Page 43 of Detour

A charming smile splits said face. I gently pull my hand from his.

“I told you I wouldn’t let you fall. I got you.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“Then let me,” he counters. “Let me get to know you.” He steps closer and slowly, ever so slowly, brings his hands up to frame my face. The intensity in his eyes holds me captive as his boots brush my shell toes. “I want to know everything about you, babe, but I’ll settle for whatever you’re willing to give me.”

I don’t realize I’m crying until I feel Coty wipe a stray tear away with his thumb. The realization sends me reeling. Coty, however, senses my withdrawal and leans forward, resting his forehead against mine.

I close my eyes, willing the others not to follow their predecessors.

“Are you still going riding with me?”

I shake my head which only makes him laugh.

“Yes, you are. You already promised. I mean you basically dry humped me when I asked so that’s as good as a promise in my mind.”

My eyes snap open to find him smiling mischievously. He knows just when to lighten the mood. Jerk.

His gaze holds mine, leaving the ball in my court, and I take the moment to simply breathe him in. The hint of coconut is slightly washed out from his long ride. Nature, fumes, and unconcealed want— he smells like a man on a mission. He knows where he’s going and there are only two options—jump on and enjoy the ride or get the hell out of the way. You only regret the chances you don’t take, right?

I bring my hands up to wrap around the back of his neck and gently scratch his hairline behind his ears. His eyes remain open but darken to a dusky brown, almost black. Before I can overthink it, I lean in, closing the distance. As my lips touch his, he hesitates, still leaving the choice up to me. His hands twitch on my cheeks but he doesn’t increase pressure. He lets me go at my own pace, not pushing me into anything I’m not ready for. My eyes flutter closed as I press my lips to his in a tender kiss. He groans out his own appreciation, but still, he doesn’t move. His lips are the perfect mix of soft and strong. I know he could overtake me at any moment, yet there’s something so potent in trusting that he won’t.

I pull back to thank him again but Coty beats me to it.

He drops his hands from my face, avoiding my questioning stare.

“Let’s get you home.”

I return to Creekwood without any music, letting the calm night air fill my senses while reflecting on the unexpected turns this night took. I was close to losing my grip. The grip on why I continue. On why I keep fighting when I’m constantly reminded how easy it would be to give up. I’ve struggled my whole life to change the course my mother mapped out for me. Tonight felt like one wrong turn too many. Joe’s callous treatment had me considering crashing the entire thing just to escape the endless obstacles.

I didn’t though. Coty appearing unannounced being a big reason. His presence soothes me as much as it unnerves me. He shouldn’t have the effect he does on me, only having known each other for a short time, yet he understands what I need when I need it. I’m sick of fighting the attraction I have to him, but I still need to keep some distance, at least emotionally, since living next door is proving difficult where space is concerned. I never want to leave my happiness, or sanity, in the hands of a man like my mother has spent her life doing. A little fun with Coty without a commitment might help take care of both desires. Light and easy. Nothing too deep.

I also need to figure out what to do about Joe. I can’t let him catch me like he did again. He may get others to play his sick games but I won’t be one of them. No matter what promises he makes, it’s not worth selling the only thing I have left—my dignity.

There’s no way I can tell Drew what happened. There’s no way I can tell anyone about what Joe did. It’d be my word against his and mine already has the stench of my mother’s misdeeds attached to it.

If anyone did believe me, they’d expect me to quit, but I can’t. Not yet. I need the job at Hot Spots at least until graduation when I have additional availability to offer a new employer.

Just a little longer.

* * *

I hear Coty enter the lot behind me. He followed me the entire way back, keeping a comfortable distance for my sake more than his I’m sure.

Climbing the stairs, exhaustion from the day settles over me like a harsh current threatening to pull me under.

As my foot reaches the top step, the boys’ door flies open, hitting the wall with a metallic clang. Beckett appears in the doorway, arms crossed over his broad chest, eyes narrowed to slits. He’d be intimidating if I didn’t already know what a softy he is.

“And where have you been?”

Seriously?

I bypass him and his probing stare, heading straight for my door.

“Hello to you, too.”

“You never work this late, so what were you doing?”