“Damn it.” She gives up, grabs the shoe, fusses with it, then drops her head back.
Neither Bennett nor I have moved or spoken when she looks at us again and says, “Do you have any duct tape or glue or something?”
“Let me see.” I walk toward her to assess why she needs tape. I don’t have any, but I’ll get some, or find another solution.
Streams of sweat roll between her breasts. I drag a finger around my collar. It’s hot today, for sure and the heat index has to have elevated the temperature at least ten degrees. Then there’s the thing Caroline’s doing to me.
“My thong broke.” She holds up the flimsy shoe and sticks her finger through the hole that’s ripped too big to keep the strap in place.
Bennett’s faster and takes her shoe. We look it over, not coming up with a solution.
I’m a lot more focused on my bigger problem though. How do I get rid of Bennett? Or maybe I don’t. Perhaps I was too judgmental about fate. This could turn into an opportunity.
She’s standing awkwardly, barely touching her toe to the ground.
I extend a hand. “Let’s get you off the hot asphalt.”
There’s a pause, and I’m not sure if she’ll take my hand or keep staring at it. I step closer. “Put your arm around me so you don’t burn your foot trying to walk.”
Why the hell does she act like something will happen if she touches me?
“Or I can carry you?” I tease, hopeful to incite her playful side.
A flicker of a smile is quickly replaced by nerves. “You wouldn’t.”
Challenge accepted. With a snap decision, I cradle her against my chest rather than toss her over my shoulder. She flails somewhat unsuccessfully since she has hold of her phone.
I tighten my grip. “Knock it off.” Shit, that was my stern dad voice. Wanting to steer as far away from making her think about my age as possible, I soften my voice, “I’ll set you in my car and we can figure out how to fix your shoe.”
“Fine.” She nestles against me.
Bennett loses interest in the shoe while he gawks at my bigger prize.
One of my arms is wrapped around Caroline’s back, my fingers grazing the side of her breast since she wiggled her outer arm free. My other arm is under her bare legs, and I have a whole new appreciation for sweat. They’re as silky as they were in my dreams. Fuck. She’d been sweaty in my dreams too, from hours of fucking. My dick goes rock hard, straining against my slacks.
It’s not apparent to her yet, but Bennett’s eyes widen. I’m an ass for thinking of her like that. Reminding myself that she’s a real woman who’s already turned me down, I look at her face. What was I thinking? She’s too damn close. Flecks of gold and blue add depth to her bright green eyes.
She jerks her head to the side, making me wonder how long I’d been staring. The gesture lengthens her neck though and when I drag my gaze down her tempting flesh, I end up with an eyeful of her tits, her cleavage amplified with the way I’m holding her.
The pink bra is lacey, adding texture to the smooth material of her tank top. Her nipples are beaded, and I’m surely going to hell for the moment I’m having.
I shove the thoughts of her scent from my mind, but her special mix of soap and perspiration is already embedded.
Forcing myself to take steps toward my car, I set her in the passenger seat then attempt to remove any creeper vibes by returning to the driver’s seat.
“Do you think he’ll be able to fix my shoe?” She glances toward Bennett’s care where he must be scavenging for some way to be the hero and salvage the shoe.
“Probably not. Where were you going?”
She worries her lower lip and I catch the quick flit of her eyes toward the store, which I don’t realize until right now is a liquor store. “Just walking.”
“To the liquor store?”
She rolls her eyes. “Yes.”
“Why were you walking?” It’s blazing hot.” I turn the car on for the air conditioning and motion for her to close her door. It’s the only way I can stop wanting to lick the beads of sweat off her body.
A deep breath delays her answer. “A friend totaled my car. If I want to go anywhere, I have to walk or beg for a ride.”