I stilled, not moving a muscle as dread wracked through my body, and my imagination went wild, trying to figure out who or what was behind me.
It was faint but constant, and pain sliced its way through my jaw and neck as a scream filled my throat.
Tears welled, and I couldn’t believe I’d been so stupid.
I’d forgotten to lock the back doors.
I opened my mouth, getting ready to cry out and lunge for the door, but then his voice was in my ear.
“Hey, Little Devil,” he whispered.
I gasped, the nickname and his hushed tone registering in one powerful, overwhelming blow, and I almost sobbed with happiness.
Are you kidding me?
All of a sudden, he reached forward and took me in his arms, hauling me into the back seat. I shot my hands behind me, touching his face—the sharp nose and angular jaw—grazing the scars on his scalp, and burying my nose in his neck. Freshly showered. As always.
“Oh, my God.” I pressed my forehead into his cheek, holding him close. “Where have you been?”
He didn’t answer, just held me in his lap, in his arms.
I closed my eyes and exhaled, feeling like I was letting out two years of breath. He was here. He was alive and hadn’t forgotten about me.
But…
I sat up and turned around, straddling him in the backseat and grabbing him by the collar of his hoodie.
“You scared the shit out me,” I told him.
“Yeah, I do that.”
Yeah, lots of people liked to do that in this town.
I wanted to be mad, but a laugh escaped, and I couldn’t be angry. He was here, and he got rid of Miles and Astrid.
Keeping hold of him, I dipped my forehead to his, reveling in the feel of him.
He took my upper arms in his hands and held me. “What were you doing with them?” he asked sternly.
I stayed right where I was, our lips an inch away. “You were the one following them?”
He nodded. “I show up to see you again, and when I do, I see you getting in a car with another man.”
“Yeah, that’s a good stretch,” I said, smarting off. “There were two other girls in the car, too. I thought I was safe.”
Releasing his collar, I glided my hands around his neck, feeling the same warm, smooth skin. He remained still, almost rigid, as I stayed there, holding him and breathing him in.
Slowly, his hands left my arms, his touch drifting down, to my waist, digging his fingers in just slightly. Heat settled between my legs, and I bit my lip to keep my breathing under control.
“Did you do something I’m going to make you regret?” he whispered.
Make me regret?
“Jealous?” I teased.
But Miles and Astrid were far away now. Barely a concern. Tomorrow, I’d tell my mom what happened, but right now, I had all I wanted in this car.
I touched his neck, trailing my fingers to his collarbone, and hovered over his mouth, playing with the tiny space of breath between us.