Almost. “Like what?”
But Mr. Perfect wasn’t in the mood to talk. He bent, tossed me over his shoulder, and strode the rest of the way to the car with me protesting. His arm clamped over the back of my thighs. I felt higher than I had after smoking the pot. Upside down, I got an eyeful of his taut sheriff buns.
He set me down and opened the car door. “Get in.”
I stood my ground.
“Regina, I’m not going to ask you again.”
A few raindrops spattered. “Fine,” I said. “But only because I need a ride.”
He did a sweep of the area before getting back in the car and slowly pulling down the dark, private road.
Despite everything that had happened, I felt giddy. I was in a car with Cole Townsend! I bounced on the seat, trying not to giggle like a moron.
“You want to tell me why you were trespassing on your former employer’s land?”
“No.”
“Regina.”
“Why do you call me that? Everyone else calls me Gina.”
“Regina is your full name. I prefer it.”
“I do too. It means ‘queen.’ Yours means ‘black rock that comes out of the ground.’” I pressed my face to the bars between him and me. The speedometer read fifteen miles per hour. We were on a private road and he was still following the speed limit. “Can we go faster? I wanna hear the siren.”
“No.”
“You’re no fun.”
“I don’t think you’re taking this as seriously as you should be.”
“Why didn’t you just say you wanted to get me alone?” I blew on the back of his neck and watched in fascination as his body went rigid. “You can handcuff me anytime you like. I bet all the girls say that to you.”
“Quiet.”
I wasn’t totally unattractive, but I was out of this guy’s league. I’d never dare act this way if I wasn’t so tipsy. “I’ll get you off, if you get me off,” I purred. “If you know what I mean?—”
The car lurched to a stop and Cole got out. I shut up, suddenly nervous. I squeaked in surprise when he threw my door open and dragged me outside.
The night seemed darker, colder as he loomed over me.
“Let me get this straight,” he said through gritted teeth. “You’re offering sexual favors so I’ll go easy on you?”
I gulped but I wasn’t in a position to deny it. Cole hadn’t charged me with a crime yet, but if I could get out of trouble by getting on my knees, I had to do it.
“Answer me.” His voice sounded harsher in the darkness.
“Yes.”
His grabbed my hips and drew me closer. Without another word, he undid the top button of my jeans.
My gut lurched. “Please,” I said, because I’d imagined this moment with Cole Townsend many, many times, but never like this. This felt wrong.
He stopped.
I thought of what would happen to my mom if I went to jail, and shook my head. “Never…never mind.”
