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Chapter Four
~ Reba ~
So apparently, I’d lost my ever livin’ mind. What did they say about curiosity killing the cat? Well, I’d let my curiosity and attraction talk me into finally saying yes to one of Mars’ invitations.
How many times had he off-hand invited me to come out somewhere with him? At least, two dozen. Eleven months of “no” and suddenly a “yes” popped out? What was wrong with me? But I’d been weak today, and here I was, in his vehicle while he sped down the highway.
The intimacy of it ratcheted up my awareness, the two of us seated close together, enclosed in the quiet darkness with only the quiet hum of the SUVs tires underscoring the silence. The subtle scent of his woodsy, probably pricey cologne tickled my senses. My core throbbed as I imagined being even closer to the source, pressed body to body—
Geez! Down girl!
I took a shaky breath and pushed aside the arousal. Tried to ignore it, anyway. I also tried to ignore the way his large hand capably steered the vehicle while the other one draped casually along the console between us.
I could just reach over and…
“Where are we going?” I blurted. Good heavens! This was such a terrible idea. Again I wondered what I’d been thinking. Clearly, I hadn’t been thinking at all, and just let my hormones take over my mouth.
I licked my lips, suddenly thinking about his mouth. Against mine. Pressing inside and hungrily exploring.
Holy hell!
My core tightened, that throbbing I’d tried to ignore amplifying. I pressed my thighs together, my breathing growing ragged.
Beside me, Mars made a small strangled sound, and I watched his hand tighten on the steering wheel. Was he thinking what I was thinking? Picking up on my arousal?
Reflexively, my gaze dropped to his groin. His jeans kept things in check, the hem of his sports shirt partially hiding that generous package, but there was no mistaking the large bulge there.
“Sunshine, I’m pretty sure you don’t want to go there. Yet,” he rumbled, his tone rougher than his usual smooth velvet.
“Where?” I whispered.
“Naked. Horizontal. Fucking. And trust me, it’s my halftime goal and not everything I want with you, but I know tonight’s not the night to go there.”
I sucked in a breath and swung my gaze out the front windshield. Heat burned into my cheeks. He’d totally called me out for being a horny cradle robber.
Mars reached over and grabbed my hand, drawing it onto the console with his and linking our fingers.
“Don’t,” he whispered. “It’s all good. You have no idea how much I’m looking forward to that day. I love the feel of you looking at me…finally. I’m glad to know you want me like I want you.”
Part of me wanted to pretend I had no idea what he was talking about, but knowing Mars, he’d elaborate and call me out some more. Explicitly.
“Where did you say we’re going?” I asked, my voice a little raspy and my attention firmly on the way his large, warm hand engulfed my much smaller one.
I knew he hadn’t told me our destination, and if it was someplace secluded, I was in deep trouble. I’d only wanted to know where he went during the day. And here I was, wallowing in lust for him, even though I totally didn’t date. Not since my ex-husband basically ruined my life. Decimating and derailing me.
Just the thought of Trey splashed ice water over me. He was why I worked as a maid at the Kennedy mansion. It had been an escape, set up by my grandpa, and a refuge from the stranglehold Trey had over me. He’d been abusive and controlling, breaking me and shredding my self-esteem and trust. Ironic that I’d landed in a similar situation when I’d run away, leaving almost everything behind.
And now, I watched my every step, so I didn’t find myself in the wrong place at the wrong time when it came to Mars’ Uncle Niles. He was a monster like my ex. So was Mars’ mother. I easily discerned that Mars was completely different from them, though.
Not my business.
I just cleaned and watched my back.
I hadn’t exactly set out to be a domestic. I’d trained in music, primarily piano, and I’d been damn good at it. I missed it a lot. I missed my baby grand piano and longed to play the one at the Kennedy mansion. To me, it was a travesty that the only time someone touched it was to dust it. No one ever opened the lid and played it, unless it was the man coming to tune it twice a year.
That poor piano reminded me of my existence, unattended with much potential inside that would probably never be unleashed. My talents and social life were dusty from lack of use. Unlike the piano, I was completely out of tune.
And maybe that was why I was in this expensive SUV with Mars, heading to God knew where. I had to break out of that self-imposed prison I’d thrown myself into after making the terrible decision to ever be with Trey.
