Page 84 of Ronan

“It’s more than eight inches.”

I snort, covering my mouth with my hand. “Keep telling yourself that, buddy.”

“Are you quite done?” he snaps, glaring at me again and trying not to flinch when we hit another bump. “You’re the one that pointed out the trees!”

“And I’m also the one who would’ve been driving on the smooth dirt path instead of this nonsense, but that’s just me.”

“Dirt path? There’s no… huh.” Ronan trails off, not saying a word as he turns the wheel to the right, the bouncing vehicle settling once we hit the compact soil.

“How’s that superior vision treating you?”

He ignores me.

After ten minutes of bumping along the dirt road, we reach the outskirts of the trees, and Ronan parks before climbing out and readying his sword. “Get in the driver’s seat and stay here while I make sure it’s safe.”

“Uh, I can’t drive,” I point out, and he huffs an annoyed sigh, leaning inside the car and gesturing towards my feet.

“Right pedal says go, left one says stop, and turn the wheel to steer.”

“Wow, I’m so glad we had this lesson. I just feel so empowered now, you know? Like I could be your getaway driver. Engine roaring, tires squealing, and because of this moment, I wouldn’t even kill us in a fiery, explosive crash.” An exhausted sigh escapes his nose, the lifeless expressionin his eyes telling me he’s possibly questioning his life decisions. I scoot into the driver’s seat and pop a kiss on his frowning lips. “Thanks, babe.”

“Just… be ready, okay?”

I relent with a nod and another chaste kiss. “Got it.”

His broad shoulders ripple as he walks away, forearms flexing as he squeezes the grip on his sword. “Why is that so hot?” I ask Boomerang, glancing behind me to see her tongue hanging from the side of her mouth. “I know, right? That’s my exact reaction when he does that sexy guardian stuff.”

Three minutes later, and my hands wring in my lap as I squint at the trees, searching for any sign of Ronan.

Ten minutes after that, my imagination runs wild as I picture him bursting from the woods, relying on me to drive this death trap through the wastelands. He’d be hanging from the side dramatically with his hair whipping in the wind, of course, and in all likelihood, we’d end up stuck in a ditch a hundred feet from here.

He finally emerges from the trees, and I move into the passenger seat with a relieved sigh as he climbs in and stows his sword beside him. “There’s a good place to park behind the grove that will keep us concealed overnight. As dry as the weather has been, we shouldn’t build a fire, though, so I hope you’re okay with a modest dinner.”

“Ronan, after six years of scavenging, I can manage a few nights with simple food.”

“I know you can,” he murmurs, concentrating as he circles the trees, “but that won’t stop me from indulging you when I’m able.”

Charmed by his absentminded confession, I smile to myself and refrain from making fun of his lackluster driving skills. Bumps and rocks are more plentiful this close to the trees, and we chug along until he navigates the van into an opening between the trunks. The canopy blocks out much of the late evening sun as he pulls in, and he shuts off the engine when we’re several car lengths deep.

My stiff limbs pop and crack as I climb from the car, stretching my arms high above my head. Boomerang, never one to wait, leaps over the seat rather than waiting for me to open her door.

“Can I remove my jacket?” My entire body is sticky with sweat, and a whiff of my armpits makes my nose wrinkle. “You forgot to mention being your mate would involve dressing like I joined a motorcycle club.”

Ronan frowns. “What’s a motorcycle club?”

“Oh, I was reading about it the other day! Apparently, before the world went to hell, people put on leather jackets and scowled while they rode around on motorcycles.”

“Why?”

I stop and consider this for a second. “I think to get girls?”

Glorious air hits my overheated skin as he unzips my coat with a snort. “You want to snag some ladies, huh?”

“You’re the one that insisted on this ridiculous getup, so don’t be mad that you have to suffer the consequences… oh dear gods, that’s so much better.” Sweet relief blows over my bare skin as the jacket slides from my arms, and he tosses it onto the hood of the van.

Curiosity prods at my brain as I watch him. “Do you?”

“Do I what?”

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