Page 88 of A Dirty Business
My lips thinned because this was an easy choice. “He’s a father by blood, but that’s it. I have more emotion about a trash can than I do about him.”
Her eyes were shining, but I didn’t think it was from happiness. An unshed emotion was there. I got a glimpse before she turned her head away again.
She murmured, “I should go.”
“Stay.” I said it quietly.
“Why, Trace?” Her voice broke, hitching on an emotion. “We are literally getting every roadblock thrust in front of us, and where are we? Still here. Still in this vehicle together. We are insane. This is the definition.”
Probably. “A ride, Jess. That’s it. I would like to give you a ride home, and if you want, I’ll bring you back to get your car tomorrow.”
“But why?” she whispered, her head bending down.
“I just want to spend time with you. That’s all. A ride ... it’s extended time with you in a closed-off shelter from the rest of the world. I get you for this little escape, and I’ll take it every fucking day if you’ll give it to me.”
She turned to me, tears in her eyes, and her lips parted. She blinked, still staring at me, but something cleared in her gaze, and she nodded.
Relief broke free in my chest.
I leaned back in my chair, settling in. “We can go.”
The SUV started forward as Jess moved, her arm falling to rest in the seat between us. It grazed mine, and looking down, I saw her hand was half turned toward mine. I glanced up, seeing she was watching me, and as a small smile toyed at her lips, I lifted my hand and took hers.
I held her hand the entire drive to her place.
When we parked, she stared at me long and hard. She took her keys. “Thank you for the ride.”
“Could I give you a ride tomorrow to get your car?”
She paused, but before she got out, she nodded.
I would get to hold her hand again.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
JESS
My alarm went off at six. I smacked it and rolled to my back, slightly panting.
A sex dream.
How old was I? All because he held my hand, and the next morning he held my hand when we went to get my car?
What had I been thinking about, agreeing to that?
I knew. I hadn’t wanted to be strong for one fucking night.
I’d wanted a ride home, but it wasn’t even that. I’d wanted it to be him giving me a ride home. How stupid could I be?
My phone buzzed, and I grabbed it.
Val:Drinks after gun training. You in? Little Micky is transferring. They want to do a send-off the right way.
God, yes. This was perfect. A night with our colleagues.
Me:Fuck. Yes. Where are we drinking?
Val:Bear’s Pub.
