Page 34 of Rear View
He rubbed his hands together. “Knew I hitched myself to you for a reason.” He snickered. “Now bring me my food!”
“Excuse me,” Sheila said to the group as a whole. “I’m apparently needed.”
I breathed deep to ease the burn inside my rib cage, ’cause I wanted that. Wanted what they had. The family I was missing.
Ryah tugged her hands into her sleeves and cleared her throat. “So, that’s your car?”
Smooth, darlin’.My focus shifted to her. “That’s her. You wanna see?”
Her smile widened. “I’d love to.”
I straightened, my chest expanding as I stood tallerand waved for them to follow. “Come on, I’ll get you closer.”
“The stage looks a little crowded.” Miles clapped me on the shoulder. “You take Ry.” He eyed Christian. “The rest of us can wait here.”
I owed the guy a beer. Or a fuckin’ kidney.
Giving him a nod, I held the velvet rope for Ryah.
Her gaze narrowed. “Am I allowed back here?”
I gave her a wink before she blushed and ducked under.
Her jeans fit her legs real good. They looked comfortable but still managed to show off some of what she hid underneath. Not that she needed to. A douchebag skulked by, stare-skimming her body. He tugged his hair back in a ponytail as he took his fill, angling to the side like he was trying to catch a look at her ass. My jaw ticked, rough hands creaking when they clenched into fists. His attention darted to mine, and he must’ve picked up on the threat in my glare ’cause he fucked all the way off when he disappeared into the crowd.
Stopping, I offered her my hand. She eyed it, gaze softening before she set hers in mine. And, Christ, it felt good. Warm, and silky. Fuckin’ perfect.
I climbed the steps, taking her with me. Alec eyed us and his brows shot up. Yeah, yeah. I was protective as shit over the vehicle. People liked to grab stuff or push buttons. But I wanted Ryah to see what I did. To see her reaction. Get her thoughts.
“What do ya think, darlin’?” I asked.
“She’s a pretty little hot hatch.”
My eyes went wide.
Her expression eased—calmed—before a full-beam smile broke across her lips. The sight of it nearly knocked me on my ass. A man could kill for a girl like that. Educated. Beautiful. Outta my league in every way. Regardless, she was standin’ there with me, so I wasn’t complaining.
Sheila offered a thumbs-up while Alec chomped his burger and gave an impressed nod. “She knows the lingo.”
Ryah blushed and playfully flipped her hair. “She may have looked up some words.”
He laughed.
And why’d you do that, now?
Poppin’ the handle, I swung the door wide. She moved closer, holding tight to me, her body less than a foot from mine. And damn, did she smell good. Like spice and cinnamon. Warm. Rich and smooth, like whiskey on a fall night.
“Wow…” she said, her eyes narrowing on the sparse interior, built for safety, not style. “It looks like it’s missing a few pieces.”
Barking a laugh, I ran a palm over the roof. “Careful, now. My girl’s sensitive.” I tipped my chin up. “Climb in.”
She froze.“What?”
I flicked my wrist toward the driver’s seat. “Go on.”
Her gaze slid to mine as she pulled that pretty lip through her teeth. “What if I break something?”
“Even I can’t break this thing, woman.” I smirked. “Now, get in the damn car.”
