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The pressure on my chest eases. “Thanks. I think I needed to hear that.”
She smiles kindly, but her attention drops to my mouth. Instantly, heat swells in my groin. More than appreciation spreads through my sternum. Larkin’s bottom lip is fuller than her top—the kind of plump lip that makes a man feel thirsty.
Suddenly, the pressure of her hand on my thigh becomes unbearably intense.
Neither of us moves. The air seems to thicken with unspoken tension, our chests rising in tandem, until we both lean forward, like we’re magnetized. Drawn toward each other. And the urge to kiss Larkin slams into me. So forcefully, I jerk back and bang my head into my headrest.
“Passport,” she says as she uselessly pats her hair. “I’ll just run in and grab my bag and passport. Then I’ll be out, and you can drive me home.”
“No,” I bark, hating my harsh tone. How unraveled I suddenly feel.
I don’t wait for her reply. Just rev my engine and turn us around.
Ifeel fucking turned around.
I’m in a relationship. I love Jolene. At least, I used to. Maybe still do. And I was a millisecond away from kissing another woman.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Larkin braces her hand against the dash. “What do you mean, no? Why are we leaving?”
“This was a bad idea. You shouldn’t be here. I’ll take you to your mother’s.”
“But I want to get my stuff.”
“And I saidno.” I need Larkin out of my truck. Away from me. Even now, I want to pull over, drag her into my lap, and claim her mouth.
I press my foot on the gas, driving faster than I should.
Larkin’s confusion is palpable, as is her anger as she says, “Stop.”
“I’m taking you home.”
“And I want out.”
“Not until you’re safe.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t feel safe with you anymore, so stop the fucking truck!”
Her words are a punch to my gut.
I instantly pull over, gripping my steering wheel so hard my knuckles whiten. I’m not surprised Larkin is uncomfortable. I’m shaking with barely contained self-hatred. I nearly kissed her a second ago, even though I told her I’m not the type of asshole who’d cheat on his girlfriend. Maybe I’m more like my father than I thought.
I should say something. Apologize, convince Larkin to let me drive her home.
I stare out the windshield andinwardly fume.
“Oh my God,” she suddenly says.
Her tone sounds so shocked, I glance at her. “What?”
Fury burns a blotchy path up her neck. “Did someone dare you to drive me home and hook up with the town slut? Is that what’s going on here? You thought you’d get in my pants but chickened out last minute?”
Hell no, is what I should say. Tell her the truth. I wanted to kiss her a minute ago. I want to devour her now. But I’m on a date with my girlfriend tonight—the only woman I should be devouring. I need to get back to that party. See Jolene. Kissher. Make things right withher.
Feeling ill, I shrug. “Just let me drive you home, okay?”
Larkin’s glassy eyes widen. “I amsuchan idiot.”
