Her grip on me tightens. “What do you mean? Like don’t punch it?”
My cheeks ache from my uncharacteristically prolonged smile. “Meaning don’t jerk in the other direction. Just move with me. Think of us as one solid person. Okay?”
“You did this on purpose, didn’t you? You think you’re so slick.”
I scoff playfully. “What?Me? I’d never.”
She harrumphs, her hands loosening again. Sadly.
“Here we go. Remember, body with mine. Keep your feet firm on the pedals and squeeze with your thighs, which Iknowyou’re good at.”
“I really hate you right now.”
“Hold on tight, spider monkey.”
With a laugh braided in her tone, she asks, “Did you just quoteTwilight?”
I rev the engine. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Our hero is still a liar.
And Mr. Freeman is still anunwanted guest in my mind.
I glance both ways for oncoming traffic. “Here we go, cookie.”
Once we’re on the road, I give it some gas, steadily ramping up the speed.
“Eep!” she squawks in my ear and presses closer to me. Breasts, thighs, and arms. All of her. Flush against me.
Heaven.
Thisis my joy, indeed.
SIXTEEN
Highway to the danger zone
LILA
Go to your happy place.Go to your happy place.
With my eyes closed, my face buried into Reed’s back, and a death grip around his waist, I repeat the cliché phrase like it’s my new mantra.
Unfortunately, it’s zero help. Nada. Zilch. Zip.
Possibly because I don’t know where my happy place is. Do I even have one? Is that something you’re assigned at birth, or is there an application process I missed somewhere along the line?
“You okay back there?” Reed asks.
“Mm-hmm. Just hurry up and get me home.”
With a mocking tone, he says, “I thought you didn’t want me to go fast?”
“You know what I mean.”
“You’re doing great. It’s getting hard to breathe, but I’d rather that than you sliding around on the seat.”
“My thighs are clenched so tightly, there’s no chance of sliding.”
