Page 33 of Dream Girl Drama

It physically burned to drive her around in this beat-up old thing. She used to have a designated town car and achauffeur, for fuck’s sake. “It’s time for a new one.”

She clicked her seat belt into place. “Only if you want to find me handcuffed to the steering wheel.”

Sig glanced over his shoulder at the parking lot to judge how alone they were. Whether or not anyone was watching. When he found them to be out of everyone’s view, he ducked into the truck, bringing his forehead an inch from Chloe’s and listening to her quick intake of breath. Memorizing the way she closed her eyes, her lashes making spiky patterns on her cheeks. “Are you implying you own a pair of handcuffs, Chloe?”

“Maybe,” she said on an exhale—and he wished he could feel that breath on his entire body. Against his chest, below his waist.Everywhere.

Sig nudged her forehead with his own. “I’m not in the mood to play games after four days without seeing your beautiful face. Give me a better answer.”

He could see his words absorbing into her skin. Couldsensethe intake. “Are you implying I might have cuffs for recreational purposes?”

“Do you?”

“When would I manage to use handcuffs with a man?” She wet her lips, nearly grazing his mouth with her tongue. So close but so far. “I can’t go home with anyone when you always show up at the bar to take me home yourself.”

“I promised to look out for you.”

“You might have taken that responsibility a little too far, don’t you think?”

Sig’s heart paused midbeat. “Do you want me to stop?”

She shook her head rapidly. “No.”

His heart kicked back into gear. God, he wanted to ruin that pink lip gloss. Kiss her until it was smeared all over his mouth, chin, and tongue. “Okay then.”

“Okay then,” she breathed unevenly. “Just so we’re clear.”

Break. Now. Time for a break.

Jaw clenched tight enough to snap, Sig removed himself from Chloe’s space and ducked back out of the truck. He put his hands on his hips and paced in a slow circle, attempting to bring his pulse back to a normal rate. He’d only managed it slightly by the time he got into the driver’s side and fired up the engine.

Being this close with Chloe on a near constant basis was torture at its most pure and he would volunteer for it until the day he died.

No one was going to have the honor of being Chloe’s companion but him.

But how long could they go on like this without giving in?

Sig didn’t have an answer to that. But he knew one thing very well.

He had to figure out a way for them to be together.

There simply wasn’t another option. Chloe ending up with someone else?

Not a fucking chance.

Sig glanced over to double-check that Chloe had put on her seat belt, even though he’d witnessed her engage the buckle, before pulling out onto the road. Traveling in the direction of her apartment.

Finally, he’d composed himself enough to speak. “Back to this mentorship. When did you decide to do it?”

“Well.” She sat up a little taller on the seat. “I’m going to continue at the conservatory, as planned, but my instructors... they say there is nothing else they can teach me.”

Pride rocked into his chest. Not only had she left her life of luxury behind and moved to an entirely new city, but she’d adapted quickly to living alone, commuting, making friends, like Tallulah. Proven herself and thrived at Berklee, exactly as he’d known she would. “Damn, Chlo.”

“Yes. But that implies there is something this mentorcanteach me. Right?”

“Uh-huh. That tracks.” He glanced over to find her looking deep in thought. “You don’t want to find out if there is something you don’t already know?”

“I guess I do,” she hedged. “But it’s been a long time since anyone pushed me, Sig. I’ve always just naturally been a badass on the harp.”

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