Page 116 of The Persistence of Thornes
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The abandoned drive-in on the edge of town may not seem like the kind of place one brings her boyfriend for quality time, but this is where I always ran when things got tough.
“How’d you find this place?” He reclines the passenger seat a couple of inches now that my brothers aren’t squished in the back.
We dropped them off with friends, so we’ve got a little time to ourselves.
“When I was little and the place was still open, Mom would bring me for two-dollar Mondays.It’s… it’s another good memory. When I was older, I came here, I guess, to remind myself of the good times.”
He probably thinks it’s strange to come here after how the visitation went. I’m still reeling from her downright threat. That’s all it was. She’s not going anywhere for years. Even so, it shook me.
Caleb leans back against the headrest, his hair rustling against the fabric as he turns to face me. I can feel his scrutiny, but I keep my focus fixed on the giant, tattered screen beyond the windshield. I don’t want to look at him right now. I can’t bear to see the sympathy in his eyes. It’ll only cause more tears. For now, I just want to be here with him. I want to exist in this quiet place where it’s just us.
“Do you want to talk about what she said?”
I scoot my seat all the way back and recline it as far as it will go. “No.”
“All right.”
Surprise flutters through me. I was sure he’d push the subject.
We’re quiet for a long moment. Eventually I break the silence by saying, “I hate it here.”
“Why?” he probes.
“This town is the kind of place where dreams go to die. Most people never get out.” I rub at my tired eyes. The mascara I put on this morning is long gone after my crying sesh. Most of it is on Caleb’s shirt. I cringe at the thought.
“You got out. And you got your brothers out too.”
I slowly turn my head. “I did, but did I really take a step up by purchasing that money pit of a house? It was falling apart before it flooded.”
“You’re doing the best you can with what you have. You’re a fighter. It’s how we persist through the hard shit that defines who we are, and from where I’m sitting, you’re pretty fucking tough.”
My heart splits wide open and pure affection oozes out. How is it possible that this man always knows just what to say?
I lay my hand on his smooth cheek, brushing my thumb back and forth.
“Where did you come from, Caleb Thorne?”
Grinning, he puts his hand over mine and drags my palm to his lips, where he places a soft kiss. “The Hawthorne Mills hospital after a fifteen-hour labor and one failed epidural.”
I laugh, surprised at how quickly the weight has eased from my shoulders.
Leaning in, I press my mouth to his.
In return, he palms the back of my neck, pulling me closer and working his mouth against mine. Surprised but suddenly needy for more, I open my mouth and lick into his, savoring the taste of him.
Just as enthusiastic as I am, he tangles his tongue with mine, his chest vibrating as a moan works its way out of him.
The sound alone sends my heart galloping and my core tightening.
“Come here.” He clutches my hips and lifts me from the driver’s seat with ease. When he settles me in his lap, there’s no missing the ridge of his cock at my apex. Gasping, I rock my hips against him, helpless to stop. My hair forms a darkcurtain around us, making it feel as though we’re the only people left in this world.
Caleb slows the kiss, like we have all the time in the world and not like we’re making out like teenagers in the abandoned drive-in parking lot.
My body aches for his. We haven’t had a chance to fool around, let alone have sex, since last weekend. Between work and my brothers, it’s been next to impossible to find time for anything more than a kiss every now and then.
I’ve got him all to myself for the next while, so why not take advantage?
