Page 105 of Never You

“Your family isn’t going to get pissed?”

I snort, though I appreciate his worry about my family’s opinion on his little casual kidnapping. “Have you ever seen me at a Knights party past midnight? I bail on every party, including my own. I think they’re surprised I stayed for as long as I did.”

Normally, I’d stay an hour, then Kayla and I would go hang out at the riverbank with friends. But considering she ditched me for Bodi within the hour, I was more than happy to oblige when Jensen asked me if I wanted to sneak out with him.

Like two teenagers, we tiptoed out of the kitchen before we ran to the front door, laughing and getting into my car as fast as we could, giggling all the way.

He seems to have that effect on me.

Making me smile more than I’m used to.

Most of my happy thoughts are before the crash, but ever since Jensen barged in, my heart shines more every day. Like a slowly polished gemstone, showing more of its brightness bit by bit.

“Where are we going anyway?” I ask when he takes the interstate that goes to Raleigh.

His lips curl, then he reaches out to grab my hand, before twisting his fingers through mine, placing our hands on his lap as his thumb brushes mine.

There it is again, that infinite flutter. That feeling of bliss I’d like to keep forever.

“Are you hungry?” He kisses my hand, never letting go, and when I nod in agreement, I’m not just hungry for food. My skin pebbles in longing, desperate for him to kiss me everywhere. I’m hungry for him, and right now, I’m wondering if my appetite will ever be satisfied.

“Always.” Lust is written in my eyes as I drag my lip between my teeth.

“Get your head out of the gutter, woman,” he grunts. “I don’t wanna be late.”

“Late for what?”

“You’ll see.”

I narrow my eyes, getting a shit-eating grin in response. “Fine.”

He lifts my hand, pressing a soft kiss against my fingers as we continue to ride in a comfortable silence. The vibration of the car is calming me. The combination of the humming of the engine and Jensen’s skin on mine is a sensation I wish I could bottle. A favorite moment I never want to forget.

“Braedon?” I question, thirty minutes later, when I read the sign on the side of the road. “What’s in Braedon?”

“A friend of mine.”

My eyes widen, and I swallow in surprise.

“We’re going to a friend?” I know he just met my entire family, but for some reason, meeting his friend for dinner seems pretty official.

“He and his wife asked us to come over for dinner,” Jensen explains.

“He and his wife? So, it’s a dinner party?”

“You sound like Bodi. Saying how dinner with a couple is a dinner party.”

“Bodi is right,” I deadpan, though inside a tidal wave of excitement and anxiousness crashes through my state of relaxation.

“Baby, it’s just a friend and dinner, okay. Don’t panic. It’s casual, really.”

When I stay quiet, I glance over at him. My lips are pressed together in a straight face, but really, I’m suppressing a beaming smile, trying to act casual. Deep inside, I’m excited he wants tobring me to meet one of his friends. Maybe it’s not as official as meeting his family, but it certainly is something.

“You good?” There’s worry in his tone. See, it’ssomething.

“I’m good. I’m excited to meet them.”

Relief washes over his face, combined with a sigh. “Okay. Good. That’s good.”

---