She pinches the bottom one between her teeth, and I have to fight the urge not to reach out and claim it for myself.
Will kissing her a second time be as good as the first?
“We should go,” I blurt, my voice deep and raspy.
“Yeah,” she agrees, although I swear there’s a little sadness in her tone.
Reaching out, I press the start button and bring this beast of an engine to life.
No, I didn’t just buy this car so that Bea didn’t have to climb into my truck. I wanted it anyway. But I can’t deny that she got my ass moving a little faster on it.
The drive to our next destination is short, and as we pull into the almost-empty parking lot, the sun is just beginning its descent, turning the sky a beautiful pink hue.
I look over at Bea as she takes in our surroundings, or more so, the moored boats in front of us.
“Ready for our next adventure?”
37
BEATRICE
“Oh my god,” I shriek as we take off toward the horizon. The salty air rushes over my face and blows through my hair.
When Everett invited me out tonight, standing beside him while he drives a yacht didn’t even feature on the list of things I thought we might do.
He glances over with a wide smile. It’s a far cry from the man who sat before me in his car not so long ago, struggling to explain himself.
I really felt for him. I understand what it’s like not to have control over your life. Sure, the things I’ve experienced are different from Everett’s struggles, and I’d never try to compare the two, but they’ve definitely helped me understand him more.
He was right; I had done my research. The stories online don’t paint him in a very good light. He goes through women like most people go through coffee, he gets into brawls, causes trouble, and generally makes Hailee’s life difficult. I can fully understand why she wants to find a way to clean up his act. And I can’t deny, there is a huge part of me that wants to help.
I could see the torment in his eyes as clear as day. And while it might not be my responsibility to help banish it, I kinda want it to be.
“Are you okay?” Everett shouts over the sound of the engine and the waves that are crashing against the sides of the boat.
“Yeah,” I call back, my smile as wide as his.
“I didn’t really consider the morning sickness when I planned this.”
“You don’t need to worry,” I say, squeezing his hand. “I’ve forgotten all about it.”
It’s not entirely the truth. It’s impossible to ignore. But this is by far the closest I have come to it.
His thumb absently brushes against the inside of my wrist, and warmth rushes up my arm.
Since he entwined our fingers in the car, there’s barely been a moment when he’s released my hand.
I’m not really sure what to think of it. But I must confess, I kinda like it.
“You’ve driven one of these before, right?”
He barks a laugh. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing,” he confirms as we race toward, well, nothing.
“Where are we going?”
“Here and there,” he says.
“Right.” I scan my surroundings, taking in the endless ocean. It’s incredible, and so peaceful. Well, aside from the engine.
