Page 6 of Riding with the Bad Boy

Chapter 3

Danielle

Iwas more nervous sitting in the passenger seat beside Rocco than I used to be when potential parents came into the adoption agency. He’d seen me naked a dozen or more times, we had said things to each other in darkness I had never shared with anyone else, and still if felt so strange to be in this insane sized RV with him.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t still attracted to his rocker good looks. Those chipped blue eyes were what drew me in first. The broad shoulders and full lips surrounded by a perfectly trimmed beard were the second. All of it gave him a dangerous look that reminded me of my bad boy phase in my twenties. I had grown out of that, and Rocco wasn’t nearly as hard core as he believed himself to be.

“You okay?” He was turning onto the highway that would lead us out of Oregon.

“Yeah.” I ran my hand over the plush leather seat that was closer to something you would have in a living room than in a car. His was even bigger. “This thing is massive.” I shook my head.

Rocco chuckled. “You’ve said that before.”

I gave him my best dry look and turned to check out the interior. It was harder to take everything in with the furniture pulled in like it was. I could see the gray L-shaped sectional thatwas divided apart and seemed like it would be a decent size. Across from it was a fireplace and behind it there was a table with chairs and a kitchen. I could see the hallway, but beyond that all I could do was assume what could be there.

“I’ll give you the full tour when we stop tonight,” Rocco said and I looked over to see his eyes still on the road.

“We’re stopping tonight?” I had thought he would try to drive straight through.

“Yep.” He nodded. “It should only take us about five to six hours to get to Oakcrest Bay, California. I booked a spot with this winery thanks to an app that was recommended.”

“Why are we going to California?” I had mapped the trip and California was out of the way.

“Because we’re taking the old Route 14.” He told me. “It’s the easiest and best way. Plus the history and all the small towns along the way should be fun.”

I had looked at Route 14 since it ran across the country and Saddleback was right on it, but we didn’t need to hit it until at least Kansas. Maybe Missouri. There was no need to go to California unless he was purposely dragging this trip out.

“And just when did you decide to take all of Route 14?” I crossed my arms.

“When I bought the RV.” He glanced over at me. “I told you a while ago that I’ve always wanted to drive cross country.” It was something he had mentioned during the few times we spent the whole night together wrapped in each others arms.

“You should have mentioned it when you demanded that I join you.” I was still quite annoyed about the way he acted before. “I need to be in Tennessee by Friday, but I would prefer to get there on Thursday so I can get settled. That doesn’t give a lot of time to stop in every little spot along the way.”

“Relax, Giggles.” He moved his hand like he wanted to reach over and touch me, but stopped himself.

“Don’t.” I turned my head so I was looking out the side window, my voice low. I didn’t need to think about how he nicknamed me Giggles cause I always laughed when he touched the back of my knee just right. We weren’t sleeping together anymore. Reminders didn’t help.

“I need to stop.” I decided to change the subject.

“What? Why?”

“I didn’t have time to get the food I wanted.” Up until last night I had still been trying to find a car that didn’t require me driving to Portland to pick it up. Stupid computer glitch took out half the state. Add in that apparently everyone and their mother was traveling because it was summer and there wasn’t a fucking car anywhere close.

“I brought food.”

“For you, but I need specific things.” I wasn’t a picky eater, but I liked certain snacks and things with me. Things that I hadn’t been able to have when I was young and living under someone else’s roof.

“Like I said, I got food.” He repeated. “We’re good.”

“Can’t you just stop?”

“Fine.” His voice was clipped.

I stayed silent for the twenty minutes it took to find a store where he could park that would have what I needed. I didn’t expect him to go inside with me, but he turned off the RV and stepped down.

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