Her forehead is furrowed when she gets out and stomps towards my window, which I roll down slowly.
“Oliver, I need to leave. Can you please move?” She chews on her bottom lip, looking worriedly towards the road.
“In a hurry?” I turn off my ignition and push my door open, propping my feet on the running board.
Her scowl could freeze the sun.
She raises her voice and buries her fists against her hips. “Oliver Brookes, I’m going to be late for something very…important.”
“You know—” I stand up, towering over her. “—I’m getting used to you yelling my name, but it needs a little morepassionbehind it.” I don’t make any effort to hide my smirk.
My cards are being played.
Her nose wrinkles. “I thought I made it clear, I’m taken.”
I take a step closer to her. “I know you are.” Drawing a deep breath, I press my palm against the window of my rig to steady myself. “By me.”
She drops her brows and startles back. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Then she pauses. “You wish,” she scoffs.
There it is, the flare of doubt.
“No, I don’t. I know it’s true. You’re mine,Racing Queen.” I want to pull her close, but I give her the chance to let my words sink in.
Her cheeks pale as her head shakes. “No,” she exhales. “You’re fucking with me.”
She lifts her arms and spins. “I don’t have time for this shit—”
“Captain Hook.”
When I drop the safeword, her spine goes rigid and she freezes.
Ever so slowly, she turns on her heel. “What did you say?”
Now or never, cowboy.
Snaking my hand out, I grab her elbow and spin her until she’s pressing her chest against the side of my truck.
Pinning her there with my body, I lower my lips to her ear.
“Maybe this will jog your memory,princess? Was it that time in the stall when I put my baby in you?” My palm is between her and the cold metal, close enough to her racing heart I can feel the rapid staccato under my thumb.
She doesn’t struggle, but takes a shuddering breath. “Biggie?” Her voice cracks.
“Yes, Soph,” I whisper, loosening my hold to frame her gently.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Pain tinges each word. “I don’t understand.”
“I didn’t know it was you until Pendleton, I swear on that. But I knew you hated me.” Blood rushes to my groin pressing against her.
I never want to let her go.
“I didn’thateyou,” she sighs.
“You don’tnow. But this is why I made you wait.” I press a kiss to her temple. “It’s been torture.”
She turns in my arms to reveal her tear-streaked cheeks. “This can’t be real.”
