Page 64 of Truck Me

“I’m not upset.”

She tilts her head to the side and gives me a don’t-lie-to-me stare. I growl again before I spin around and continue walking toward my truck.

“Garret, don’t be like this.” She rushes ahead of me and blocks my hand before I reach my door handle. How she moved that fast in those shoes is beyond me. “Please. Talk to me.”

“Charlotte,” I say in warning. “I can’t do this.”

She lifts her chin, giving me a determined stare. Her heels add a lot to her height, but I still tower over her. “Can’t do what?”

“This! You and me. It’s too much.”

“There’s nothing going on between Tanner and me. That was just him being, well … Tanner.”

I step closer to her, my nostrils flaring, and I box her in. “Don’t care. I didn’t like it.”

“Why?” she asks, her chest rising and falling rapidly as if she’s struggling to breathe.

“Charlotte,” I whisper as I drop my forehead to hers.

“Why do you call me that?”

“It’s your name.”

“But everyone calls me Char. Always have. Except for you.”

“I like Charlotte. Is that okay?”

“Yes.” Her hands slide up my arms and slip around my neck. My lips are so close to hers. It wouldn’t take much to claim her mouth with mine.

“Why did you stop bringing me food?”

Her head jerks back, and she looks up at me in confusion. “What?”

“You stopped bringing me food. Why?”

“I … I didn’t think you cared.”

“I do. Not that I expect you to cook for me. But I like it. And I like that you seemed to do it because you cared.”

She nods. “Then I’ll start doing it again.”

“I’d like that. Not that I only want you for food, I like the food, but I also—”

“Garret.” She cuts me off. “Will you shut up and kiss me already? I really need to feel your—”

I don’t let her finish before my mouth covers hers in a deep passionate kiss. I don’t wait for her to part her lips to let me in. I plunge my tongue into her mouth and take her like she’s mine. Like the way I want to make her mine.

I engulf her, and she melts into me like her body was made to fit against me. She kisses me back with the same fervor I kiss her. It’s hot and wet and leaves me feeling breathless.

When I pull away, we’re both panting. My body is on fire with my need to have her. I don’t even feel the cold temperatures anymore.

“My place. Now.” I bark out. It’s not a question. I want her and don’t intend to leave any room for interpretation.

She nods. “I drove my parents’ car. I can’t leave it here.”

“Follow me.”

“Okay.”