Page 61 of Heat & Deceit
“Good. You can drive him home.” He grabs the card. “I’ll be right back with your order.”
“Oh, I don’t...” I trail off, realizing he’s not listening.
Lycus leans close. “Want to?”
“Want to what?” I ask with an exasperated sigh.
“You don’t want to drive me home?” He teeters slightly in his seat. “It’s fine. I’ll walk.”
“I don’t have a car.” Clenching my jaw, I look anywhere but at Lycus. I don’t want to witness the moment he realizes how poor I am. Don’t want to see that pity. Walking is fine with me; I can get where I need to by foot the majority of the time. There are ride services for other situations.
“’sfine. You can drive mine.” Lycus drops a fob with a shiny B on it in front of me.
He owns aBoxley? Those cars cost as much as a house, or more, depending on the neighborhood. There’s no way I can drive one.
“Don’t worry about scratching it.”
“Okay, I have your order, Carmine.” A plastic to-go bag is set in front of me. “And here’s your tab. Don’t forget to sign it, please.” The bartender gives the two of us a once-over. “Don’t let him drive.” He gives me a stern look.
How do I say no to a face like that? I can’t. It’s physically impossible to deny that parent-like severity. “Okay,” I whisper.
“Mmm, Carmine, was this your plan all along? Get me drunk and take me home?” Lycus rests his chin on his hand and beams at me with his drunken smile.
“Don’t make this harder than it has to be,” I warn him, taking the key from the bar top. “Thanks,” I tell the bartender, then turn to Lycus again. “Come on, then, drunky. Let’s get you home.”
* * *
“Oh my god,” I mutter as we approach his car in the parking garage. I knew Boxleys were nice, but I didn’t realize they were this grand. Seriously, the paint looks like it’s pure gold.
Lycus takes the bag from my hand, and before I can protest, he struts to his side, almost like he isn’t even buzzed. When his glassy eyes meet mine over the top of the car, I know he’s toast. We stare at each other for a few moments, neither of us moving until he drops his arm on the roof and rests his chin on it, smirking at me.
“You’re pretty when you’re baffled.”
“Don’t call me pretty.”
“Fine, you’re gorgeous when you’re baffled. Or would you prefer sexy? Both words fit, really.”
“Lycus.” I shake my head and unlock the car, scowling at the alpha.
“Ly. I told you to call me Ly.”
That was before I knew he was my boss. “Get in,Lycus.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.” He slides in with practiced ease.
Me, on the other hand, I hesitantly grab the handle and gingerly pull the door open. Is it heavier than other car doors? Surely not.
It’s only a car, Nova. There’s nothing special about it.
I get in and push the button to turn on the car, and my seat vibrates softly in greeting and the cushion under my butt warms, chasing away the chill. The vibrations continue, and a massage roller works down my back, digging in to all the right places before retreating. The luxuriously soft seat hugs me, and my body fully relaxes into it, despite my earlier apprehension about driving the Boxley.
Okay. It’s not just a car.
Lycus presses a button on the small monitor in the console.” Beginning route to Home,” an automated voice crackles through the speakers, and a map appears with a glowing line lighting up the path I need to take.
“Thanks.”
“Of course. Do you like the car?” Lycus stretches in his seat, settling with his legs spread wide and his arms resting on either side of him. My awareness of him extends beyond our closeness. I hear every breath, notice every miniscule shift in his posture, and I can taste that rich amber scent on the back of my tongue.
