Page 76 of Runaway Road (Runaway 1)

“Yes, please.” She giggled.

I wrapped her up, pulling her into my chest. Then I laughed with her, long and loud.

She was staying.

“What made you change your mind?” I asked, dropping my cheek to the top of her head.

“The truth? I’m scared.”

I let her go, taking her chin under my finger to tip up her face. “Why?”

“I’ve always been the one to leave.”

One sentence, and it all made sense. Running away was how Londyn stayed in control. It was her protection mechanism. “I get it.”

“What if you leave me?” Sheer vulnerability washed over her face. She stripped away all the guards, making her even more beautiful. “I’ve never stuck around to see the pieces fall apart. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to take it.”

“I’m not going anywhere, honey. If you stay, we’re going to make a real thing out of this. Mark my words.”

“How do you know?”

I took her hand and placed it over my heart, then I covered it with my own. “I feel it. Deep.”

Londyn wasn’t in the place to hear three little words, not yet. Hell, I wasn’t ready to say them. But there wasn’t a rush. We had time.

Because she was staying.

I took her mouth in a kiss, sweeping my tongue against hers for the taste I’d crave for the rest of my life. This was a big risk on her part, and I’d make sure she never regretted it. She’d never second-guess a life in Summers.

I broke the kiss and dropped my forehead to hers. “This is a better end to the day than I’d expected.”

“Me too. Except for the whacko who ran me off the road.”

I muttered a curse. “Let’s get home.”

She nodded and let me help her up into the truck.

“Want to come along with me to the shop?” I asked, easing onto the road. “Or sit at the motel with Meggie? I don’t care either way, I just don’t want you alone.”

“I’d like to stay with you.” She shivered, reaching over for my hand. The fear she’d been hiding was leeching through her calm exterior.

“This has gone too far. The vandalism was one thing, but you could have been hurt.”

“Who would do this to me?” she whispered. “I don’t know anyone in Summers.”

“I don’t think this is about you. It’s got to be about me.”

“Well, it’s not Moira. So what other enemies do you have in town?”

“Hell if I know.” Up until today, I would have said I was a fairly well-liked guy. I got along with most folks in town. My entire family was well liked too. I couldn’t think of the last time I’d had an unhappy customer at the shop.

It didn’t take us long to get to the shop, but unloading the car took some time. When it was in its regular stall, we both walked around the Cadillac, taking in all the damage. It wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t a quick fix either.

“Mack’s going to be able to send his kids to college on all the money he’s making to fix this Cadillac.”

Londyn laughed, leaning against me. “It’s only seven o’clock but I’m so ready for bed.”