Page 56 of Crushing Clover

We went back to the truck as the wind picked up, whipping our hair around as though it were an Olympic sport. My legs and feet were chilled. I was glad the hoodie almost reached my knees.

“It’s pretty here when it’s not freezing. Maybe it wasn’t the best day to show you.”

“It’s still pretty. Thank you for bringing me.”

He helped me back into the truck and started it, cranking the heat to high and turning on my seat heater. I hadn’t realized my teeth were chattering until then.

“I hope I didn’t give you frostbite.”

“Even if I lose a few fingers, it won’t interfere with my household tasks,” I said dryly.

“Damaging a communal possession is sacrilege.”

“Possession?” I arched a brow.

“Don’t you like being our little toy?”

It would sound creepy or shitty coming from almost any other man, but from him, it only made me roll my eyes.

With a wry smile, he took both of my hands in his.

“What are you doing?”

He shoved my hands inside his T-shirt and grimaced at how cold they were.

“Jeez, woman! You’re freezing.”

I opened my mouth to say something silly and suggestive, but shyness won out.

“Huh. Dirty girl. I saw what crossed your mind.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You were going to proposition me as a way to warm up.”

“I was not!”

“I’m used to women throwing themselves at me, remember? I can always tell.” He moved my hands on his chest so that my fingers glided over the hard muscles under his shirt.

“My hands aren’t even that cold anymore,” I pointed out.

“Good. Are you going to warm mine up next?”

“I’m not going to like this at all, am I?”

“I don’t know. Let’s find out together.”

He moved his seat back and dragged me sideways onto his lap. It was an awkward, tight fit, and I sat still, the stick shift digging into the back of my knee.

“There. That’s better.”

“You’re going to use me as a blanket?”

He slid a frigid hand between my knees and brushed his icy fingertips up the inside of my thigh. My breath caught, and I fought the urge to snap my legs closed.

“Spread your knees for me, gorgeous.” The way he was looking at me made me feel a little lightheaded. “That’s a good girl,” he said as I complied. He pushed up my dress, and when he asked me to straddle him, I cooperated. It would have been awkward enough to post on TikTok, but we eventually managed.

He slipped his fingers into the leg hole of my underwear, and I gasped at his frigid touch.

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