I couldn’t look at her with anything more than quick glances. She sat up and her fogginess cleared away the longer she looked at me.
“I can’t…get the…car started.” My words halted between gasps for breath.
“Okay. It’s okay. I can drive.” Her palm moved up and down my arm.
Aside from the shaking I couldn’t control, I was frozen solid. Muscles in my neck and shoulders were so bunched with tension I sat like the Hunchback. I looked over her face. It hurt me. It made my blood burn faster. Her beautiful cheek was scratched, a tiny bit of blood trickling down. The edges of my vision went black.
“You can’t drive. You were just—”
"I sure can." Her voice was cool. How was she so cool? After what happened? How could she even breathe? "My…I was taught by Duane. He's a damn good driver. Scooch on over."
“You could be hurt.”
She laughed once. “If that’s your excuse then I call bull.”
I shook my head, staring straight ahead.
“Ford, your whole face is covered in blood. It’s getting in your eyes.”
That explained why I couldn’t see very well. It was hard to know what was emotion and what was physical at this point.
“I can’t move.” Some of the adrenaline drained and I started feeling weak. Spots on my head and body began to thrum with pain.
“Okay, okay. No worries.” Her voice was still so cool and cautious.
I turned and scooped her into my arms. She gasped at my sudden action. She was probably in pain. She was probably scared of being touched but I couldn’t stop myself. I was already so far gone, better to let the beast inside run the show. Before he left.
I nuzzled into her neck. My hands clasped the back of her dress before moving over her exposed skin. Feeling every inch while I could. I studied her face. I checked her body and hugged her again. How do I convey the fear? How do I show her how terrified I was seeing her…I pushed those thoughts away. Inhaling her deeply, I memorized her warmth against my cheek.
“Oh, Ford,” she said my name on a sigh, and I thought I might have died. “It’s okay. I’m okay. You’re okay.” She petted my head, her nails lightly scratching my scalp. “But we have to go. Right now.”
Distantly the sound of deep rumbling motors filled the silence between us.
Suzie climbed over me, straddling me for a moment to cup my cheeks and pull my gaze toward her. She was in danger, teasing my control like this. She didn’t know that I was gone and the beast was in control. Only the scene I had just witnessed kept the lust contained. I wouldn’t be another man in her life hurting her for selfish needs. I would never hurt her.
“Everything is fine.” She smoothed my hair back and lifted my face to hers. “I’m gonna drive us out of here. You’re okay.” She grabbed my hand and placed it over her heart. She was very much teasing the beast. “I’m okay.” She swallowed and dropped her forehead to mine. “You saved me.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep, shuddering breath. With each inhale in I regained control but other feelings started to stir. Harder-to-control feelings.
“Now we’ve got to get the heck out of Dodge.”
I slid to the passenger seat and Suzie adjusted the driver’s seat.
“Buckle up.” She was all seriousness as she adjusted the mirrors and started the car. “We’re gonna go fast.”
I thought I couldn’t be surprised anymore, but this was Suzie.
She dropped the clutch and shot us out of that parking lot like a pinball shot off the plunger. Gravel kicked into the air and the backend fishtailed. She shifted smoothly, glancing in the rearview mirror occasionally. She handled the dirt and sharp curves of the unlit back roads expertly. Her focus was written over her face. We were on the main road and heading back home before I could speak.
“You do know how to drive.”
She smiled over at me. “Told ya.”
* * *
Suzie
Ford didn't speak the rest of the way home, but eventually, some of the rigid tension relaxed out of his body. I was worried about the Iron Wraiths coming after me. I was worried about what would happen to Ford now. But mostly, I worried if what he saw back there changed his opinion of me. His face was bleeding and swelling fast. I couldn't stand the silence anymore.
