Page 74 of Forever Finds Us
“Yeah.”
“Here you are, sir,” a young guy said when he returned to the rental car booth and handed me a set of keys. “We’ll see you back here in two days. Drop off time is noon or before.”
“Thank you. Do you have a map of the area? Like an actual paper map in case we lose our cell signal?”
“Yeah, there’s one in the glove box. Complimentary.”
“Thanks,” Roxanne said.
On the lot, we found our silver Jeep Compass and settled in.
“I haven’t rented a car in a long time,” I said.
“No?”
I shook my head. “Tab makes arrangements if I travel, but I’ve been so busy with work, I haven’t really had the time lately. Besides, someone usually picks me up or sends a car.”
“What was it you said? ‘Money talks’? Sounds more like money chauffeurs you around like a princess.”
Laughing, I said, “Yeah, maybe, but you haven’t seen me work. Ain’t no princesses on my job sites.” I ended the sentence with a cocked eyebrow, and Roxanne licked her lips.
“I might like to see that.”
“I bet you would.”
“Quit flirtin’ with me, and let’s go find your brother.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Roxanne
Northern California, between Redding and the coast, looked like we’d driven onto the set of Virgin River.
Aubrey had made me watch it. She liked the heartfelt stories and all the quirky townsfolk in the show. I liked the sex. Or the almost-sex. She’d tried to get me to read the books, too, but I’d only made it through the first one before Brand had come to town and distracted me. But now that I could see the area the books had been set in, I was eager to read more.
Redwoods and fir trees lined two-lane Highway 36, creating a high canopy above the road, casting shadows on the light traffic passing us in the eastbound lane. Spectacular views, high mountain bridges, and small towns interrupted the scenic route every so often, and wooden signs had been stuck into the earth here and there, noting county roads and small businesses.
The weather was cool but sunny, and warm light filtered down to us through the tall trees. Brand wore a pair of sunglasses he’d pulled out of his backpack. He reminded me of James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause, my dad’s favorite movie.
“What’s the plan then?” I asked. “We’re almost to Mad River. If I’m right about the road Evo told us to take, it’s not far past the town.”
“It’s late in the day. I was thinkin’ we should find a hotel and get somethin’ to eat. We can set out early tomorrow mornin’ to find Dixon.”
“Okay,” I said, scrolling my maps app and pulling up lodging options. “How do you feel about yurts?”
“Does it come with granola, or do we need to supply our own?”
I snorted. “Ha ha. But it looks cool. It’s got heat and a private bathroom, and look.” I held my phone between us so Brand could see the screen. “There’s a big window over the bed so we can fall asleep under the stars.”
A slow smile lifted his lips. “I’ll fuck you under those stars. Wait. Are yurts soundproof? It’s basically a big tent, right?”
“I think so. But I’ll just have to whisper ‘yes, sir’ in your ear so no one else will hear.”
He groaned. “Don’t you start with that now, or I’ll put you over my knee for distractin’ me while I’m drivin’.”
“Is that a promise, sir?” I said coyly, and I reached over to unbutton his jeans. I slid my hand inside and grasped his cock tightly. He was hard, and it was an empowering feeling, knowing I had that much control over his body.
“Roxanne.”
