Page 6 of The Love Penalty
So why is my heart hammering in my chest? Why does my tongue feel thick and wet as I watch him doing this inane, simple task?
Clenching my jaw, I force myself to look away, but it only takes moments for my eyes to track back to him. He jiggles the nozzle, then returns it to the pump, dusting his hands on the back of his jeans before striding around the front of the truck.
Crap, even his walk is beautiful.
No, it’s not! Stop it!
I’m so riled by my attraction that when he slips back into the truck, I stupidly let out a growl.
He frowns, turning to look at me. “What’s your problem now?”
His snippy tone actually helps, and I rise to it with relish. “Nothing. Would you just drive already? Stop messing around.”
He rolls his eyes. “Whatever you say, Your Highness.”
“I am not—” I growl again, a throaty one that actually makes him snicker. “Oh, shut up. I just want to get back, so start the engine and let’s go.”
“You’re grumpier than you were when we started.”
“Yeah, well, I’m having to travel back to Nolan with you, so if that’s not enough to make me grumpy, I don’t know what is.”
He pauses before starting the engine, and I suddenly hate myself for being so bitchy.
Spinning yet again, he gives me the driest glare I’ve ever seen and mutters, “Do you want me to kick you out of this truck? Is that what you’re trying to achieve here? You want me to leave your ass stranded at a gas station?”
I narrow my glare even more and seethe, “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Really? You want to try me?” His grumpy scowl nearly makes me laugh for a second.
I don’t even know why, but I’m suddenly fighting this ridiculous giggle. My belly shudders with it as I bite my lips together and battle this stupid smile that’s trying to form.
“Just drive,” I finally manage.
“You know what your problem is?”
“Here we go,” I mutter.
“I think you’re hangry. I’m trying to remember if you ate anything for lunch, but I think you were too stressed about trying to get back to Nolan, and now your blood sugar is low and your inner beast is coming out to play. Unfortunately, for the nice guy who’s offered to drive you back a day early”—he points at himself—“he’s having to suffer your?—”
“Okay, fine, I’m hungry!” Now that he’s suggested it, I realize that I kind of am.
I only nibbled at lunch because I was stressed trying to figure out how I was going to tell everyone that I needed to leave. I knew it would disappoint people, and I didn’t want to hurt Caroline’s feelings. But I couldn’t stay. I need my room. Solitude. Safety.
Which is why I’m desperate to get back, but… you know, maybe I’m also desperate for some steak fries and a meaty burger.
“I knew it.” Asher grins. With a laugh that’s annoyingly triumphant, he spins and finally starts the engine. “I know a great place that’s just off the next exit. Can you last ten minutes, or do I need to grab gas station snacks first?”
“I can last ten minutes,” I grit out.
“Excellent.” He checks over his shoulder before pulling away from the pump and joining the flow of traffic. “And don’t worry, by the way. I turn full-blown Hulk if I don’t get fed regularly, so… you know.” He grins into the rearview mirror, and it’s impossibly hard not to smile back.
My lips start to rise, but I catch them before any teeth can show.
Crap. He’s not allowed to be charming!
He’s Asher Irritating Bensen.
No, wait, I can do better than that.