Page 110 of Beautiful Defiance

“Don’t shower. I want a taste of you first.”

His head swivels to me. His eyes are wide. Groaning, he bounces the back of his head on the headrest.

“Shit, baby, you are dirty.”

“Dirty for you.”

He reaches for me. I put my hand in his and interlace our fingers.

“Leigh?”

“Hmm?”

“Will you go to homecoming with me?”

Will I? “Yes.” If he wasn’t driving, I would tackle him to the ground and kiss him untilhistoes curl.

“Will you be at the game?”

“Yes. Miles gave me the night off. Said no way will I miss the most important game of the season.”

A game between Delridge and Cambridge.

Steering with one hand, Seven turns onto the road that will take us to our places. Instead of making a U-turn and parking alongside the fence, he stops the truck and puts it in park.

“Come on, Leigh, switch seats.”

“What? Why?”

“I’m gonna teach you how to drive.”

“But I lost the bet,” I sputtered.

“I didn’t win fair and square, baby. I’d been watching you and knew those sideline shots were your weakness.”

“Seven Shanahan, to think you took advantage.” I lean in and kiss him. “Thank you for telling me.”

We switch seats. I shift the truck into drive and take it easy. He loves this truck, and I don’t want to mess things up by crashing his baby.

“You’re a natural.”

Beaming, I turn onto the road that goes to his house.

“Keep going. The road dead ends at the back of the house.”

“What’s over there?”

“Nothing but trees.”

“That’s nice, Seven.”

“It is. There’s also a field. A great place to lay in the bed of the truck and stargaze.”

“Sounds wonderful.”

“Will you?”

“Will I what?” I ask, biting down on my smile.

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