Page 93 of Worth Every Game
Jack starts to laugh, his sexy smile exposing dazzling white teeth.
“What?” I gasp. “Why are you laughing? Is this a joke? Are you joking? Please say you’re joking.”
“It’s not a joke.” He points to where the staff are opening the glass doors so I can drive the car out of the showroom. “Let’s get out of here.”
“No. No way. I could buy a flat with this car. A house. I could move to the countryside and retire for the rest of my life. It’s insane to spend this much on a vehicle.Insane. I can’t let you do this.”
He chortles. “Youcan’t let me do this? You’re the reason I’m here.” He slaps the dashboard. “Let’s go.”
Oh, my God, what have I done?I’m an idiot. “Shit. No. No, no…” I open the door and stumble backwards out of the car.
I’m freaking out. My hands are flapping like I can shake out the adrenaline.This is crazy.
Jack gets out of the car, looking wary now rather than amused. He approaches me with his arms outstretched, as though I’m a cornered animal liable to run. “Give me the keys. I’ll drive.” His voice rings with a decisive authority, but I’m too spun out to appreciate it.
“No, no, no…”
All eyes are on us. We’re a spectacle, and being watched makes my panic rise further. Jack, on the other hand, looks totally calm. He holds eye contact, grounding me, and my heart rate slows. He takes a cautious step closer and clasps my hands in his, stilling their motion. His touch is so warm.Safe. “Money aside, do you like the car?” he whispers.
I screw my eyes shut, feeling him tease the keys from my grip. I let him take them.
“El, do you like the car?” he repeats.
How does he make the question sound both seductive and calming? My resistance disintegrates. I suck in a breath, and on the exhale admit, “Yes. I love the car.”
“Then it's yours. I want to give you everything, El.” He pulls me into his embrace, holding me tight against him. I’m in acloud of his scent, his body heat, the soft fabric of his suit, and the tension slides off me. But, wait…
“You smell different,” I state.
“It’s Nico’s suit,” he says, his voice rumbling against me.
“Oh.”That’s my fault. “Sorry.”
He squeezes me tighter, acknowledging my apology, and whispers into my hair, “I'm sorry too. Let me drive you home.”
I let him guide me back to the car, and he opens the passenger door to help me inside. He leans across me to buckle me in as I sit in a daze, overwhelmed by his sudden proximity. One night apart, and I missed him so,somuch.
I want to pull him against me, kiss him, maybe even force his head between my legs, but he’s gone again before I’ve collected my thoughts.
He gets into the driver’s seat and starts the engine, which revs like nothing I’ve ever heard. I slam my hands over my ears. “Shit.”
Jack side-eyes me, breaking out into another one of those breathtaking smiles. And then he drives the ridiculous orange Lamborghini off the forecourt.
“I fucking hate orange,” he mutters, glancing across at me. “But I love you.”
33
ELLY
I’m ecstatic. Floating. Buckled into an orange car.
I watch Jack drive for a few moments, relishing the concentration that washes over his handsome features as he focuses on the road. He looks huge in this car, and we’re so low to the ground.
He loves me.
I want to say it back. Want to scream it.I love you.I love you. I love you. Instead, I say, “You’re crazy.”
He smiles, keeping his eyes on the road. “Nothing says I’m sorry like a Lamborghini, right?”