Page 72 of Liquids

“The sex is much better at your place than at my mom’s,” he adds.

“There was sex at your mom’s?”

“Of course there wasn’t.”

I take in the industrial wasteland we’re speeding through. It’s hard to have a serious conversation in this thing with the noise of the engine.

“I’m staying with you whether you want me to or not,” he grunts.

I laugh at this and turn back toward him. “It was an invite, Rig,” I say, and his eyes roam mine for a bit before they swing back to the road.

He leans forward to put some music on the radio, and I stretch out and touch his thick arm.

“I’m sorry how it all went down with you and me. Not sure being friends was the best idea I ever had,” I mumble.

He laughs. “Yeah, that’s kind of why I agreed to it. Knew you wouldn’t be able to resist me if I kept bugging you.”

“Arrogant.”

“Just realistic,” he says, and I give a little growl.

He takes a hand off the steering wheel and winds his fingers through mine. “The friends thing was justified, babe. Not gonna lie, I don’t have a stellar history with women. Been burned a lot, hooked up a lot.”

I laugh. I could say the same of myself.

“But I like being with you, Carl.”

“Okay.”

There’s silence after I say this, then he says, “What does that mean?”

“It means I get it. I like being with you, too.”

He’s quiet for a moment, then he says, “What about we try for this?”

My eyes slide toward his giant body wedged behind the wheel of his truck in his plaid shirt over T-shirt and beaten-up old jeans. He said last time I saw him that he wanted more from me. This is a relationship … permanence … “You want that?”

“Yeah, I fucking want that.”

I purse my lips and look out of the window, and he sighs.

“I hope you accepted my apology for the things I said to you, babe, when we first got together about how you are. Not the most tactful guy on the planet.” He squeezes my hand.

My throat goes tight. He’s trying so hard here. “How I am?”

His mouth twists in amusement. “You fishin’?” And my lips curl up. “You’re sweet. Funny and loyal.” Then he grins. “An amazing lay.”

“And you’re an asshole!” I gasp, laughing as my chest warms. Will I ever be able to handle his rough brand of sweet?

He raises an eyebrow at me. “You don’t want to be described as an amazing lay?”

“Has anyone ever told you you’re sweet?” I say, talking over him.

He laughs as he studies the road. “Keep that top secret, babe. If that gets out, everyone’ll want a piece of me.”

“I think they already want a piece of you, Rig.”

He shakes his head. “No woman with any sense wants me. As you’ve seen from the ones I’ve hooked up with. I’ve had to chase around a bit after you, though. So that must mean you’ve got your head screwed on.” He’s full-on laughing now. “How have I done so far?”