I don’t bother. I’m willing to leave it behind. It’s a small price to pay to not be on the receiving end of a stern lecture or a ticket.
I jump to my feet and sprint toward his car. Unfortunately, I’m forced to run past Ranger Rick. There’s no way around him. I avert my gaze and pray that Carter is hot on my heels. I need to get out of here before I spontaneously combust from embarrassment.
“You have a lot of nerve, little missy!” he yells.
I wince.
Just as I reach the vehicle, Carter clicks open the locks. I grab the handle and dive headfirst onto the front seat. Looking perfectly at ease, Carter slides into the driver’s side. I glance at him and he grins, twirling my bra on his finger.
“Figured you wouldn’t want to leave behind any evidence,” he teases.
My face heats as I yank the undergarment from his fingers and collapse on my seat. “Just drive.”
He chuckles and starts the engine.
31
CARTER
As I pull out of the state park, my phone dings with an incoming message. I don’t bother checking it. I’m not ready for reality to rear its ugly head. Instead, I glance at Daisy. She’s still slumped on her seat with one hand shielding her face from view.
I laugh, and she lowers her hand enough to glare.
“There’s nothing funny about what just happened. I’ve never been more humiliated in my life,” she grumbles.
“Well, had he stumbled upon us five minutes later,” I interject. “I think this moment wouldn’t have felt so bad.”
Daisy groans and buries her face in both hands. “I’ll never be able to show my face there again.”
“I doubt it’s your face that he’ll remember.”
That comment earns me a whack on the chest.
“Ow,” I laugh and rub the spot with my fingers. It doesn’t hurt all that much. I take a worse beating out on the field every day, but I have the feeling that she’ll hit me again if she doesn’t think I’ve been properly chastised.
“I blame you for this,” she declares.
A shit-eating grin lights up my face. “I’m curious as to how you arrived at that conclusion since it wasn’t my idea to start stripping.”
Her scowl intensifies. If it were possible to smite me on the spot with a single look, that one would do the trick. I’ll tell you what, she’s adorable when she’s all heated up like this. I’m tempted to pull the car over and take her in my arms. I’d like to do a hell of a lot more than that, but obviously, considering what just happened, I’m not about to take any chances on getting busted for making out. Plus, I’m pretty sure that overzealous park ranger killed the mood.
“You’re too damn sexy for your own good,” she mutters.
Ummm, excuse me?
I perk up. “You think I’m sexy?” A silly grin tugs at the corners of my mouth.
“Duh.” She rolls her eyes. “The entire female population at BU thinks you’re sexy.”
The smile fades. “I don’t care what anyone else thinks. Just you.” I hold her gaze for a moment. “You realize that, right?”
She shrugs, looking uncertain.
“There’s just you.” I reach over and nab her fingers, squeezing them tight with my own.
Her gaze drops to our clasped hands. “I’m sure you’re aware of all the options you have.”
“I don’t need options,” I reiterate. “Just you.”
