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If she only knew it was purely self-preservation on my part. My resolve is hanging by a thread that's fraying with each passing mile.
“Sounds perfect. I could definitely use a chance to stretch my legs.” She flashes me a smile, clearly surprised by my thoughtful suggestion.
I put the car in park and make my way around to her side, opening the door for her with an exaggerated bow. “After you, m'lady.”
Scarlett rolls her eyes, but I see the grin on her lush mouth.
We stroll along the rocky path leading to the edge of the cliff. The landscape is stunning. But as captivating as it is, it doesn’t compare to the beauty of the enchanting woman walking beside me.
“Wow,” she breathes, awestruck by the sprawling valley painted in a stunning palette of gold and amber. The sun hangs low, its fading rays lending an ethereal glow to the landscape.
I steal a glance at Scarlett's profile, my heart stuttering at the way the light caresses her delicate features—the slope of her nose, the soft curve of her cheek.
In this moment, she looks almost angelic, untouchable. A fierce protectiveness surges through me, tangling with something deeper, something I'm almost afraid to put a name to.
Fuck, I'm in trouble.
Clearing my throat, I pivot to face her fully, a crooked grin tugging at my lips.
“Not a bad detour, right? Teenage me had pretty good taste.” I nod toward the Mustang, the cherry red paint gleaming in the dying light. “I've got a stash of snacks hidden away in there if you're up for making this a real trip down memory lane.”
Her laugh is bright and uninhibited, the sound wrapping around me like a well-worn blanket. “Why am I not surprised you came prepared?”
We amble back to the car, settling onto the sun-warmed hood, our hips and thighs brushing with each subtle shift. Being this close to her is both heaven and hell.
I reach for the cooler beside us, snagging a couple of cold ones. I need the icy glass to chill my overheated skin. I take a long swig, the crisp liquid doing little to quench the burning thirst inside—a thirst that has nothing to do with the stifling summer heat.
My mind is racing. Scarlett's always been the one girl I cared about too much to risk hurting.
The fact I'm entertaining thoughts of her as anything more is a massive violation of bro code. Daniel's protective streak over her has been a constant my entire life. Betraying his trust makes my gut twist.
This thing between us, whatever the hell it is, is off-limits.
And yet, I can’t help myself.
My eyes trail over the elegant line of her throat, the soft swell of her curves beneath that thin sundress. It's a fucking tease, the way the fabric clings and flows, hinting at everything I'm dying to explore.
The reckless part of me wants to push, to see how far I can take this before one of us combusts. But the other part–the part that's terrified of ruining the best thing in my life–knows better.
She catches me staring, a pretty blush coloring her cheeks as our gazes lock. There's a heat there, something molten and wanting.
Dangerous.
Christ, does she have any idea what she's doing to me?
I'm fighting so hard to control myself. Because what I want, is to put her over the hood of my Mustang and fuck her senseless.
Goddammit, this isn't how it was supposed to go. This trip was supposed to clear clear my head, not create another shitstorm.
But with Scarlett close enough to touch, smelling like flowers and sunshine and everything good in this world, I'm starting to wonder if I'm strong enough to resist her.
Or if I even want to anymore.
I stare into the distance and take a long pull from my beer.
Scarlett's laughter is low and sultry. Her nimble fingers trace a path down my chest. Scarlett leans in, tracing the outline of my cock through my jeans, teasingly slow.
Desire zips through my body like electricity as her warm breath tickles my neck.
