Page 57 of Above All Else

“But if you cum in my bed or take liberties with me again, that’s it.”

“Not promising that.”

“Then pull over.” I cast him a glare, and he returned with a brightness in his eyes I hadn’t seen since he appeared in my room.

“Too late, you already gave me your answer.”

“Carter. I’m not playing around.”

His features darkened and filled with lust. “Neither am I.”

“Argh. You’re incorrigible.“ I tossed my hair over my shoulder and looked out the window—the shining steel arch behind us.

Great.

“Why don’t you take a nap? It’ll make the trip go quicker.”

“For you or me?”

“Stop being so difficult.” His hand touched my thigh. “I always appreciate your company.”

I winced. Guilt flying through my chest like buzzards to roadkill.

Why did he have to say things like that?

Can’t he make it easier for me to hate him?

“Can Iborrow your phone?”

“Why?”

I raised a brow and cocked my head to the side. “Am I your captive?”

“You know you’re not.”

“Then can I have your phone? I want to make a phone call.”

He sighed, pointed his gaze to the road as he dug into his pocket, and handed me the small rectangle. “You need my thumbprint.”

I swiped over, and the screen lit up. Pointing the phone toward him, I grabbed his hand and used his thumb like in spy movies, only this appendage was still attached, and the owner was still alive. The lock slid upward, leaving his screen visible with everything he had on the main screen.

Calendar.

Google Maps.

Text messages.

Green phone...

I pressed the phone button and punched in my mother’s number while Carter eyed me from his periphery.

“Hello?” My mother’s cheery voice sent a wave of emotions attacking my nervous system, my eyes burning on cue.

“Mom? It’s me.”

“Junie. Where have you been? I’ve been calling your phone. Whose number is this?”

I blinked back the tears and sucked in a breath, crossing my arm over my chest and tightening.