"What music do you like?" she asks, reaching both tied hands up and flicking the radio on, then immediately turning the knob off the station I might have been listening to. This girl has no boundaries.Why do I like that so much?
I grab her wrists and set them back on her lap. "I certainly don't listen to the shit on the radio," I tell her, switching to Bluetooth so my phone can connect to the system.
Linkin Park comes through the speakers, and she shouts, "In the end! I love this song."
"You know them?" I scoff.
"Oh, please, everyone knows them." She rolls her eyes, shaking her head at me.
We talk comfortably and easily for almost an hour.
I'm smiling, enjoying the drive, until I realize I've been so distracted by her that I've missed my planned stop.
"Fuck," I snap, annoyed with myself.
"What?" she asks, sitting up straighter.
I ignore her, scouting ahead on the GPS. Ok, the gas station isn't far.
I didn't want to stop for gas or be seen by anyone. But in my conversations with her, I missed the turn off where I left the second car waiting. I was just supposed to stop, swap cars, and keep driving. I guess I won't be doing that anymore.
But if we're getting to where we're going, I'll need to fuel up.
When we pull into the gas station parking space, she perks up, pulling her legs off the dashboard and sitting up straight. "Oh my word, yes. Can you get me one of those chocolates with the marshmallow goo inside? It comes in a purple packet. Do you know which one I'm talking about? Or maybe popcorn. I love popcorn. I just think I should eat something. I get pretty grumpy when I'm hungry, and I'm sure you don't want to have to deal with that," she says.
"You? Grumpy?" I muse.
"Oh yes, it's Jekyll and Hyde when I don't get fed on time," she teases. "And you're already cutting it close. We've been road tripping forhours."
"I guess I'd better feed you then. Just chocolate and popcorn? Can't I get you a toasted sandwich or something? We've still got another hour or two of driving ahead."
If food is going to get her to soften up to me even more, then I'll get her whatever the hell she wants.
"Mm. Maybe a pie. Spinach and cheese? Feta?"
"Please don't tell me you're a vegetarian or something," I grumble, thinking about all the special meals I'll have to make while she's my prisoner. It sounds like a lot of work.
She laughs, shaking her head. "Nope, but they are the best pies. Especially if they're homemade."
I breathe a sigh of relief. "Ok, I'll be right back. I'll get us some snacks and fill the tank."
Before I get out of the car, I glance at her wrists. We're in the middle of nowhere now. There's literally nowhere for her to escape to. She'd be stupid to make a run for it out here.
I swipe my card against the panel and type in how much fuel I need. The end of the nozzle is resting in my gas tank.While I'm standing there, I'm thinking about how unexpectedly this has all been going as I watch her through the car window. I wonder how the rest of it will go. So far, it looks like she's going to be an easy prisoner. Maybe even pleasant.
When the tank is full, I click the spout back into place and tap on the window. "I'll be right back," I call out. She smiles at me.Damn, she's really beautiful.
The cashier is ringing up my purchase and shoving it into a bag for me.
The guy looks bored out of his mind, and I can't help feeling sorry for him. I'd go crazy in this job too. Nothing happens around here. The monotony would kill me.
"You can tap your card here," he grumbles, gesturing toward the machine.
It beeps to acknowledge the payment and spits out a slip of paper.
"Thanks, man," I say, picking up the packet of goods and smiling at him. He doesn't smile back.
A bell rings above my head when I push the doors open and step outside.
