Page 44 of Vapor

“You sound so sure of it.”

“I am. A woman like you won’t stay single long.”

He pulls over to the side of the road. The single headlight that has been following us stops a few yards behind my car.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“This is as far as I can go. I can’t be in your car. Someone could be waiting for you. Do you know what you’re going to say if anyone realizes you were gone?” He rests his arm over the back of my seat and looks at me.

“I’ll tell them I needed feminine products.”

“Smart. No one will question that.”

“Exactly.”

His gaze drops to my lips. I lean toward him, wanting to feel his mouth against mine. When our lips meet, molten heat fills my entire body. I part my lips, luxuriating in the way his tongue tangles with mine.

Moaning, I reach for him, pulling him closer. I’ve never wanted to be this close to anyone before. If Ice wasn’t waiting for him, I might even be bolder. But we’re not really alone, so that’s my excuse for not crossing the line with Vapor.

When he finally breaks the kiss, I sigh.“When will I see you again?”

“Give me your phone.” I do, and he punches his number in then sends a text to his phone.“Now you can call me day or night. It’s always on.”

“I want to see you again.” I gaze up at him with longing.

“You will. We’re not done. Not at all.” He cups my cheek before brushing another soft kiss over my lips.“When you get safely inside, text me. We’re not leaving until I know you’re safe.”

“Thank you.”

“Be careful. Your father and Broussard will stop at nothing to protect their empires.”

“I know, which is why I wanted to warn you.”

“Night, Blue.”

“Night, Vapor.”

I get out and go around to the driver’s side. Vapor holds the door open. Before I get in, I hug him, pressing my face into his chest.

“Text me,” he murmurs before releasing me.

“I will.”

Driving up the road to the garage, I scan the darkness. I turned the headlights off when I got close enough, but there’s still a chance someone heard the motor.

I park the car in the spot I took it from, then head into the house. Standing at the bottom of the stairs, I listen. Nothing stirs.

Carefully picking my way up the stairs, I avoid the spots that I know creak. I’m halfway down the hall when the door to my father’s bedroom opens. Pauline, our housekeeper, steps out of the room, completely oblivious to me.

After softly closing his door, she starts to tiptoe away. Then her head raises, and she spots me. She freezes. I quickly put my finger to my lips. Her eyes widen, but she nods in unspoken agreement. I won’t say anything if she doesn’t.

I’m not a fool. Any time my mother goes out of town on one of her month-long trips, I know she’s cheating. My father’s just as bad, banging anything that moves the minute she’s gone. I don’t understand their marriage, but I know I don’t want mine to be anything like it. I crave loyalty and fidelity. Someone I can spend the rest of my life loving.

At this point, I doubt my parents even like each other, let alone love one another. It’s sad, but they seem to have mutually agreed on the arrangement. However, I don’t want to embarrass Pauline. It’s not her fault that my father’s a womanizing jerk. I’m confident she’ll keep my secret because I’m going to keep hers.

When I’m safely inside my bedroom, I lock the door and pull my phone out. I shoot a quick text to Vapor to let him know I made it home. Then I pad over to the window and glance at the road in the distance. I spot a single headlight making a U-turn before disappearing into the darkness.

Chapter 11: Vapor

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