Page 84 of These Wicked Desires

“I know nothing about … any of this. Remodeling, running a business, finances.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll help you with all of it. In fact, I also bought the space next door.” He looks to Allie with a small smile. “And I could use your help with that.”

“Mine?” she screeches. “What for?”

“I’m going to open a clinic for humans. Give them an opportunity to get the same healthcare magicals have.”

My eyes burn. They weren’t kidding when they said they were going to help me fight for equality. I throw my hands around Cade’s neck and hug him, hard. “Thank you,” I breathe. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome, love.”

“What are you doing?” I ask, looking around as Cade pulls the Hummer to the side of the road.

He says nothing, but he gets out of the car and walks to my side, opening the door and pulling me out. When I’m standing outside, bewildered and confused, he hops into the passenger seat and buckles the seatbelt.

“Umm …” I look around again, thinking I’ll spot Kai and Sterling somewhere, but it’s just us. “Cade?”

“Get in,” he says, nodding at the empty driver's seat. “You’re driving us home.”

My eyes pop out of my head and I stare at him. “Oh no. No. No. No. I don’t know how to drive!”

“That’s why it’s time you learned. The drive back is relatively simple. We’re out of the city, so it’s mostly two-lane highway until we get to the mountains. Easy peasy.”

“Cade!”

He checks his watch and looks back at me. “Time is ticking, love.”

Huffing, I walk around the Hummer and climb into the driver's seat. My palms are sweating, and I wipe them on my thighs before gripping the wheel in a white knuckled grasp. “Okay. Now what?” I ignore how my voice is trembling. I faced my abuser and ended his miserable life. Driving a car has got to be easier. I can do this!

Cade walks me through the steps, and before I’m ready for it, the car inches forward. Panicked, I slam my foot on the brake pedal, making us both jerk forward in our seats.

“Okay, that was a little uncalled for,” he says, wincing. “We were only going like two miles per hour.”

I make a noise, something between a squeak and growl, and I really have no idea what I’m trying to convey with it. My heart is fluttering rapid fire in my chest, and sweat drips down my back and between my breasts, making me sticky and gross.

“Take a deep breath, and try again,” Cade says calmly. “You’re a fucking harpy for fuck’s sake. You can learn to drive.”

“Right,” I mutter. “I’m a harpy. I can do this. I’m a harpy. I can do this.” I keep up my mantra and ease off the brake, sucking in a breath as the Hummer starts to roll forward.

“Don’t stop again,” Cade says. “Keep going.”

I move to the gas pedal and softly press on it. The car shoots forward, and I scream, removing my foot from the pedal. I don’t brake, but I let the car roll slowly before I try again.

By the time we reach the bottom of the mountain, I’m pretty sure Cade regrets his decision to teach me how to drive. He’s grasping the oh shit handle hard enough to break it off if he were Kai or Sterling. And his eyes are probably permanently stuck wide open in fear.

“Okay, stop here. I’m not about to let you drive up the mountain without a road.” He waits until I put the car in park before he lets go and unbuckles himself.

I wait until he comes around the driver's side and opens the door. Giving him a look of pure defeat, I slowly slide out.

“Hey, you did good for your first time.” He presses me against the side of the Hummer and kisses me.

“But you never want to let me try again, right?”

“Of course I will, Ellis. Everyone has to start somewhere. I think it’s probably harder to learn the older you are. You’re not as fearless as you are when you’re a teenager. You value your life too much to not be afraid of driving.”

I duck my head and bury my face in his chest, inhaling his cedar and lilac scent. “What if I never learn?”

He shrugs. “Then we’ll drive you around. But I don’t think that’s going to happen. Come on. I’m pretty sure Kai is still sleeping and Sterling is probably still out for a run. We can play a game when we get back.”

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