Page 58 of Trucker
My breath caught and I had to stick the tip of my tongue to my top teeth, imagining what that would be like.
Then, it was as if she caught herself and laughed while shaking her head.
“Listen to me talk as if I’m some prize. Forget I said anything, okay?”
“How about this.” I paddled over to her. “I show you what I have—then you tell me if I pass.”
Taji said nothing.
She stared into my eyes for what felt like an eternity before swimming in close, tangling her arms around my neck and kissing me—shyly.
“Deal.” Her voice cracked.
“Was that your way of sealing our deal?”
“Yes.”
“Well.” I wrapped my arms around her bare waist and pulled her closer.
Kissing her deeper, I released her lips with a smack.
“That’s how you seal a deal with a kiss.” I croaked.
Taji pressed her face into my neck.
I smirked.
“Are you being shy, Sprite?” I asked.
Taji groaned and wiggled her body against me. She then groaned again and held me tighter, hiding her face.
I laughed.
TAJI SLOANE
Fear curledmy insides as I struggled to get free. Everything was dark.
My entire body was hurting and something heavy was sitting on my chest. I clawed against the hands holding me down, screaming as much as my limited air would allow, while trying to sit up.
“Taji.”
“No, please.” I muttered. “Please—oh God!”
“Sweetheart.” The voice was soft. “It’s me. It’s Trucker—Mayson. Don’t be afraid, okay? You’re safe.”
“Please…”
“It’s okay, Sprite. You’re safe.”
Opening my eyes and seeing his face was like walking into the most beautiful sunset.
The smile on his lips hadn’t reached his concerned eyes. The worry in them as he tried getting me to breathe, to trust him?—
I trust this man.
Without being clear, I know, I trust this man.
Without thinking, I surged upward and wrapped my arms around him and buried my face into his neck.
