Page 56 of Above All Else
“Clearly.”
I settled onto the floor where she’d put me like a dog, tucked my hands behind my head with a grin on my face, and let my muscles sink into the unforgiving, stain-ridden floor. “Sweet dreams, dollface.”
Chapter 15
June
“Are you still not talking to me?”
I crossed my arms and looked out the window, the city of St. Louis flooding my field of vision with the towering arch.
What’s inside of that thing?
“Look, it was dumb and childish. I shouldn’t have done it.”
I turned and glared. “It seems you’re having to apologize a lot lately. Maybe you should just stay on your side of the car, and I’ll stay here.”
“And when we get to the nexthotel?”
“We’ll be in separate rooms.”
“I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
I snorted. “As if you have a choice. I’ll make a scene, and you’ll be arrested for kidnapping, and then I go on my merry way.”
“Is that what you think I’m doing here?” He frowned. “You’re free to go at any time.” His palm shot out in front of him. “I’ll pull off at the next gas station and let you walk back from here.”
“Charming, Carter.”
He shrugged. “Want money to get back? I’ll buy you a bus ticket.” He checked his blind spot and moved over one lane closer to the exit.
My heart hitched in my chest, and a disturbing sickness sank in my belly.
“Not sure what you’ll find when you get back there, though.”
My brows pulled together, sending him a menacing glare. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, your house is a crime scene. We’ll see if they let you go in or if they send the cleaning crews.”
“Yeah. Thanks to you.”
“I mean, we’ve been over this, but if you want to hash it out again...” he wrapped his fist around the steering wheel, “I’m sorry.” He checked his blind spot and took another lane. “So what’ll it be?”
My heart ramped up, and my stomach twisted.
I wanted to go home.
But I want him.
Despite what he’s done?
Dammit.
“Well?”
I sighed and looked out the window. “I’ll stay.”
Carter growled, a deep, primal embodiment of power. “I hoped you’d say that.”