"Drive," he snapped at Parker in the front seat before the privacy glass went up.
"What the fuck is your problem?" His eyes bore into mine.
"My problem? You trying to dictate who my friends are is my problem." I crossed my arms and glared out the window.
"He's your ex, I don't think that's too much to ask," Carter snarled.
"Well, I think it is. Are we done? I've got work to do."
"Will you at least look at me?" Carter's tone softened. I took a deep breath and willed myself to relax and think rationally. I turned and glared at him. A small frown played across his lips. I sat silently waiting for him to say more.
"I wish you weren't mad at me." His eyes were soft and genuine.
"I wish you weren't a controlling, insecure stalker." I spat. His eyes shot up in surprise at the venom in my voice.
"He's in your life?" His eyes watched me.
"Yes," I deadpanned.
"Forever?"
"Maybe."
Carter took a deep sigh. I could see the thoughts turning over in his mind. "You don't want him?"
"No."
"What if I say that I can live with him in your life then? Will you not be mad at me?" I couldn't help the grin that lifted the corners of my mouth at his childish question.
"I don't know, Carter. You can't tell me who I can be around. I don't love being around Sawyer, but he's Cate's brother, so he's around. And I'm not giving up Cate, ever." I trailed off.
"I want you back, Eva." His hand brushed down my arm and he wrapped his fingers in mine. "I'll do anything if you'll come back." He squeezed my hand. I sat looking at our hands intertwined. I didn't know if I could deal with his mood swings; if I was willing to. When it was great with Carter, it was so great, but he could make me angry enough to spit bullets. I heaved a sigh and worked our brief relationship over in my brain.
"I've told you I want you back, Eva, and you've said nothing." Carter turned my body to face him.
"You piss me off, Carter." I glared at him.
"I piss a lot of people off." He continued to watch me. "But we're good too, right?" The corners of his mouth lifted in a small grin.
"Yes," I admitted, still a little angry. "I can see Sawyer?"
Carter heaved a sigh. "Yes, I don't like it, but you can."
"You won't say a word?" I arched an eyebrow.
"No." His jaw clenched.
"Any other rules?"
"No short dresses around him." And with that Carter hauled me over to his side of the seat and straddled me across his lap. "And answer your fucking phone next time."
"I didn't want to talk to you." I crossed my arms and a small smile played across my lips.
"You drive me insane, woman." His palms trailed up the bare skin of my thighs and underneath my dress.
"You drive me insane." I tugged his hair between my fingers. A grin lifted one side of his mouth and my heart melted. I kissed him long and soft on the lips and savored his taste. I inhaled his freshwater scent and my nerves buzzed with energy.
"I couldn't stand it when you didn't answer my calls." He pulled away and whispered in my ear. I took another breath and nuzzled into the crook of his neck. "I can't wait to take you away this weekend." He brushed his hand down my hair.
"Me too," I breathed into his ear.
As Cate and I got ready to go to dinner that evening I filled her in on the fight Carter and I had had. Now that we'd resolved the situation, regardless of how grudgingly Carter had caved, I was ready to share.
"I see his point." Cate shrugged as she twirled her hair around a curling iron.
"What?" I whipped around to face her.
"Sure. Would you like him hanging around his ex? Someone who he'd slept with?"
"Definitely not." I shook my head emphatically. "But it's Sawyer. We grew up together, and he's your brother. I can't not see him."
"Maybe not, but I still get it. He may have went about it the wrong way, but I get it." She tipped her head over and fingered through the curls to loosen them. I frowned at her.
"Do you like him?" I asked her thoughtfully.
"Who wouldn't? He's smokin', Eva. But I think he's different with you. Difficult for sure, but he's used to getting what he wants; used to women throwing themselves at him. You don't, and I think he likes it." She waggled her eyebrows at me and laughed.
"I can't believe you're siding with Carter on this." I flopped on her bed and crossed my arms.
"I'm not siding with him, I just see his point." She sat down on the bed beside me. "Look, he told you he's never brought anyone to his home before. He's taking you to Aspen this weekend. He chases you when you leave, Eva. You've got him on his knees; he can't stand being without you. I doubt he's used to feeling that way." She fingered a tendril of my hair.