Page 119 of Thunder with a Chance of Lovestruck

Demi laughed as she teared up. “Whatever it takes.”

ChapterThirty-Nine

Rachael

Drest’s handfound the small of my back as he led me out of Robin’s home. We’d ended up going to Robin’s kitchen and having coffee and tea with those who remained while Robin had helped Demi up to bed.

I’d checked on her twice and when I’d found her resting peacefully the second time, I felt comfortable enough to head out for the night. I’d also left strict instructions to be notified if anything changed.

Astria had to basically shove me out the door, reminding me of when she’d been little, and I’d watched her alone for the first time. Amice had been overprotective of her, giving me more than one list of emergency contacts. I hadn’t really understood it back then, but I got it now. It didn’t matter that Astria was forty and Demi was thirty-five. I’d always worry about them.

When I looked out at the front lawn, my eyes widened. “Wow, the Van Helsings should hire out as a cleaning crew.”

Drest chuckled nervously.

It was hard to tell an epic showdown had happened there only hours ago.

I spotted movement from the side of the property and tensed.

“Don’t worry. Bram said he’d station men here to patrol the property for the next few days just to be sure no more bad guys show.” Drest caressed my back, ushering me toward his car that someone had pulled up into the driveway. It had been run through a fence and plowed over bad guys but didn’t look to have much more than a few scratches on the bumper.

They sure didn’t make cars like that anymore.

My Jeep was parked next to the Falcon. I’d left my keys with Stratton so he and Astria would have a mode of transportation should they need it.

“Need anything from your Jeep?” asked Drest as he got to the driveway.

“No. I have everything I need at my house,” I said. “Do we need to stop by Stratton’s for anything for you?”

He slid his hand up my back as he led me to the passenger side of his car. “No. I keep a bag in the trunk of my car with everything I’ll need in it.”

“Smart,” I said, wanting to avoid dead air.

“Rachael, you don’t have to be nervous around me,” he said, his voice low as he stepped even closer to me, crowding my body against the car door. He grabbed the handle, leaving his hand brushing my hip, sending need slamming through me. “As much as I want to toss you in the backseat of my car and do you until neither of us can walk, I won’t. Not until you’re ready for more—if you are ever ready for more from me that is.”

My hand slid over his, leaving us both holding the car door handle. Our faces were close, and the moment felt incredibly intimate. My free hand went to his chest. “We should get in the car.”

“Yes,” he said, his focus on my lips. “We should.”

“Drest.”

“Hmm?” he asked.

“We’re not actually getting in the car,” I replied, a smile tugging at my mouth.

He chuckled. “No. I suppose we’re not.”

As he stepped back, I grabbed his shirt and tugged him back to me. I stared up at him and then touched his scruffy jawline, easing my thumb over his lower lip.

He kissed the pad of my thumb and winked before he eased back, opening the car door for me. He held the door open, and I went to get in, only to find a purple gift bag there. I lifted it, remembering then what Marcy had said about a gift from Amice.

Drest eyed me. “Do I want to know what Marcy was talking about?”

I peeked into the bag and laughter erupted from me as I spotted a bottle of personal lubricant, white taper candles, and lavender lingerie.

Drest peered into the bag and reached in, lifting a thong out with his pinkie finger. He glanced upward. “Amice, you’re the best. I friggin’ love purple.”

I laughed more.

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