Page 109 of Insatiable

“My dad came for me. You didn’t need to come all the way over here.” Then she frowns. “How did you know where I lived?”

I broke into the studio and violated your privacy, then climbed the wall when the gate wouldn’t open.

“I’m resourceful.”

“Oh…” She taps the door, chewing her lip. “You need to go.”

My insides drop. “Why? I’m sorry. I wanted to come and see you. I really did.”

She looks behind her, then her eyes are on me again. “I’ll see you later, okay? Thanks for bringing my phone.”

I frown. “Eh?”

She gives me a tight smile as she closes the door, and I momentarily freeze.

I knew I’d fuck this up.

I rub my hand through my hair then grab my phone and type another apology out as I leave. The gate opens for me, and I slip into my car.

My heart is beating so hard.

Before I can drive off, the door swings open, and green eyes look at me. “Hi.”

I stare at her as she sits. “Hi.”

“My phone died – that’s why I couldn’t text back. You really didn’t need to drive away over here. My dad is kind of on edge all the time and isn’t a fan of boys near the house.” She clips her belt in. “Not that I have boys over. He’s just… overbearing sometimes.”

“Yeah,” I reply. “I thought you might have walked home. I wanted to catch you.”

“At eight in the morning?”

I shrug. “Are you… good with me?”

“Of course.”

I’m confused. I blink at her.

She sighs. “You scared my dad. He was caught off guard. He’s usually really nice.”

“So you aren’t mad at me?”

“Of course not. I thought I overstepped. Can you drive somewhere?”

I start the engine. “You didn’t overstep. You could ask me to drive you to fucking Australia and I’d find a way to do it. Where do you want to go?Luciellais still inStranraer.”

“Anywhere. I can’t stay out for long.”

I nod, and in comfortable silence, I drive us to LochThomand park next to the water.

I don’t move my hand away when she takes it, lacing our fingers and resting our hands in her lap.She looks so innocent and sweet and fucking adorable.

I’m going to miss her when I go to America for two weeks.

Stacey doesn’t let go of my hand as sheunclipsher belt and turns her body to face me. I do the same. “As much as I should be giving you shit for breaking into the studio and then into my garden, I find it cute that you went to those lengths.”

I tilt my head. “You knew I was in the studio?”

Nodding, she giggles. “I got an alert on my phone. I saw it when I turned it on. You’re luckyTylardidn’t get one too. She would’ve called the police.”

---