Water soaks through me instantly as I look around, my chest tightening, fear creeping in that my mother already told Russel. But the lot is empty. Only my car and Dex’s truck are there.
I walk to my car, open the trunk, set one bag inside, and lift the other when I hear it.
The rumble of a motorcycle.
Fear slams into me so hard I can’t breathe.
He found me.
My hands freeze, pulse roaring in my ears as panic takes over. I throw the bag into the trunk and move to slam it shut when the sound gets closer.
Too familiar.
I turn.
Dex.
He takes his helmet off, dragging a hand through his wet hair as rain pours down, his eyes already locked on mine.
He parks behind my car and pulls off his helmet. Rain pours over both of us, dripping from his hair, clinging to his lashes as his eyes lock on mine.
“You leaving?” His voice is hoarse.
“I…” My throat tightens. I shake my head. “I hurt you.”
Tears mix with the rain as I take him in, this strong, beautiful man I broke.
“I’m so sorry, Dex.”
He pushes off his bike and walks toward me.
“I’m not mad at you.”
He stops just a few feet away, and my heart stumbles.
“What?” I search his eyes.
Softness. Warmth. Still there.
“Don’t leave me,” he says, something raw in his voice making my chest cave in.
“I can’t stay, Dex. Russel will know, and he’ll find us and…”
He steps closer.
Slow. Certain.
His hand comes up, brushing a strand of wet hair from my face before his fingers slide along my jaw and settle at my neck, warm and steady despite the rain.
“Fuck Russel.”
His thumb drags over my lower lip, slow and deliberate, like he’s memorizing it, and my breath catches before I can stop it.
“What do you want, Tinker?”
What do I want?
“I want to leave so that you’re…”
