Page 42 of True North

I open my eyes and give him a small smile. I’m happy for that, at least. When my gaze doesn’t leave his face, he glances at me, brows lowering.

“Spit it out, Louisa.”

His hands grip the wheel tight. I rub my finger over the strap of my bag. I look through the windshield, hoping the darkness will swallow this thing hanging between us.

But my insides explode and send my head spinning when he pins me with those deep dark blues. “Ain’t askin’, darlin’.”

ChapterEleven

HARRY

The look of pure devastation on Louisa’s face is like a knife through my gut. What’d turned out to be a night of surprisingly warm moments has been turned on its head by yours truly. I never could control my reactions around this woman. No better than the teenager I was. Lightning flashes miles away. Thunder growls a moment later.

Green eyes tighten as she hugs that damn bag to her heaving chest.

“Ain’t askin’, darlin’,” I grind out.

Her face hardens, the prettiest scowl twisting those stunning lips. If she wasn’t throwing out the I-hate-Harry-Rawlins daggers straight from the very green eyes that hold my mind captive every single night, I’d pull this truck right over and take her face in my hands and slam my mouth to hers. Inhale her. Devour her. Wipe the pouty little look right off her face.

“Fine, you want to know what I’m thinking?” she bites out.

“Yes, ma’am.” I keep my face straight, despite the amusement soaring through me right now. The wind picks up, jostling the vehicle.

“Why are you bein’ so nice to me? Why is your Ma bein’ so nice? After everything I put you through, you’re just indifferent now? The first time I saw you, the day at the diner, you hated me. Now? You justdon’t?”

Hated her?

What the hell?

I slam my foot on the brake and slide the truck over to the side of the road. We stall out with a jerk. I slam the brake on and am out of the driver’s door a second later. I walk down the dark dirt road, breaths heaving from my lungs.

Gravel snaps under my boots as I stalk as far from Louisa as I can. Before I turn around and say something I shouldn’t.

Like,I never hated you, Lou. I damn well love you, woman. Always have, always will. You can’t just turn something that strong off. It doesn’t work that way.

Thunder claps again, this time closer.

The passenger door opens and shuts. Swift footsteps close in behind me.

“Harry!”

I stop and close my eyes. I won’t leave her in the dark. The vehicle is safe. The side of the road in the dark ain’t. Her little fiery huffs meet me before she rounds me to stand face-to-face. She folds her arms again.

Guess it’s now or never.

“What are we doin’?” I breathe.

“You’re drivin’ me home, you ass.”

I hang my head, losing a breath. Misty rain closes in around us.

No escaping now.

“I mean this.” I wave a hand between us, closing my eyes like a coward.

“This?” she huffs, and I open my eyes as she takes a step back. “There is no this, Harry.”

Her words are soft. Sad.

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