Page 108 of Till The Sun Dies (Checkmate 2)

“Okay.” I watch as he stares into her eyes, before turning around and leaving them in peace. “He’ll like that, Blondie. He had the hots for you, anyway.”

One second, I’m trying to ignore the couple in the back, give them their privacy, and pretend my sort-of-little-sister isn’t doing indecent things with a criminal. And the next, Laine’s hand lands on my thigh and nearly rockets my heart through my chest.

My eyes shoot to hers. “Um–”

“Can you open these?” The weight of a candy bag in my lap becomes apparent. “I can’t do it one handed, and Jess’ hands are full.”

I throw my head back like she hit me. “Ew.”

She snickers. “You’re right, that was gross. It was funny while it was funny, then it was gross but I was already committed. By then, we’d come too far.”

“Way too far.” Pretending my leg isn’t on fire from her touch, I tear the bag open and close my eyes when it explodes and candy lands all over the seat.

“Good job, Alesi.” Giggling, she snatches up a piece and shoves it into her mouth. She chews like a cow; mouth wide, stupid smile, in love with the open road and her life. “Here, catch.” She picks up a piece and tosses it at my face.

“What the fuck?” I laugh when it bounces off my cheek and lands back where it started. “Don’t throw food at me!”

“You were supposed to catch it! Try again.” One handed, she drives and prepares her second shot. Watching me, the road, me, she chews her candy and tosses the next piece.

It catches the wind above the windshield and whips into the backseat.

Laine dissolves into a puddle of giggles when it hits a squealing Jess. Sliding her hand over the seat between us, Laine fists enough candy to keep me going for weeks and dumps it in my lap.

Right on top of my cock.

“There you go. Eat up. Its your favorite kind.”

I think this trip might kill me.

I thought about it all week. Wondered. Watched. Wished. But now that it’s here, I wonder if I made the biggest mistake of my life – going on this vacation with her, where her brother isn’t here to chaperone and no one is being the responsible adult – I’m terrified this trip might be a breeding ground for bad choices, and if I drop the ball for even one second, if I kiss her plump lips even once when they’re so near and inviting, I might break her.

I might break us.

What’s worse than not being with Laine?

Losing her forever.

Suddenly, the friend-zone doesn’t seem so bad.

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