Page 42 of Perfect

Once free, I hit him on the chest but it was like slapping a stone, he didn’t move a muscle. Just stood there like a tower of rock,glaringdown at me.

“What the hellConnor, are you mad? You know what forget that, ofcourse,you are, you’recompletely insane!” I practically snarled. The level of rage pounding in my veins was alien to me.

He pinned me with an unimpressed look and leaned behind me toyankopen the door.

“Get in,” he instructed harshly with a flick of his head. Heat fizzed through me and a strange giddy sensation vibrated through my limbs. He was so bossy and I felt a jet of excitement in my lower body.

I didn’t jump to it as he expected me to and I folded my arms across my chest and eyed him moodily. He’d just literally dragged me from the party, my face must have been like a beetroot.

“Do it,Harlow. Don’t make me put you in there, Iwon’tbe gentle about it.”

His stern threat turned my anger into something else. Molten-hot desire flooded my insides.

I batted down my impressive stubborn streak and moved to do as he’d commanded. I certainly didn’t want to be wrestled into the car with half of the house watching. I could see people at the windows, holding the curtains back, clearly enjoying the show. We’d probably be the talk of the village. Great.

My knees suddenly felt quite weak.

As I awkwardly clambered up into the cab of the car, Connor slammed the door and circled the Ranger, his eyes never leaving mine through the windscreen.

He joined me and moodily started the engine, his shoulders jerking as he jammed the gear stick backward. The Ranger revved and jolted and Connor placed his arm around the back of my seat as he reversed.

“I can’t believe you caused such a scene,” I bit out between clenched teeth.

He didn’t like that and literally yelled back at me.

“Youcaused the scene byfucking being there! Itoldyou not to go.”

As the vehicle lurched, I saw Tom standing in the doorway, his face unreadable in the shadows. Part of me wanted to cry and the other part to laugh which was a strange combination I know. The emotions I was experiencing were off the chart. I wasn’t totally stupid. I knew the booze and excitement were to blame.

Connor slammed the car into gear and we shot forward.

I placed the flat of my hand against the dashboard to steady myself. He was driving like a maniac.

He shot Tom a heavy scowl as we shot past him. “He’s got balls bringing you here, I’ll give him that.”

Connor was breathing heavily, obviously struggling to get his temper under control and I remained silent until we pulled out onto the main road.

“What the hell was that about? Tom and Iliterallyarrived an hour ago and we weren’t staying,” I defended, partly annoyed that he’d come to fetch me and partly relieved that he had.

There appeared to be serious things going on with my body as we sat there. We were so close and I had the urge to feel his strong thigh through his jeans against my fingers.

He shot me a look whilst negotiating the car around what appeared to be an abandoned vehicle.

It was dark outside and there were no streetlights. The light of the moon danced shadows across his face and I saw his jaw was set at a determined angle.

“An hour is long enough,” he replied, his voice much calmer now, but still gruff.

I wrinkled my nose. “For what? What the hell are you talking about?”

Connor swore and the vehicle lurched, his eyes snapping back at me.

“You need to slow down,” I panted as the car swerved. This encouraged a look of scorn.

“I think you can save the lecture about my driving.”

“I just think you need to calm down,” I said in a small voice.

He exhaled noisily. “I can’t decide whether you’re just extremely reckless or incredibly naïve. You don’t know these people and obviously have no fucking idea about village mentality.”

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