Page 82 of Misconducts & Temptation

"Okay, babes," I said, my voice calm and steady. "Now, keep your foot steady on the gas. Don’t slam it down. Just a gentle press."

She nodded, biting her lip in concentration. The car moved a bit smoother now, gaining speed without jerking forward.

"Good," I continued. "Now turn the wheel slightly to the right. We’re going to circle around again."

She did as instructed, her movements becoming more fluid. I could still see the tension in her shoulders, though—every muscle coiled tight like a spring ready to snap.

"Ease up a bit," I told her. "You’re doing fine."

She took another deep breath and loosened her grip slightly. The car responded better, gliding over the asphalt like it was meant to.

"That’s it," I said with a hint of pride in my voice. "You’ve got this."

Despite her visible progress, I could sense the anxiety bubbling just beneath the surface. I reached out and placed a hand on her thigh, hoping to offer some reassurance.

Her reaction surprised me. The moment my hand made contact, she visibly relaxed. Her shoulders dropped, and her grip on the wheel eased even further. She trusted me—something that no one else ever had.

Not even Lola at the height of our relationship had looked at me with such faith in their eyes.

But this girl? Elodie?

It boggled my mind. Why did she trust me? Lord knows I didn't deserve it. I'd spent most of my life pushing people away, convinced they’d only let me down or use me.

"You're doing great," I murmured, my thumb gently stroking her thigh.

She shot me a quick glance and smiled—a small, hesitant smile that tugged at something deep inside me.

Driving home was a mixture of tension and unexpected pride. Elodie gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white, but she kept the car steady, her focus intense. I watched her from the passenger seat, my hand resting on her thigh, giving her the confidence she needed. She was doing better than I expected, considering she’d never driven anything before.

Her eyes flicked to mine briefly before returning to the road. “Thanks,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the engine’s purr.

As we neared a busy intersection, a car behind us honked impatiently. Elodie jumped, nearly swerving off the road.

“Don’t listen to that asshole,” I said sharply. “Just keep going.”

She nodded, taking a deep breath and steadying herself. The honking continued for a few seconds before the car sped past us, its driver flipping us off through the window.

“See? Just an asshole,” I muttered, watching as Elodie’s grip on the wheel tightened again.

We continued down the road until we finally turned onto my street. Relief washed over me as we pulled into the driveway, but it quickly turned into irritation when I saw a sleek black Jaguar parked there.

“Fucking hell,” I groused under my breath.

“What?” Elodie asked, concern lacing her voice.

“Shift into brake, babes,” I snapped.

She winced but did as I instructed; the car coming to a smooth stop in front of my house.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. “That car,” I said, jerking my finger toward the Jaguar. “That belongs to Lola.”

Elodie’s eyes widened as she looked at the car and then back at me. “What’s she doing here?”

I didn’t have an answer for that. All I knew was that Lola showing up unannounced never led to anything good.

"I guess we're about to find out."

Chapter 25

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