Page 73 of Rival
“Yours. If that’s alright? I don’t have anywhere to be right now, and I don’t really want to go home.”
A million questions cross my mind. Questions like,why don’t you want to go home?andwhat do you want to do when we get there?but I don’t ask. Instead, I nod and do my best to steer us out of the lot. The rain is coming down so hard I can barely see out the windshield.
Edith is sitting forward in her seat, squinting out the window with me. “It’s really coming down. Are we going to make it to your place?”
Not wanting to make her nervous, because she’s obviously anxious about the weather, I nod quickly. “We’ll be fine.”
Gripping the wheel, we drive in silence, both of us watching the best we can, but the longer we drive, the thicker it starts to fall.
A dark body darts in front of my truck after I turn onto the road leading to my parents’ place, and I slam on my brakes to avoid hitting it. Edith, bless her, keeps her lips pressed together, but it doesn’t totally silence her squeal of worry when we almost run into the animal.
As soon as I come to a stop far over into the shoulder, she’s shoving her door open to find him—I think it may have been a dog—and running alongside the road.
“Fuck,” I bite out, then shove my truck into park and leave it idling as I follow her out. The rain hits my face like it’s trying to beat me into submission, but I ignore the sting and follow her into the long grass. “Edith!” I shout, the sound of the rain dulling my voice.
She doesn’t react to me calling her name out, whipping her head around, looking for the animal. The rain doesn’t seem to bother her, and when I finally get to her side, she glances up at me with a look of panic.
“Did you see where he went? Did we hit him?” She’s practically sobbing, and I pull her against me, a hand on the back of her head.
Shushing her, I press a kiss to the top of her head. “I didn’t hit him, sweetheart. I swear. He made it to the side of the road. I think it was a dog. He’s probably almost home by now.”
“Are you sure?” she cries out, gripping my shirt and looking over my shoulder.
“I’m positive. Come on, baby. Let’s get back in the truck.” Tugging her with me, she looks toward the tree line once more, then follows, clearly feeling defeated. Lifting her in, I shut the door quickly and hurry to get in as well.
We were damp before, but now we’re absolutely soaked. Wiping the water from my face, I peer over at her and see she’s staring out the window, worried and shivering. “Edith, here. You need to dry yourself off the best you can.”
I hand her the shirt again, but she only holds it in her lap. “You’re sure we didn’t hit him, right?” Her eyes find mine and they’re full of unshed tears. My heart softens with how desperate she is to know he’s alright.
“Come here. I swear to you,” I say, tugging her into my lap and wrapping my arms around her shaking body. “I didn’t touch him. He beat the truck when he crossed the road.”
She nods and lets me hold her. “I just need a minute.” Curling herself into my body, I relax and let her rest against me. We’re both soaked from the rain, and I ignore how uncomfortable my clothes feel so I can keep her close to me.
Lifting her head, we lock gazes, and I suck in a breath.Christ, she’s so goddamn beautiful. Brushing her hair from her face, I cup her cheek and keep her attention on me.
“You gonna be okay, sweetheart?” I whisper. Edith’s fingers are digging into my chest and there’s no hiding the way my heart is thumping under her hands. Her eyes drop and she spreads her fingers further, then peers up at me again.
“Jax…” Her voice trails off, and she implores me for something.
I haven’t even spoken to her about my desire to date her, but with her on my lap, I can’t control my need for her. Bringing my other hand to her face, I hold her face and whisper, “I’m going to kiss you.”
Waiting a moment to see if she’ll deny me, I lower my mouth to hers and taste her lips for the first time. She tastes like everything I’ve ever wanted and more.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Edith
Jaxon’s lips move over mine, and I don’t think I’ve ever been more stunned. Yes, I’ve kissed both Griffin and Mason recently, but the way Jaxon is kissing me right now, it’s as if he’s telling me every one of his deepest secrets.
My hand spreads further over his chest and his heart is pulsing even harder than my own, which is nuts because mine feels as if it’s about to burst out of me.
“Jaxon,” I breathe out, letting his kiss take me into a different world, distracting me from our almost awful accident and what could have happened. I push myself closer.
When our bodies press against each other, I shiver as the cold seeps into my skin from our soaked clothes. Gasping, I intend to pull back, but he uses the moment to deepen our kiss, his tongue plunging forward. He tastes of mint and ice, his whole body just as chilled as mine.
“You’re shaking,” he says against my mouth.
Nodding, I keep moving my lips with his and whisper, “I’m soaking wet.”
