carter treat me, but I’ll take it. It’s something I never experienced before, and I love every minute of it.
Knox turns the radio up and takes off down the road. I have no idea what plans they have for me, but with the beat bumping through the stereo and Knox’s strong hand in mine, I realize as long as I’m with my guys, the rest really doesn’t matter. I glance out the window to see the treeline whizz by as I let my mind drift off to the man we left behind, the one I can’t stop thinking about no matter how many times I remind myself he doesn’t want me. And I don’t want him either.Right?
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
KNOX
Idrive to the area Carter and I discussed bringing her. We live in Kansas, and nothing exciting happens here aside from Kill’s fights and the car meets. There is one good thing about the middle of nowhere, though.
Privacy.
We don’t want an audience with our girl, especially since she has been on the news after escaping from the asylum. More than that, we want her alone.
I pull up to an overlook, park the car, and can’t help the chuckle as she looks around like a curious child.
“What is this?”
“Come on, Tesoro,” I say, as I step outside the vehicle with Carter following suit. Carter grabs the food from the trunk as I walk around to Heather’s door, helping her out.
I take her hand in mine as she glances around our surroundings.
It’s a small town, so it’s not surrounded with lights like you’d find in a bigger city. There are trees everywhere, and the moon hangs high in the sky brightly. It’s strange how sometimes it looks small, but on a night like tonight it looks larger than life.
There’s a gravel path that follows around the man-made lake and a large grassy area spanning several acres. Carter walks over to the grass, puts a blanket down, and places the food and wine on top of the purple blanket. I nearly laughed at his choice of color, but I know it was for her. It’s becoming crystal clear that there is nothing he won’t do for her.
I pull her to the blanket, and she sits down. Reaching out to take her wine glass from Carter, he says, “I’ve got it.”
He holds the glass with two shaky hands as he extends it to her.
“Tesoro, only touch the glass, please.”
She’s very careful to do as I say, but has a look of confusion on her face. I imagine she’s wondering why he’s suddenly pushing himself to do things he is not comfortable with. Honestly, I have the same question.
