Page 46 of Endurance
“Took a personal day.”
“Nice. What are you going to do with it?”
My eyes trail down Tanner’s body. “After a shower to wash the stink off, I’m sure I can think of a couple of things.”
Tanner shoots me a mock-surprised look. “Why, Dr. Ryan, are you hitting on me?”
A ring stops me from responding. Tanner strides over to his jeans in a heap on the floor and pulls out his mobile.
“Hiya, Vi,” he says, walking back over to the bookcase to replace the drawing. “Yes, I did realise that was the match this weekend…No, I haven’t talked to him about it yet…I don’t know. He seemed fine last night I guess…No, Gareth hasn’t called. Gareth never calls…I agree with Hayden. You shouldn’t go, it’s too far…Sure, I’ll stop by later…Okay, bye.”
“Family problems?” I ask.
He shakes his head from side to side. “Sort of. Camden and our older brother, Gareth, are playing each other on Saturday.”
“Oh, that’s right! Arsenal and Man U rivalry is pretty epic.”
His brows lift. “Yeah, Vi’s concerned. She wants to go, but she’s way too pregnant to travel that far. She’s just mother-henning like she always does.”
Tanner sighs and flops down on the bed beside me, staring up at the ceiling, obviously deep in thought.
Not sure how to help, I say the first thing that comes to mind. “Would it help if you went?”
He frowns and side-eyes me. “I don’t need to go.”
“Why not? You’re off. It sounds like your brothers could use some support. It’s the perfect time to go.”
“I’d have to see if Gareth has dumped his tickets yet, then find a hotel. I bet the trains are all full. Everybody and their dog will be at this match.”
“Can’t you stay with your brother?”
“Yeah.” He shrugs sullenly. “I guess.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll drive.”
He turns to look at me. “You want to go to the match?”
“An Arsenal and Man U game? Hell yes. I’m a Devils fan through and through. I thought you knew!”
He gives me a look like I’ve just committed treason, but then glances down at my breasts and redirects his thoughts. “Let’s get you in that shower.”
“I’M DRIVING,”ISAY TOBelle, walking up to her car as she parks along the side of the road by my flat. Her window is down and she looks at me like I’m deranged as I toss my suitcase in the backseat and move to open her door.
Her jaw is dropped. “It’s my bloody car. You’re not driving!” She closes the door.
“I’m not going to have you driving in the dark for five hours, woman. End of.” I open it again.
“Well, you’re the one who changed the plans from leaving tomorrow morning to tonight instead. I was perfectly fine with leaving early tomorrow.”
I exhale. Everything with Belle is a confrontation. She can’t just follow the simplest instructions.
“I want to beat the traffic and have a lie in tomorrow. You haven’t seen Gareth’s house. Trust me, you’ll thank me for this.” I head nod for her to get out.
“Well, I can still drive! I’m not some meek female who can’t handle the treacherous motorways without my girdle. Fuck off. I’m driving.” She closes the door.
Shaking my head, I rip it open again, unbuckle her seatbelt, and pull her out. I do my best to ignore the hateful words spewing out of her mouth as I walk her over to the passenger side. When she’s still moaning on and on about what an arrogant prat I am, I spin on my heel and shove her hips back until her arse is pressed up against the door. My fingers bite into the arc of her hip bone, pinning her to the vehicle. I drop my mouth into the same breathing space as hers and she still won’t stop.
With a frustrated growl, I mesh my lips with hers. She lets out a whimper of surprise but catches up quickly and returns my kiss with vigour. My tongue swirls deeply between her lips, aching to taste more than just her mouth but knowing this will have to do for now. She pulls me to her so our bodies are flush together. I swear our pulses synchronise because the whir of traffic around us goes silent and all I can hear is the pounding of my heart inside my chest.
