Page 73 of Seeds of Malice

My adrenaline spikes.

He states, "I think it's time for you to experience what it's like to be a Carrington."

My lips twitch. "A Carrington? But I'm a Ford."

He grunts. "Well, if I have my way, you're going to be a Carrington one day."

I tilt my head. "You can't say that. You just met me."

His face falls. "Ivy, I'm a man who knows what I want, and I want you."

Every part of me hopes that's true—that this is my love story. Dax and I will end up together forever, and my father will love him too.

I'm screwed if it's not. If I can't have Dax, who would I ever have that could ever come close?

He pecks me on the lips, straightens up, then shuts the door. He goes around to the other side and slides in. Then he puts his hand between my thighs.

"Where are we going?" I question.

"It's a surprise." He revs the engine, and my pulse picks up. I've always wanted to ride in a fancy car. I never have. There aren't many of them in the small town in West Virginia where I'm from. Most guys have trucks if they're doing well.

Dax zooms through the estate, and I squeal when he goes faster toward the closed gate.

I blurt out, "Dax, the gate!"

"Don't worry, baby girl," he assures, and the gates open just in time for him to fly through.

Endorphins fill my cells. "You're crazy!" I declare, but I'm smiling.

"Is that what you think? I'm crazy?" he asks, putting on a pair of aviator sunglasses.

I giggle.

"I'm crazy but not sexy?" he teases.

My face heats. I admit, "You're both. Are you an adrenaline junkie?"

He shrugs, speeding up even more and veering left on a curve. "You could say that."

"Aren't you scared that you'll get hurt doing something like that?"

He plants his gaze on me. "Are you back to being a prude, Ivy?"

My heart sinks. "I'm not a prude," I mumble and then fidget with my fingers in my lap. The last thing I want is for him or anyone around here to think that. Sure, I may be inexperienced, but it's not that I think bad about having fun or sex.

Maybe I am a prude.

I'm not.

But maybe I am.

"I was just teasing," Dax states, grabbing my hand and kissing it. He adds, "Come on, my little whore. Don't look so down."

"Ha ha, funny."

"Just sit back and relax. I assure you we're going to have an amazing day."

Once again, happiness surges through me.

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