Page 72 of Trust

“No, Zane, I don’t.” She made a split-second decision and clamored over the console. Banging her head twice, she hoped not to end the evening with a concussion. “I need you to spell it out. Very slowly.” She pressed her finger into his drawn brows. “Consider it a parting gift.”

“I don’t want to part, you infuriating woman. Quit trying to get rid of me.”

“Me?” she sputtered. “It’s you who is constantly backpedaling.” She leaned in, feeling her Bennet temper rising like lava. “How dare you put this on me!”

An air of expectation filled the truck's cab, and she didn’t know where the tide of their emotions would take them.

Would they screw each other’s brains out or shout down the trees?

Zane’s bristling energy pushed against her chest, and she decided that more words wouldn’t solve their differences.

“You want to fix this by having raunchy car sex, don’t you?” Zane asked quietly.

“Don’t pretend like it’s a bad idea.” She pushed her hands under his T-shirt. “We’ve been swinging from all loved up to can’t pick a fight quick enough. For all we know, sex could fix it.” She ran her mouth over his corded neck and felt her big bad warrior shudder. She was never prepared for the way he gave in when she least expected it.

Showing his vulnerability and giving her a glimpse of his need, no matter how unintentional, was a brave act. Something she wasn’t confident that she had managed herself.

She let the notion take one lap and then decided it was more than her tired brain could manage at the late hour. It might be best to use the last of her energy to seduce the man and have one last glorious tumble.

She mentally tried to choreograph how she could have her way with him in the truck and couldn’t quite figure out the details.

“Liv…”

Dragging her mouth away from his warm skin, she looked up. “Yes?”

“Let’s go in the house.”

“Let’s stay here.”

“No way.”

She pushed her hair out of her face and sat up. “Well, that’s disappointing.”

“Having sex in the car doesn’t make it mean less.” He tilted his chin toward the house. “Let me take you inside.”

“Why are you raining on my sexcapades?”

“You’ve had a lot to drink.” He cupped her cheek. “And it’s a damn difficult day for you.”

“Are you denying me some sexual healing?”

“Nope.” He opened the truck door and climbed out while holding onto her. “But we’re not going to do it in the truck. I want to see your eyes and make sure it’s me you see and not some ghost.”

Pushing herself out of his arms, she landed on her feet and swayed slightly. “I don’t care for what you’re implying, Zane. I’m not trying to use you as a substitute.”

“If that’s true, you shouldn’t be opposed to going upstairs.”

She gave him a once over. “I don’t know if I want you to come in, after all.”

“No take-backs.” He lifted her into his arms and strode toward the front door. “If you want it, we’re doing it in the bedroom.”

The day's weight crashed on her heavy heart, and she leaned her head against his chest. “I don’t know why you’ve suddenly decided to be so formal. It’s not like you’ll spend the night.”

“Do you want me to stay?”

“I didn’t think it was an option since you always disappear before the sun comes up.” She gripped Zane’s arm as he opened the door and carried her over the threshold. Bella gave her a frown and then pushed her head against the doggy bed. “I think my dog just passed judgment.”

“Welcome to my world. Killer forever gives me the side-eye when I evict him from my lap.”

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