“It’s the other way.”
A secretive grin twists his lips. “Change of plans.”
I sit up a little straighter. “Kidnapping me?”
“I’ve heard princesses have high bounties,” he muses.
“I’d classify myself as more of a prisoner.”
“In that case,” he drawls, flicking the blinker as he steers us down a county road. “Consider this a jailbreak.”
“Whatever you say, big guy,” I snicker, my gaze drifting out the window. Each mile brings us further from familiar suburbia and deeper into sleepy, rural outskirts. Rows of trees stretch into the distance, occasionally broken by trailers or old ranch homes.
The truck slows as we turn onto a dirt road marked by a “No Trespassing” sign, following it until the streetlights are dancing bulbs in the rearview. Once we’re surrounded by darkness, Seba cuts the engine and headlights and stares ahead into the night.
“I’ve missed this place,” he murmurs before reaching behind my seat for a backpack. “Come on.”
I hop out of the truck and meet at the tailgate. He hoists himself into the back, takes a blanket from the bag, and spreads it across the bed. Once he’s satisfied with his setup, he extends a hand to me.
I take it, allowing him to help me up. He lies back, reeling me down beside him. Side by side, we stare up…
My breath catches.
“It's beautiful,” I whisper, taking in the uninhibited view of the stars in every direction.
Warm fingers lace with mine.
“The time spent here after Dad’s accident was the most peaceful time of my life.” His Adam’s apple bobs on a swallow. “But ever since we moved, I feel like I’m caught in a storm that’s only getting heavier… unless I’m with you. You’re the calm in the chaos. You’re my orange grove.”
A knot forms in the back of my throat, my fingers tightening around his. I roll on my side, facing him.
“I don’t think I’ve ever known peace,” I admit, tracing the harsh line of his jaw. “But I’d like a taste.”
He mirrors me, eyes searching mine.
They dip to my lips.
Back to my eyes.
A whisper of mint. A tickle of stubble.
Our noses brush.
Then lips.
First soft pressure… then more. Warmth pours through me, radiating from our kiss in waves. I melt into it, surrender to the feeling. To him.
Twenty-One
SEBA
The cursor blinks impatientlyin the blank short-answer box. I’ve been working on this scholarship application all morning and have barely gotten halfway through. My brain is stuck in the back of my truck under a blanket of stars, Andrea’s plush lips moving against mine in effortless synchrony. Soft curves gliding under my palms as I slowly explored, imagining the feel of her skin under her clothes. Not that I’d push for more, no matter how badly I want her.
But if she asked…
I shake my head, attempting to scatter the rogue fantasies from derailing me any further.
A thud.
