"I'm not asking you to stop."
His eyes meet mine, and in that brief second, I see everything. The hunger. The absolute certainty that this, whatever this is, isn't going to end until we both let it.
"Good," he says. "Because I wasn't going to."
Later that day - Gas Station
The sun is high and merciless as I pull into the gas station six hours later. It’s so warm, I’ve changed into my light blue summer dress with my hair in a high ponytail. My tank is only half empty, but I need to stop for a cold drink. I’m also curious to see if he is still around. And he is.
The black dusty car pulls in thirty seconds after I do, parking at the pump directly across from mine. We get out at the same time, and take the opportunity to just admire each other over the tops of our vehicles.
He looks tired. Dark circles under his eyes, his hair messier than it had been at the diner, like he hasn't slept, that like me he's been driving for hours, but maintaining that careful distance while never letting me out of his sight. I should feel violated. Hunted.
Instead, I felt seen.
After filling up I walk toward the station to pay and he falls into step beside me, close enough that I can feel the heat radiating off his body, the smell of gasoline along with a hint of sexy cologne that’s woodsy and masculine. He has changed into a white t-shirt with his dark jeans and looks divine.
"You need to sleep," I say.
"So do you."
"I will. Eventually."
"Where are you going?"
I glance at him. "Does it matter? You'll follow me anyway."
"Yeah. But I'd still like to know."
"West." I push open the door to the station. "Nowhere specific. Just…away."
He follows me inside and the clerk barely looks up from his phone as I hand over cash for the gas.
"Away from what?" Dom asks quietly.
"Everything."
I grab my change and turn to face him.
"And everyone. I need to escape the fake bullshit. Find a real life."
"And what is real life?"
He moves closer to me and I tilt my head up to scan over that gorgeous face. We are now close enough that anyone watching would think we are together. A couple. Normal.
"This," I say. "Right now. You following me across state lines for reasons neither of us can explain. Me letting you.That's real."
His jaw tightens and he takes in a deep breath like he is restraining himself.
"You could tell me to stop."
"I could."
"But you won't."
"No."
The air between us is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Two flames coming together that will burst into a wildfire when they connect. Something is building between us, gathering force, waiting to explode.
