Foolproof Love(14)

 

That was Devil’s Falls, though. She liked it, no matter that people like Grant and Adam no doubt looked down on the locals—probably the only thing those two had in common. It was nice to know that on any given weekend night, she could walk down the street and find a few of her uncles or cousins playing poker at the bar, or some of the girls from her graduating class having a ladies’ night out at the Joint with classy martinis and cosmos.

 

But…there was no way she’d be able to walk through the doors of any place in town without running into half a dozen people she knew. Something she hadn’t really thought about when she’d gotten dressed. Crap.

 

That’s the whole point of this. To prove you’re not a spinster pining after Grant. You’re alive and exciting and dating the town bad boy.

 

If that wasn’t scandalous, she didn’t know what was.

 

It sounded great—in theory. In practice, she wasn’t sure she’d survive the embarrassment. “Are you sure I don’t look ridiculous?” Her shorts were so short, they might be illegal. She pulled at the hem, but it didn’t do a single thing to cover her more.

 

“You look…like a scandal waiting to happen.”

 

She glanced at him, shocked all over again by the edge in his voice. She wasn’t sure if he sounded mad or turned on. “Are you okay? If you’re not feeling well, we can reschedule for another night.”

 

“Holy fuck.” Adam laughed harshly and pulled the truck onto the edge of the road. He turned to her, his shoulders filling the space between the steering wheel and the seat, suddenly seeming a whole lot closer. “Sugar, you’re killing me. You’re seducing me without even realizing you’re doing it.”

 

“I…am?” She realized what she’d said and lifted her chin. “I mean, I am. Good. Right?” She groaned and slouched in her seat. “I’m pretty sure you’re not feeling seduced anymore.”

 

She expected him to laugh or something, but he just reached across the bench seat and snagged her waist, dragging her toward him. She bit back a yelp when he lifted her to straddle him. “Uh, I’m pretty sure we’re breaking some sort of law right now.”

 

“Nah. We’re parked and inside my vehicle. You’re covered.”

 

She twisted enough to look through the windshield. There didn’t seem to be anyone around, but that didn’t mean there weren’t eyes on them.

 

Which is the freaking point. Get it together, girl.

 

His hands drifted over her hips, not touching so much as a sliver of bare skin, but she felt branded all the same. Was this guy hiding a forest fire beneath his skin? Adam looked at her with those too-dark eyes, his expression serious and yet somehow savage. “Are you ready to make a scene, sugar?”

 

She licked her lips. Definitely not a mild-mannered nice guy—more like a lone wolf who’s just as likely to cuddle you as rip your throat out. “Yes. Public display of affection without possibility of arrest. Good thinking.”

 

He smiled. “I’m not going to do anything you don’t want me to. You say the word and I stop. Repeat that back to me.”

 

Her heart was beating too fast, her tight clothing seeming to become even tighter with each breath. “You’re not going to do anything I don’t want you to.”

 

“And?”

 

“I say the word and you stop.” It was harder to get the last part out, mostly because she couldn’t stop staring at his mouth. He’d blown her away with the rushed fake kiss the other night. How much better would it be if he was planning on actually, say, kissing her? Her body broke out in goose bumps at the thought. “Adam—”

 

One of his hands left her hip to frame her jaw, his thumb tracing over her bottom lip. “Rule number one to making this believable—stop overthinking and worrying about who could be watching. Just focus on me and feel.”

 

Easier said than done. “I’m really good at overthinking.” Though it was really hard to connect her thoughts with him touching her like that, his thumb coasting back and forth, back and forth.

 

“I can see that.” His fingers curled around the back of her neck, easing her forward. “What are you thinking about now?”

 

She was forced to brace her hands on his chest to avoid toppling against him, and the feel of all those muscles beneath his T-shirt made her brain short out. She kneaded her fingers, moving up to his shoulders and then down again. Belatedly, she realized he’d asked her something. “I’m sorry, what?”