Slide(Boosted Hearts Book 3)(23)
She crossed her arms and her pert little tits lifted higher. “Why not?” Pushing away from the car, she stepped closer. “We’re friends, aren’t we? What’s the big deal?”
“I want to be on my own.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound much fun.”
Then she was standing in front of him, close, too damn close.
“I promise I won’t get in your way.” Her smile was back. “You won’t even know I’m here.”
This was the Lucy he was used to: confident, sassy, a pain in his ass. She was nothing like the Lucy he’d glimpsed over the last week. He studied her expression, but she gave away nothing. “What’s going on? Why the sudden need to get away from LA?”
She shrugged. “My brothers are being giant pains in the ass. You know what Hugh can be like.” She turned away, lifted her arms in a stretch then bent forward touching her toes. “Plus, you’re going through Denver,” she mumbled. “I have a friend there I could maybe catch up with.”
He tore his eyes off her heart-shaped ass and fought back another growl. “I’m not your personal taxi service, and like I said, I don’t want company on this trip.” He crossed his arms. “I’m taking you back.”
It would throw him off schedule, but better that than being confined to a vehicle with his biggest temptation.
She opened her mouth, he guessed to argue, but he talked right over her. “You’re not coming, Lucy.” Then he pulled his phone out of his pocket and called John.
His cousin answered on the second ring. “’Sup?”
“I’m gonna be a day late.”
John cursed several times. Loudly. “I need the car here in three days. Fuck.” He was quiet several seconds. “Adam, man. The shop depends on it.”
“What do you mean the shop depends on it?” John owned a panel shop, which was why he could afford to own a car like the one Lucy was currently leaning against, watching him intently. He turned away, ignoring the tightening in his gut. The car had been wrecked and needed extensive bodywork. His cousin was one of the best around, and did goddamn amazing work.
“The divorce was a big hit. I had to buy Jocelyn out of the business or sell up. You know this place is my life. I’m mortgaged up to the fucking eyeballs. I need a few more big jobs to give me some breathing room. The Superbird’s my showpiece. I know it’s a big ask, but I need it here in time for the car expo.”
Fuck. John had worked his ass off to build that business. If he lost it…shit. Not only had his wife fucked around on him, she’d taken him to the cleaners. Adam ran a hand over his face. “I’ll get it there in time.”
John let out a rough breath. “I owe you.”
“You have no idea.”
They said their goodbyes and he turned to the she-devil behind him. The fucking smile was back.
“Lucy…”
She threw her arms in the air. “Road trip.” Then she was around the car and in the passenger seat before he could say another damn word.
Jesus Christ. Taking a fortifying breath, he yanked the door open, and got in behind the wheel. He glanced her way. “We need a few ground rules.”
She sat back and propped her feet up on the dashboard. “Shoot.”
Fuck, she looked so damn happy; cheeks flushed again, eyes bright, mouth lush and pink like she’d been worrying her lower lip.
“Number one: feet stay off the dashboard.” He reached out and grabbed her calf, and instantly wished he hadn’t. He did not need to know that her skin was silky smooth and so damn soft he had to fight the urge not to lean in and lick his way up to the hem of those tiny shorts…fuck, bury his face against the heat between her thighs, inhale her sweet scent…find out if she waxed any other parts of her body. He yanked his hand back and cleared his throat. “Second: no screwing with the stereo, and third: we stop when I say we stop. We’re on a tight schedule and there’s no time for fucking around.”
Tucking her hair behind her ear, she looked over at him, eyes wide, almost innocent. “Surely there’ll time for a little fucking around?”
Her eyes were locked on his, and he didn’t miss the mischief behind her words—or the heat. Jesus, he felt them like silk dragging across his balls. Struck dumb, Adam just stared at her. She can’t mean…she wasn’t saying she wanted to…
“I have a condition of my own,” she added.
He actually jolted at the sound of her voice. “Yeah? And what’s that?” His voice had dropped lower, broadcasting the need pounding through him.
“Don’t tell my brothers I’m with you. I’ll text, tell them I’m fine and with a friend so they don’t worry. But I don’t want them to know where I am.”