Page 76 of Never You

The image of Rae waking up in my bed on a regular day flashes through my mind as quickly as it's gone, and I frown in confusion.

“What is it?” she asks, noticing the change on my face.

Quickly, a smile forms on my lips while my thumb moves up and down her jaw. I don’t know what this girl is doing to me, butI do know it’s something I haven’t felt before. Like every time I look into her eyes, I’m craving for more. Desperate to feel her next to me. To hear her piss me off with her snarky comments, or make me laugh when she rolls her eyes at me.

“Nothing. Good morning, baby.”

“Good morning.” She beams.

22

If anyone told me last week that I’d be driving across the country with Jared James Jensen and I’d enjoy myself, I’d tell them they must have bumped their head with a rock. Because there is no way Jensen and I would be able to be in the same room for longer than five minutes without killing each other, let alone share a car for eight hours a day.

But here we are.

I’m staring out of the window, humming along to the radio with my feet on the dash, secretly stealing glances at Jensen. He’s wearing a light gray t-shirt that's bringing out every line of his muscles, his tattoos staring at me from under his short sleeves, with some light washed jeans he bought in Memphis yesterday. His sunglasses sit on his nose, giving him that bad boy look that makes him breathtaking.

He looks amazing.

Last night was incredible.

This morning was wonderful.

Part of me thought it would be awkward with Bodi leaving, no longer working as the middleman whenever Jensen and I wouldhave a go at each other. But in reality, that awkward feeling was quickly replaced by comfort the second Bodi got out of the car.

“That was your sister, right? On the phone this morning?” I turn my head.

He’s leaning into the door, his head resting on his hand while he holds the wheel with the other.

I’m not sure if he’s holding back, but he hasn’t been driving like a madman like I expected him to do. Instead, he’s driving as comfortably as I feel. Cruising over the highway without a care in the world. Like we don’t have a destination and this trip doesn’t have an end date that’s creeping closer every minute.

I wish it was the truth.

“You mean when you were distracting me.”

“You didn’t complain.” I shrug.

“I don’t think I can ever complain when you put your hands on me.” A smirk lifts his lips, and I can feel his eyes burning through my body from under his sunglasses.

“Keep your eyes on the road,hockey boy.” I chuckle, averting my gaze to tame the butterflies in my stomach.

“Della told me to do whatever I want,” he tells me, after a while. “With Emily.”

I let his words sink in, having no clue what he wants. Seeing him lighthearted like he’s been the last couple of days has really showed me that Jensen mostly does what is expected, and rarely does whathewants.

Part of me wishes he wants me, because I’m quickly getting addicted to the feeling he’s been giving me. But also, my pros and cons list pops into my head again, shoving the ridiculous thought of me and him to the back of my mind.

“What is it you want, Jared James Jensen?” My voice is composed with a teasing tone as I look at him.

He holds my gaze, and it intensifies within a second, leaving me unprepared for the answer coming from his mouth.

“Right now?” he huffs. “You.”

I swallow hard, shocked by his bluntness. My eyes bulge out of my head, and at this point, I’m glad I’m wearing sunglasses that are functioning as a shield. My heart rate speeds up. He keeps moving his head back and forth between me, and the road, searching my face while goosebumps trickle my body.

“Like,” he starts when I’m lost for words, “I don’t know what the fuck we are doing. Or what’s gonna happen next week, or even when we get to Jacksonville, but right now, I want you.” He rubs the back of his neck. “Right now, I want to enjoy whatever the fuck we have going on whenever you’re not pissing me the fuck off.”

I snort, returning to my defiant self, trying to lighten the mood. “You mean when you piss me off.”

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