Page 11 of Sloane

“No problem. I’ve already got a blanket down in the backseat for him.”

I handed Tank’s leash to Ryan. “Thanks, man. For everything.”

I hoped my look properly conveyed my gratitude.

It must have worked because Ryan looked at me with a smirk. “I love you, too, man,” then tipped his head. “See you in a bit.”

Turning back to Ashley, she pointed to a white Camry, then passed me her keys with a smile. “You can drive.”

“Are you sure? I can’t remember when I drove something other than a JLTV or Humvee.”

We reached the passenger door, and I clicked the unlock button on her fob before opening her door.

“I trust you,” she said with a sly smile before sliding into the seat.

It was a silly, off-hand remark, but my chest swelled as I went around to open the driver’s door.

You can trust me, baby. I won’t let you down.

After starting the car, I was immediately met with a blast of air to the face. She quickly reached over and turned the air down. “Oops, sorry about that.”

As I adjusted my seat and mirrors, Ashley continued, “Besides, this way I can stare at you while you have to keep your eyes on the road.”

“Aw, that’s why I wanted you to drive.”

“And that’s exactly why I’m not.”

It felt like she was putting herself down, and I didn’t care for that one bit.

I let go of the seat belt I’d been about to fasten and turned to face her head on.

“Well, I’ll be making up for it once we stop. You’re fucking beautiful. I’ve carried your picture with me everywhere I go, and I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes off you now that you’re right in front of me.”

She glanced down at her hands in her lap. “You don’t have to say that.”

I tilted her chin, so she had no choice but to look at me when I growled, “I’m sorry, maybe you didn’t understand what I said. You. Are. Fucking. Beautiful.”

To punctuate the point I was making, I leaned across the console and captured her lips with mine for a slow, tender kiss. A soft sigh escaped her when I pulled away and reiterated, “So beautiful.” Resting my forehead against hers, I whispered, “I can’t believe I’m actually kissing you.”

She let out a low hum that I wasn’t sure how to interpret, and a horrible thought occurred to me.

“Oh god, I’m not out of line for kissing you, am I?”

Her eyes got big, and she shook her head vigorously.

“What? No! No, no, no! I’m glad you did. I wasn’t sure if we were just going to be friends, or what.” A slow grin spread across her face. “You kind of cleared that up right off the bat.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself once I saw you.” I pulled the seatbelt across my chest then put the car in drive. “And, baby girl, I want to be so much more than friends.”

She slid her fingers between mine and pecked my cheek. “I want that, too.”

I felt my chest puff up again as I pulled onto the road.

I want to be your everything.

I gave myself an internal shake.

Whoa, too soon, man. Too soon.

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