Page 19 of Rhythm Of Redemption

“Lower your voice,” she whispered sharply, cutting off his words.

“It's five-thirty in the morning,” he retorted, his voice reduced to a mere breath. “I doubt anyone else is up at this ungodly hour.”

As her fingers tightened around the door handle, she opened it just enough to slide into the seat, ensuring minimal sound. With a gentle click, she closed the door. “How do you know that?”

“Because it’s five-thirty in the morning,” he replied, tugging the passenger door open and shutting it with a sharp snap. “And no sane person is up at this ridiculous hour.”

Lou shot him an icy glare and turned the key in the ignition. “Did you have to slam the door?” Frustration welled up inside her as she turned the key again, only to be met with a disheartening silence. Great, that’s all I need. She turned to him expectantly.

“What-” he began, his loud voice triggering her irritation.

“For the love of God, can you please lower your voice?” she hissed. “You’ll have to get out and push,” she urged, her eyes fixed on him, demanding action. “Well?”

His eyes widened in disbelief. “Seriously?” he whispered back, disbelief colouring his tone. “Don't you have another car we can use?”

Another car? A bitter laugh escaped her lips. She could barely afford to keep this old beat-up jalopy on the road. “Oh, you mean my Porsche?” she retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “The one I keep for special occasions.” She shot him a scathing glare. “What planet do you live on? Do I look like I can afford two cars to you? You’ll have to get out and push.”

“Isn’t there someone you could call?” he queried, his voice tinged with optimism. “Like breakdown cover?”

“And risk waking Dani? I don’t think so,” she dismissed, her tone resolute. “Now, either you get out and push, or you walk home.”

He opened his mouth to speak, but she silenced him with a look.

“Fine,” he muttered begrudgingly, stepping out of the vehicle. Judging by the tone of his voice, it was anything but fine. Nothing about this situation was fine and the sooner she got rid of him, the better. What example was she setting for her teenage daughter by having men stay over? A very bad one.

Releasing the handbrake, Lou maintained pressure on the brake pedal to keep the car from rolling down the small slope. She smoothly shifted into second gear, giving Logan the green light to push. As she eased off the brake, the car glided forward; the engine engaging with a satisfying rumble. A sense of relief washed over her as she heard the engine come to life. “Quick, get in.”

Pausing briefly at the end of the driveway, she carefully checked for oncoming traffic before merging onto the road. “I’m sorry about earlier. It’s just that I don’t want to send the wrong message to Dani. I don’t want her to think it’s okay to … you know.”

“It’s okay, I get it,” he replied seriously. “I mean, what would she think if she found out we’d spent the night together having hot, sweaty sex?”

A tidal wave of shame engulfed her. “Oh my god, stop,” she pleaded, shooting him a desperate look before returning her attention to the road. This had been such a mistake.

“What kind of example are you setting her?”

The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, pricking at her conscience. He was right. She was a slut. She barely knew him, but that hadn’t stopped her from throwing herself at him like some sex-starved hussy, had it?

“Sneaking strange men out in the early hours.”

Right again. After all the lectures she’d given Dani about getting to know a person before rushing into any kind of physical relationship. She wasn’t just a slut; she was also a hypocrite.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’d be more than up for it if you wanted to do it again.”

A bead of perspiration formed on her brow. Was it her imagination, or was it unusually hot for this time of day?

“And next time.” His eyes sparkled mischievously. “I promise I’ll make less noise, although, if you want to talk about noise, you might want to keep the screaming down.”

“What?” The weight of regret settled upon her shoulders. Why hadn’t she let him leave with Ty? Or sent him packing in a taxi last night?

“All that yes, yes, yes …” was his playful response.

The game was up. Now she knew he was lying. “Oh, ha ha,” she said, amused and annoyed all at once. “You think you’re so funny, don’t you?”

“It has been said-”

Her words cut through the air like a knife, slicing through the lingering ambiguity between them. “Look,” she asserted, her voice tinged with determination, needing him to understand that what had happened between them had been a one-off and completely out of character for her. “About last night.”

With a deliberate twist of his body, he shifted in his seat, directing his full attention towards her. Folding his arms across his chest, he cocked a brow and watched her with an amused expression. “Yes?”

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