Chapter 10 #2
“Yeah. Just getting a little stiff.” Well, the stiff part was true.
I just wasn’t going to tell her it was my dick that was stiff all because she’d pulled out some fucking popcorn and candy.
Before I knew what was happening, she unbuckled and scooted closer, and her hand slipped between the seat and my back.
I nearly jerked off the road when her hands pressed against my lower back.
“Jesus, Presley. Get fucking buckled,” I hissed.
“Stop being a stubborn ass and let me help you. I’m the one who got you into this mess. Let me try to give you some relief.”
She didn’t have a fucking clue how badly I wanted to be relieved.
“Presley.” My voice was firm, and there was no sign of humor.
“Yes?” she asked, as her fingers worked into my lower back, and damn, did it feel good, aside from the fact that my erection would require medical attention if she didn’t move the fuck away from me.
“I need you to slide over and buckle yourself into your seat,” I hissed. “Now.”
“I’m sorry. I thought it would help.” I didn’t miss the hurt in her voice.
She buckled herself back up and set the bag of popcorn and Hot Tamales beside me before turning her head to stare out the window.
“It wasn’t that it didn’t help. It’s not a you thing. It’s a me thing.”
“Oh, don’t offend me with the, it’s not you, it’s me speech. It’s clearly me. You’ve been cold to me since that day at the barn. You’re so freaking hot and cold you’re going to give me whiplash.” Now she was shouting. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one who was all over the place.
“How exactly can’t you keep up? I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Well, let’s see. You gave me a ride home the first night and acted perfectly pleasant.
Well, as pleasant as you are capable of being.
And then, Wes came to town, and you threatened to fight him.
You wanted to take me home that night because you didn’t trust him.
Then you came to the barn and couldn’t stand the sight of me.
You agreed to come on the trip, but you barely looked at me when I got to the school.
You are all over the fucking place, Cage Reynolds. ”
There she is.
Full of life and fury.
I looked up to see the gas station and the motel a hundred feet ahead. Thank fucking God. I was starting to panic that we’d missed it because there was hardly any visibility at this point.
I pulled in, and Presley fell back in a fit of laughter as she looked at the huge sign lit up in red lights.
DIE.
“Who’s all over the place now?” I asked, throwing the truck in park.
“Did you seriously pull into a motel next to a gas station with a red, murderous sign that says die?”
“It’s supposed to say diesel. Clearly, the last three letters burned out.” I’d admit it was a little creepy that the snow was falling so hard it was a complete whiteout, aside from the red letters of death that lit up the sky.
I wasn’t ready to have the conversation she was trying to have. I had been hot and cold with her. Worried about her ex hurting her one minute and not wanting to get too close the next.
It was fucked up.
I was fucked up.
But right now, we needed to find a place to sleep for a few hours and stay warm until this storm died down.
I turned off the ignition. “Let’s bring the food. I doubt this place has room service.”
“You think? The welcome sign at the neighboring gas station looks like the entrance to hell. I doubt we’re getting a burger and fries here.”
“Lose the attitude. We’re alive. It’s a win,” I snapped at her and reached over the seat to get my coat before grabbing the ziplock baggy and tossing it into the shopping bag. I watched as she zipped her tall boots on her feet over her jeans before she leaned forward to pull her dress coat on.
Not the wisest clothing options for the blizzard from hell.
She pushed her door open, and I jumped out, as well. My legs and back were stiff, but at least my dick had calmed his ass down.
“I knew you blamed me for bringing you on this trip!” she yelled as she slung her purse over her shoulder and held onto the side of the truck.
“Yeah, you’re probably wishing you wore better footwear about now, huh?”
“You just can’t wait to stick it to me, can you?” she snipped as she let go of the truck and stomped toward the motel. We’d parked fifty feet away because we had the trailer on the back, and I didn’t want to block anyone in.
“Slow down. It’s pure ice.”
“I’m fine! I live in New York!” She turned around, anger radiating from her hot little body, and it all happened in slow motion. Her purse flew from her shoulder as her legs went up in the air, and she came straight down on her back, landing on the snow-covered parking lot.
Fuck.
I hurried over to help her up and reached for her hand, but of course, her stubborn ass refused the help.
“I don’t need your help,” she said, and her voice wobbled.
“Take my goddamn hand.”
I attempted to set the bag down, blinking as the snow soaked us both, making it difficult to see anything other than her.
I tugged hard as I pulled her to her feet, just as my boot lost traction, and I went backward, with Presley falling forward.
Her body was limp as she landed completely on top of me, and hysterical laughter left her lips.
And just like that, my legs and back weren’t the only things that were stiff.