Page 132 of Devil's Bargain

“Thanks for making me laugh, Rick.”

His eyes soften. “Anytime, babe.”

I blush, looking out the passenger window. I really like it when he calls me that. “This isn’t the way to school.”

He smirks as the song ends and “Sex” by The 1975 starts playing.

“Oh my god!” I squeal, turning the music up. “I love this song!

“You love all the songs!” His grin is big and blinding in the best way possible.

“Don’t tell me this isn’t catchy?”

He pretends to think about it, so I shove his shoulder, making him laugh. “Fine! It’s catchy!”

“She’s got a boyfriend anyway!” I sing, nodding my head along to the tune, drumming a beat on the dashboard. “Do you like it?”

He makes a right turn, focusing on the road as he spins the wheel with the palm of his hand. His other hand is on my thigh. I pretend I don’t notice. “Yeah, I like it.”

“Really?” My chest feels like it will burst from how full it is right now.

He meets my gaze briefly, but I feel it down to my toes as if it lingers long after his attention is back on the road. “Really!”

I clear my throat and watch trees and more trees pass by outside. “Where are we going?”

“Do you not remember this?”

I look at him quizzically.

“I told you I would take you back to the lake.”

“The lake?” And then I remember. “The day we got soaked in the rain.”

He squeezes my thigh. “Yeah.”

It feels like so long ago…

I look away as my heart squeezes with emotions I can’t place. “Rick,” I whisper, my eyes on the scenery outside. “I can’t fall for you.”

Too late, but that’s beside the point.

He turns down the volume and reaches for my hand. “Who says you are?”

He’s giving me an out.

“Your parents would never approve of me.”

We reach the clearing. Rick pulls over by the side and cuts the engine, turning in his seat. “What makes you say that?”

I exit the car and scan my eyes over the still lake before picking up a rock and skimming it over the surface, watching the ripples move over the water.

He’s right behind me. “You’re walking with a limp.”

“Did you like his cock in your ass?”

“I’m sorry!” I sob.

“Oh, you’re going to be very fucking sorry soon!”

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