“No.”
“How did you meet Asshat?”
“We’re not talking about him.”
“Okay.” He grew silent for the next two songs, tapping out their beats on the steering wheel.
Then, out of the blue, he reached out and squeezed her leg. “Who in your life is involved with drugs?”
“My brother.” The words escaped before she realized what she’d done. She cursed and turned away to look out the window again. That was Forest’s secret to tell, and she’d violated his trust by blurting it out.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to stir up bad memories.”
“Bean’s not a bad memory.”
“Bean? That’s an odd name.”
“He doesn’t like his real name. I’m probably the only one who uses it anymore.” And only when Forest would piss her off. “Bean’s short for beanpole. He used to be really small, and then he turned tall and gangly. I called him my little Beanpole. Now, everyone calls him Bean.”
“Ah,” he said with a nod. “And he has a drug problem?”
“Has, had.” She waved a hand. “It’s a process. He’s been in and out of rehab so many times that I don’t keep count any more. He’s more of a self-medicator than an addict.”
“A what?”
“Bean’s…odd,” she said. “He’s socially awkward, practically inept, but he’s brilliant. As in, he operates in a different stratosphere than the rest of us. He’s a bona fide genius. He uses drugs to interact with normal people.”
“And you stick with him?” Ash seemed to hear exactly what she’d said. Unlike Spencer, this man listened when she spoke.
“Yeah, and he sticks by me.”
“What does he think of your maybe, maybe-not fiancé?”
She squinted. “Rule number two, we’re not talking about Spencer.”
“Rule number three, babe, no more rules. Let’s sit back, relax, and let the next few days take us where they will.” He flashed her a grin worthy of a rock star.
She grinned back. “Deal.”
Chapter Nine
A carefree energyflowed between Skye and Ash while the miles disappeared behind them.
Skye’s heart thumped when their gazes caught. A touch sent her flying. His laughter loosened the tight grip she held on her emotions.
She offered to share the driving, but Ash refused to let her handle his baby. They split every expense right down the middle, except when they stopped at a secondhand store to buy Ash clothes for the trip.
Standing beside the Jeep, Skye stretched up on her tiptoes, gravel crunching beneath her feet, and threw her arms around his neck. Passion simmered between them with a growing desire for something more. As she pulled him down, the smile slipped from his lips, only to be replaced with a lusty smirk.
“Skye,” he breathed out.
“Shut up, and kiss me,” she said, letting her lips meet his.
The moment of contact short-circuited her brain. A low groan escaped him as he wrapped a hand around her waist, obliteratingany free space between their bodies. His chest expanded with each pull of his breath. His hips molded against hers, his legs shifting to support their weight. His tongue skimmed along her upper lip—licking, tasting, and teasing. When she opened for him, he bit playfully at her lower lip.
He rocked his hips, pressing his erection against her. “Feel what you do to me? You’re going to drive me crazy.” His fingers traced the line of her jaw. “Stay here while I buy some clothes. And, while you’re thinking about that kiss, I’d love if you’d think about what defines sex.” He gave her a wink. “Because there are lots of definitions.”
“Definitions?”
