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“Because I’m two seconds away from taking you right here and now,” he grits out, his face scrunched up in pure agony.

“And?” I ask, biting my lip, eager to continue.

“I’m not fucking you in a car for our first time. I want you in a bed, sprawled out like a meal in front of me.”

“Then take me home.” My voice comes out shakily.

He closes his eyes for a second before quickly pulling the straps of my dress back up so I’m covered again. Then he kisses me one more time before hoisting me off his lap and back into the passenger side.

“Here,” he says, handing me his shirt again. “I want you in my clothes again.”

I smile and do what I’m told.

“Good girl.”

Chapter 24

Hayden

The drive to Robin’s house is a blur.

I have to make sure not to look at her beside me, because I don’t know if I’ll be able to stay on the road.

I only allow myself a hand on her thigh, and she happily places her hand on top of mine.

When I pull up in front of her house, she doesn’t need to be told to stay in the car. I jump out and jog around the car to open the passenger door for her.

“Hold on,” she says, when I hold my hand out. “I have to put my shoes back on.”

My gaze lands on her silver stilettos discarded by her feet, and I reach out to stop her. “Wait, don’t put them back on. I’ll carry you inside.”

She gives me a sly smile and picks up her shoes, along with her purse and the takeout bag.

I turn around to let her get on my back.

“What, you don’t want to carry me in your arms?” she jokes as she climbs onto my back and wraps her arms around my neck.

“Nah, I prefer you riding on top of me,” I clap back, shutting the car door with my foot.

She snorts. “Smooth.”

I gallop to her front door, Robin laughing and bouncing on my back as she holds on to me tightly.

“Key is in my purse if you can reach,” she says, waving her purse in front of my face.

I take it from her, fish out her key, and unlock the door. Robin finds the light switch, and I begrudgingly let her slide off my back.

I am slipping out of my shoes when her cat comes around the corner to greet us.

“Morty.” Robin crouches down and holds out her hands. “How is my big and handsome boy? Did you miss me? Was I gone too long?”

I squat down beside her and let Mortimer sniff my hand, and he immediately rubs his face against me. This is the first time I’ve seen him since the vet visit.

“That’s Hayden,” Robin says affectionately. “He saved your life, Mort.”

“He’s so soft,” I marvel, laughing when Mortimer flips on his back for a belly rub. “He is perfect, just like you.”

“He is the most perfect boy,” Robin says, leaning down to rub her face in her cat’s fur.