Page 75 of Truck You

“Are you kidding me?” he asks. “You’re not even going to react?”

I glance around, just now realizing that everyone has stopped and is staring at me. “React to what exactly?”

“You’re a pain in my ass, Red.” He drops his arms and stalks toward me. “Most people are terrified when we introduce them to the Grassman. Should’ve known you’d be difficult.”

“Grassman?” I ask.

But he doesn’t answer me. Instead, he picks me up off the tailgate and tosses me over his shoulder. He slaps my ass and growls, causing everyone to break out into laughter.

“Mac!” I knock my fists against his back. “Put me down.”

“I will.” The deep timbre of his voice vibrates in his chest, and I feel it all the way down to my toes. “Right after I introduce you to the Grassman.”

“Who the fuck is the Grassman?” I ask.

Before he can answer me, a loud roar surrounds us. It’s so loud, I can’t help but jump in his arms. He drops me to my feet and turns me around. “Thisis the Grassman.”

Then he shoves me at a man dressed up in what looks like a Sasquatch costume.

* * *

An hour later,Mac drags me to his truck and says we’re leaving. Once again, he won’t tell me where we’re going, only that it’s not far.

The party had been fun, but spirits declined when they figured out I don’t scare easily. They put on that entire scene just to see me scream. Ash and Chase were both dressed up in Sasquatch costumes. They were hiding in the woods, making noises. The plan was once I was scared, they were going to chase me when I ran. It didn’t work out that way.

I turn in my seat to face Mac. “Tell me more about this Grassman character. Did you all make him up to frighten newbies like me?”

Mac gives me a side-eye glance and shakes his head. “I can’t believe that didn’t faze you in the least. It scares everyone.”

“I told you. I grew up watching horror movies. I’m a junkie.”

“I know thatnow.” He huffs, making me laugh. “It would have been nice to know that beforehand. I would’ve kicked it up a notch.”

“You could have tried, but it probably still wouldn’t have worked.”

He narrows his eyes and huffs. “You realize we worked with the Kochs to pull this off? You could at least pretend.”

“Aw.” I reach over and run my hand through his hair. He leans into my touch. “I’m sorry you had to do that for me. Had I known how important this was to you, I would have put on a show myself.”

He glances at me, and his lips pull up in a slight grin. With a quick flick of his hand, he unhooks my seat belt. “Get over here. I want you close.”

I chuckle but do as he asks. Once I’m next to him, he leans in for a quick kiss before buckling the center belt.

“Hang on,” he says. “The road is about to get bumpy.”

He takes a sharp turn to the right onto a narrow, unmarked road through the forest. It’s one of those roads that unless you know it’s there, you’d never see it. The truck bounces on the rough terrain, and Mac has to keep a tight grip on the wheel to keep from hitting trees. His truck barely fits through the path.

But when the road opens up and a small lake comes into view, I gasp. He pulls his truck to a stop on an open grassy area a few feet from the lake’s edge. When he kills the headlights, the stars cast a soft glow over the cab.

It’s quiet and very private. There’s nothing but us and the night sky.

“Oh my God, Mac. This is beautiful.” I lean into the windshield to get a better view of the sky. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many stars before.”

He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me onto his lap. His mouth is on mine before I can even take my next breath. He bites on my bottom lip before his tongue dives in and tangles with mine. This is aMackiss. Powerful. Hard. Possessive.

But I don’t feel any safer with this kiss than I did with the sweet, sensual kiss from earlier.

I am, without a doubt, falling for Mac Mutter.

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