Page 15 of The Love Syllabus

“No way! You’ve caused enough trouble,Victor Grey Beard!” My voice bounces off the buildings, a little louder than I intended, but I’m too annoyed to care. “I’ll leave the way I came…withoutyou!”

He stops, brows furrowed, clearly not used to being rejected.

“Kerry, wait!” The plea in his voice is subtle, almost masked by frustration. His fingers brush against mine, feather-light but passionately electric. “I’m not asking. I’m telling you that I’m taking you home. It’s the least I can do for putting you on the spot… althoughyouput me on the spot first.”

I freeze and then cross my arms. “You’re impossible.”

His eyes soften as he steps closer to invade my personal space like he owns it. Gently, he tucks a stray curl behind my ear, his fingers lingering just a second too long, igniting sparks where there should be none. His warmth seeps into me, betraying my resolve.

“God, you’re beautiful,” He mutters, more to himself than to me, his voice a low rasp that brushes against my skin like velvet. His gaze drops to my lips, andsuddenly, the chilly air feels irrelevant. “Please let me take you home, Kerry Kind. I promise to be a gentleman. You asked me to play the part, and I did. So, there’s no way in hell I’m letting myfake girlfriendfind her own way home.”

His teasing smirk should annoy me. But it doesn’t.

“Fine,” I grumble. “But you better not try anything…grimy.” The corny joke and my goofy laugh slip out before I can stop it. “Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”

He chuckles, deep and warm, the sound wrapping around me like an embrace. Just then, a sleek black Escalade glides to the curb.

“Mr. Grimes!” the driver calls out with an exaggerated grin as Victor opens the door for me.

“Gary, don’t start.” Victor’s tone is a mix of playful and warning. “We’re just taking Ms. Kind home. That’s all. This isn’t what you think.”

As he guides me toward the car, his hand wraps around mine with gentle firmness, sending another surge of unwanted warmth through me. Gary snickers from the driver’s seat.

“Sure it isn’t, Vic. Stepping out of your comfort zone, falling head over heels…”

“Gary!” Victor snaps, a hint of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. It’s… weirdly endearing.

“Please, excuse my driver. He’s more like an uncle than anything. He has a hard time not butting in.” Vic explains, his voice tinged with affection and a hint of embarrassment.

“I get it. My parents and friends are the same way.” I reply, finding common ground that makes the air between us a bit lighter.

As we settle into the ride, I give Gary my address, who nods and occasionally glances at us through the rearview mirror. “He’s quite protective over you.” I observe, noting the careful watch he keeps on Vic.

“As he should be. It’s my first night out in a new town, and I’ve given a ride to astrangestranger. Who wouldn’t be protective?” Vic smirks, his voice laced with a mix of sarcasm and warmth.

I gasp in mock offense. “Strange?You’ve got some nerve.You’rethe one fake-dating a stranger to win a pissing contest with her ex.” I snap while struggling to undo my shoe strap.

Vic chuckles, then carefully lifts my leg, placing it gently on his lap to help me. A light breath escapes my mouth. The moment he touches me, the slit of my dress parts slightly, revealing more of my thighs, which seems to momentarily distract him.

“Eyes up, Grey Beard,” I tease, catching his wandering gaze.

Gary’s snicker from the front seat makes my cheeks heat, but Victor’s focus never wavers from my face, my barely concealed cleavage, and my legs. Even though he’s just unclasped my shoe strap, his hand remains firmly yet gently around my ankle, massaging his thumb deep into my legs.

What the hell is happening right now? My heart races, and my body responds to his touch so naturally, with my leg gently resting in his palms and a moan slightly escaping my lips. I’ve never desired someone so badly in my life, and I’ve certainly never felt so desired in my life.

“Grey Beard,” I whisper, part warning, part invitation.

His thumb pauses, then resumes its gentle stroke. “I promise I’m never this blunt, but I think I might go crazy if I don’t ask…”

Without thinking, I blurt, “If you could kiss me?”

His mouth falls open slightly. “Uh… I wasn’t expecting that.”

Suddenly, I realize I suck at reading signals, let alone the damn room. I’m mortified by my forwardness, feeling exposed in the back of this truck, my emotions raw and unfiltered.

“I was actually going to ask about your ex,” he continues, his voice soft but unreadable. “Your marriage. But…uh…do you want me to kiss you?”

Oh my goodness, I’m so embarrassed, and there’s nowhere for me to hide. He’s going to think I’m a gold digger for real! We’re in the back of a truck with my hoo-haw practically screaming for him to take me, and he asks about my ex. I need to get out of here…now!

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