Page 13 of Redemption

Axel

I rest my arm againstthe top of the bench seat and let my fingers hang near her shoulder. She hasn’t so much as spoken a word to me since our kiss, but I bet both my nuts that’s she’s been unable to think of anything else since we started driving several hours ago.

My thumb traces along my bottom lip at the same time my knee bounces against the leather as I shift to the side. Sitting still is not the easiest thing for me to do, let alone after touching her. It’s been on replay in my head too, but so has something else. Something that may undo whatever progress I made back at the motel this morning. I have to proceed with caution when it comes to her. One wrong move and she’ll scratch my eyes out, but I need more information if I’m going to find those ass fucks that torched Willie Mae and shot at my woman.

We’ve stopped for food and gas a few times, but otherwise kept on driving. It’s taking us a bit longer since we’re sticking to side roads the rest of the way home in order to avoid being followed.

Zane’s been eyeing my ass through the mirror the whole way waiting for me to ask Kelsey shit, but lucky enough for me night has fallen and I can’t see his ugly face anymore. It also means time is running out because the first thing Asher’s going to do is ride my ass about it when we get home.

A warm hand squeezing my knee pulls me out of my thoughts. “Can you stop doing that? You’re shaking the whole damn seat and I’m about to get car sick.”

My body stills and I force myself to relax. “Sorry.”

She lets out a heavy sigh a few seconds later. “Out with it already.”

“Out with what?” I widen my eyes and give her my best puppy stare. It’s gotten me laid more times than I can count, but I should have known it wouldn’t work on her. None of my usual shit does. She’s different. And that’s what makes her so fucking special.

“Cut the bullshit. You’re rubbing your bottom lip with your thumb and you only do that when you’re nervous or lying about something.” She arches an auburn eyebrow at me and holds my stare.

“Fine. I need to ask you something, Wildcat. Something personal and you aren’t gonna like it.” I turn the interior light on and face her head on. If we’re doing this now, we’re doing it in the light where I can see every reaction that flashes across her face and brace for what’s about to come. It’s like playing with a stick of dynamite and I guess I’ve just lit the fucker up. We’ll see how badly this explodes in my face.

She crosses her arms over her chest as she sits up taller in her seat. Every inch of her is screaming “fight or flight” mode and I wish I had a better way to do this, but I’m pressed for time and shit out of luck. “What kind of questions?”

“About your dad.” I pronounce each word slow and careful, like I’m talking to a wild tigress. And in a way I kind of am.

“Okay.” Her eyebrows pinch together as she waits for me to get to the point.

“Do you know any of his business associates or anyone who would want to use you to get to him?”

Her mouth opens and closes a few times, like a fish gasping for air. I brace for impact. And I get one, just not the one I was expecting. “Wow. You’re even better than the last time. I can’t believe I fell for your bullshit, again!” Her tiny fist punches against the leather as she spins to face me head on.

I jerk back against my seat as her words register and hold up a finger. “Hold the fuck on. You think what happened back in the motel was to get info out of you?”

“Wouldn’t be the first time you’ve used me for information.”

My jaw clenches as I press my fingers against the bridge of my nose and take in a few slow deep breathes. If I don’t I’m going to end up leaving a handprint on her ass. “I’ll tell you this one last time. Anything I do to you or with you, is all me, Wildcat. The only game I’m playing this time is for keeps.”

“Bullshit. I’m not falling for it again.” A vein pulses on the side of her neck, matching my own throbbing heart beat.

We’re so locked in our argument that I miss Zane pulling off the freeway, something that’s never happened to me before. The truck slows to a stop and I pull away from her glare to take in our new surroundings. We’re in a packed dirt parking lot of a bar that looks like it’s seen better days and has several rows of Harley Davidsons parked up front.

Kelsey’s blue eyes widen, taking in our new surroundings as well. “Where are we?”

“Alabama.” Zane runs his hand through the lump of hair on top of his head. One of these days he’s going to wake and find that Asher shaved his fucking head.

“Where at in Alabama?”

“Fort Payne.” His clipped answers are grating on her last nerve, but I sit back and enjoy the fact he’s the one in the line of fire this time and not me.

“Why are we stopping?” Kelsey asks, but Zane turns his head and shoots me a look through the rearview mirror that would have any other person pissing themselves then shifts his attention to Kelsey.

“Because it’s getting late and I’m starving. Plus, it looks like you two could use a time out.” Without another word, he hops out of the truck and heads straight for the bar. The door slams, leaving us in strained silence.

Kelsey shakes her head and presses her hands tighter against her chest, drawing my eyes straight to her luscious tits that are straining to break free from her tank top. My throat goes dry and my fingers itch with the need to feel the soft flesh fitting between my palms once again. The zipper of my jeans becomes increasingly tight the longer I stare. I cough into my hand as a distraction, otherwise I’m going to have her for my last meal of the day instead and while I’m okay with that plan, she’d probably break my nose for even suggesting it.

She catches me staring and adjusts the thin fabric, but it doesn’t do shit except give me a flash of her matching bra underneath. “It’s a bit smaller than I normally wear.”

“I know.” My lips spread into a wide grin as I grab her by the hand and slide her out of the truck before she can ream my ass. The movement is so fast she doesn’t have time to argue until I have her standing upright on the gravel. If looks could kill she’d have shot me dead several times already.

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