Page 36 of The Taste of Deceit

It suddenly makes the black velvet box in my pocket feel a whole lot heavier than it is.

The tires hum against the highway as Ford points out another stretch of land Sarah insists I have to see before we leave. Adele laughs at one of his stories while Sarah eagerly fills in details he’d left out. Every few seconds, she points out another place she used to ride horses or hike with her dad, and every time she does, I catch myself smiling.

Her hand settles on my thigh. I don’t think much of it until her fingertips begin slowly drifting higher. I glance down before looking over at her. She’s staring out the passenger-side window like she’s completely captivated by the mountains rolling past. I know that look. She’s full of shit.

I give her one warning glance. She doesn’t even acknowledge it. Instead, her fingers creep another inch. I casually wrap my hand around her wrist, stopping them in their tracks. The corners of her mouth twitch, but she keeps her eyes fixed outside like she has no idea what’s happening.

“Behave,” I murmur in her ear.

“I am.”

“You’re really not.”

She finally looks at me, blinking with the most innocent expression I’ve ever seen. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I hold her gaze for another second before letting go of her wrist. She waits all of three seconds before her hand starts wandering again. I catch it without looking this time, lacing my fingers through hers and holding them firmly against my leg.

She lets out the quietest, most dramatic sigh. “That’s cheating.”

I shake my head, fighting a smile. “No, Baby Girl. That’s self-preservation.”

She giggles under her breath, clearly pleased with herself, and finally leaves my hand alone. For almost an entire minute. Then I feel one finger begin inching upward again.

I don’t even have to look at her this time.

“Sarah.”

She smiles sweetly.

“Yes?”

“You’re a menace.”

“You love me.”

I glance over long enough to catch the smug grin she’s trying—and failing—to hide.

“Unfortunately.”

“Everything alright back there?” Ford asks, glancing in the rearview mirror.

“Yes, Daddy,” Sarah says sweetly. “Luca was telling me how excited he is to ride a horse for the first time.”

My head snaps toward her. The corners of her mouth twitch.

“Was he now?”

“Absolutely, sir. I’ve heard so much about them.”

I pinch her side, and she squeals.

I frown. “You okay?”

Adele turns around.

“Everything alright, baby?”

Sarah nods quickly.