We stay that way for so long that we begin to sweat together. Neither of us cares. She lays her head on my chest. Her bent knee creeps onto my leg. It seems automatic to take her bare thigh in my grip and pull her closer. The slow motion of the buggy rolls our bodies rhythmically against each other. She probably feels every inch of my reaction to having her so close. I’m harder than I ever fucking remember. Sophie is lost in her own fear, and I’m a heel for even wanting her right now, much less entertaining the thoughts of sex that keep creeping in. But I can’t help it. She’s stunning. Wanting her is agonizing.
I grit my teeth and suffer in silence.
Finally, Dustin slows the horse-drawn wagon. “There’s a group of cops ahead. What do you want me to do?”
“Stay under the blanket,” I murmur to Sophie, then cautiously peek out.
Just like he said, we’re a hundred feet from the barricades originally set for the parade. They’re not allowing any vehicles in or out. Fuck.
“Get us as close as you can without attracting attention. I’ll handle the rest.”
“Okay.”
Moments later, the cart rolls to a stop. It’s nothing Dustin says or does, but I feel his panic. “They’re staring.”
And he doesn’t know what to do. Any moment, they’ll approach and tell him he can’t go through the barricade without being interrogated. I can’t claim that either Sophie or I need medical attention. They’ll rustle up an EMT, who will debunk our excuse for leaving the area.
I have to come up with a Plan B.
“What’s going on?” Sophie asks from under the blanket.
“You better now?”
“Somewhat. Thanks. Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. We have a problem. We have to get away from here fast…and I only have one idea how.”
“What?”
Maybe it’s because I have sex on the brain, but… “Just play along, okay?”
Then I flip the blanket down to her waist, haul her up against my chest, and kiss her.
She stiffens at first, sucking in a shocked little breath. Then she softens and opens to me, one breath, one moment at a time. Because she remembered our situation? Or because she likes it? I can’t mind-fuck myself by answering that question. Right now, I have to focus on getting her to safety.
But it’s so hard not to press deeper onto the softness of her pillowy red lips. Jesus, they’re like a cushion for my questing mouth. She’s a temptation I can’t resist.
It’s overkill for the situation, but I nudge her lips apart and sink inside. Then I step even farther over the line and go deep.
Holy shit.
Sophie is so sweet. I detect a hint of cherry flavor I can’t help but chase with my tongue. She’s sensual as she conforms her lips to the press of mine. As she opens to me, welcoming me, gripping my shoulders with a breathy moan, I grab her tighter, pull her closer, sink completely into her waiting mouth, desperate to be inside her.
“There a problem?” I hear a deep, unfamiliar voice ask.
“Um…” Dustin croaks. “I was just giving a ride to these folks who, ah…”
“Want some privacy,” I say as I reluctantly twist myself from Sophie’s lush lips and bury her too-familiar face in my shoulder. “Can we get by? Please, man. Please.”
He sends me a disapproving stare. “Did you see the shooting? Or anyone suspicious?”
“No. I was, um…involved with my girlfriend.” I cradle Sophie’s head, covering her face.
“You got any ID?”
I pretend to pat my pockets, then huff. “Son of a bitch. I left my wallet in my car.”
“What about your girlfriend? She got her driver’s license?”
Sophie wisely shakes her head but doesn’t lift it or say a word. Instead, she pretends interest in me, trailing her lips up my neck.
It’s all I can do to keep my head in the game and not shudder in pleasure. But I feel her touch all the way down my spine.
“She didn’t bring a purse.” I curl my arms around her again. “Dude, really. I just want to be alone with my girl. You know how it is. C’mon… If I knew anything, I’d tell you.”
The young cop takes in the fact I have a half-dressed blonde on my lap and sighs as he turns to his fellow officers. “Let ’em through.”
As the other cops start to move the barricades, I settle my cheek against Sophie’s. “We’re almost out of here.”
“Thank you.” Her voice shakes.
At the fear in her reply, the boil cools from my blood. I feel like such an asshole for wishing I could take her to bed.
You can’t. Suck it up. Do your job. She’s a client.
Unfortunately, she feels like more than that.
It seems to take forever, but Dustin clicks at the horse and slaps the reins, finally hauling us from the scene. I keep Sophie curled against me until we’re past the cops and heading toward my truck.