Page 163 of Forbidden Lessons

His hands tighten on the top of the car door as he looks away to chuckle. “Christ, I just keep fucking this up.”

This. That word releases a frantic butterfly into my guts.

After he’d just gone to lengths to tell me I’m imaginingthis.

“As you’rewellaware, I don’t own any pretty dresses.”

The smile fades from his lips as they tighten into a line. He looks at me from the corner of his eye, his fingers still white where he’s gripping the door.

“Should I just have tossed your trash bags in the back of my Land Rover and not given it a second thought?”

“Yeah. Maybe.” I meant to be more vehement about it, but he took the fucking wind out of my sails by being so damn psychic.

“Well, tough shit. I did you a favor instead. Deal with it.”

“You’re mean.”

“And you’re childish, but I guess we’ll just have to accept each other as we are.” He laughs at my expression. “Close your mouth before you catch a fly.”

“That’s it. I’m leaving.” I reach for the door’s handle, but Bastian captures my wrist, refusing to let go even when I tug.

“Not yet. We have an errand to run.”

“I have to go.” I still have two hours before my shift starts, but I can spend the time studying.

“Nope. You’re coming with me, missy. We’re going to see a man about a dog.”

“What does that even mean?” I whine as he half drags me out of the car. He shuts the door, wrestles the keys out of my hand, and locks it.

Then shoves them in his pocket.

“Hey!”

He lets go of my hand, urging me toward his Tesla with his fingers pressed to the small of my back.

Thunder rumbles, and it has the audacity to be ominous about it.

I could have dug in my heels. I might have lost a flip-flop, but at least I’d have won the battle.

But I don’t fight, because I enjoy spending time with him, even when we’re arguing and I’m so frustrated I want to slap him. And because it’s obvious he likes being with me too, even though I keep challenging him at every turn.

What does that say about me?

What does that say about him?

Chapter 47

Haven

“This definitely feels like a kidnapping.” We left Agony Hollow behind half an hour ago. The sky’s only grown darker since, but we pass through a few shafts of angelic light on our way out of town. I like to think it means there’s a possibility I’m not ending up hacked to pieces in a shallow grave somewhere.

I should be freaking the fuck out, but honestly, I’m hoping Professor Rooke will just keep driving until we hit a coastline.

I’ve never been to the beach.

Me and Kai planned to live there after we got married. But we also said we were going to have thirteen children, and that sure as shit isn’t happening.

He’d have to actually put his dick in me for that to happen, not just rub up on me like he did last night.

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