I pull the lever.
I don’t know whether I should get out or stay put. For self-preservation purposes, I go with staying put. Remaining in the car, far from Nash, exponentially decreases the likelihood of me doing or saying something stupid. That’s always a good thing.
Through the crack where the hood hinges, I can see Nash fiddle with several things, tugging hoses and wires and tightening something down. Then I see him brush his hands off and close the hood.
He walks back to the window. “I don’t see anything obviously wrong, but I’m no mechanic. Looks like this car’s not going anywhere for a while. Do you want me to call a tow truck?”
I can’t help the deep sigh of frustration. “No, that’s okay. I can call one after I call in to work.”
“Are you sure?”
I muster the brightest smile I can, which isn’t very bright at all, I’m sure. “Yeah, I’m sure. Thanks, though.”
“Do you want me to wait with you?”
My laugh is bitter. “That’s okay. I’d rather get chewed out in private if you don’t mind.”
His brow wrinkles. “Are you going to be in trouble?”
I wave my hand dismissively. “Ah, no more than usual.”
He nods and starts to walk away but pauses. I see him glance at his watch then look up, like he’s thinking. It’s obvious the wheels of his mind are turning.
“Why don’t you let me drive you to work?”
“Absolutely not! You’ve got plans with Marissa and it’s way out of your way. Salt Springs is way out of everyone’s way.”
“We were just going to hang out with some coworkers. I can be a little late. It’s not a big deal.”
“Well, it is to me. I’ll be fine. I appreciate the offer, but I’m gonna have to decline.”
“Decline?” he says, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “What if I insist?”
“Insist all you like. My answer won’t change.”
Nash narrows his eyes on me and his lips curve up at the corners. He walks slowly to my window and bends down, resting his forearms along the open space. His face is inches from mine.
“I could always make you.”
The way he says it sounds dark and dirty and infinitely pleasurable. All I can think of is what I’d like for him to make me do.
There’s an unsavory term for that—a guy forcing a girl to do sexual things. But what is it they say? You can’t rape the willing. And I’d be willing. Oh, how I’d be willing.
My mouth is so dry, my tongue sticks to the roof. All I can do is shake my head.
Like the strike of lightning, Nash reaches in and snatches the keys from the ignition. His smile is smug when he stands and walks around to the passenger side. He opens the door and collects my overnight bag and my purse from the seat. Before he shuts the door, he says, “It’s either come with me or sleep in your car that won’t start. Your choice.”
With that, he slams the door shut and walks casually away, toting my stuff to his car and dropping it into the back seat. He leans against the driver’s door and crosses his arms over his chest to watch me. The challenge is clear.
I’m just stubborn enough that if I really didn’t want to go with him, I would find a way around him. But therein lies the rub. I do want to go with him. Just to spend a little more time with him, without Marissa around, sounds like heaven. I mean, it’s not like I have any plans to try and steal him. Or that I even could. Marissa is the total package. She’s a whiny bitch, but still, she’s gorgeous, wealthy, successful and she has hella good connections in the Atlanta world of law.
Then there’s me. I’m an accounting student slash bartender slash farmer’s daughter. Yeah, stealing Nash isn’t an option, even if I was the type to attempt it.
Fortunately, that makes a car ride with him even more harmless.
After rolling up the window, I climb out of the car and lock the door before heading for the plush, cool interior of Nash’s BMW. I say nothing about the satisfied smile he’s wearing when he slides in beside me. It’s better if he thinks he won.
“Now, was that so hard?”
I try to keep my smile slightly on the tolerant side, squashing my exuberance. “I guess not. You drive a hard bargain.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“I’m sure you have,” I mutter. When Nash’s head whips in my direction, I smile innocently. “What?”
He looks suspicious. “I thought you said something.”
“Nope. Not me.”
I smother my grin as he backs out of the lot.
CHAPTER SIX - Nash
I watch Olivia from the corner of my eye as I steer the car toward interstate. I know I’m asking for trouble, going to such lengths to spend a little more time with this girl.
It’s not that I wouldn’t help any female stranded in a similar situation. But would I go this far? Probably not. And would I insist upon it? Definitely not.
Why couldn’t you just wait with her until a tow truck showed up and then leave?
I don’t know the answer to that, but it seems like there’s just something about her…
She’s great looking, no doubt, even though she’s not necessarily my type. She’s the complete opposite of Marissa in practically every way, physical and otherwise. And, even though Marissa fits everything in my life to perfection, I don’t feel drawn to her like I do this girl.
And that’s not good.
And I know it.
Yet here I am. Driving her half way across the state to drop her off at work. While my girlfriend is waiting for me.
Oh, shit! Marissa!
As I accelerate up the entrance ramp, I turn to Olivia. “Do you mind if I let Marissa know?”
She smiles and shakes her head.
I click a couple buttons on the console to turn off the Bluetooth. I don’t want Olivia to hear my conversation with Marissa.
“Where are you?” Marissa asks as she answers the phone.
“Olivia’s car wouldn’t start. I’m taking her to work and then I’ll be there.”
“Olivia? My cousin, Olivia?”
“Of course. Who else?”
“And you’re taking her all the way to work? In Salt Springs?”
“Yes.”
Silence greets me. I know what Marissa is like to others. I’m fully aware of the comments and the tantrum she’s suppressing for my benefit. She’s very good at maintaining her carefully forged façade. She knows our relationship would cease to be if she didn’t. For that reason, she doesn’t speak until she has her temper under control.