The Lies Between Us (The Devil's Dust #4)(15)

I climb on the back and wrap my arms around him, his fresh scent strong and refreshing first thing in the morning. The bike starts and the vibration rocks me. The sun is bearing down on my skin and the wind picks up, throwing my hair everywhere. I close my eyes and fly.

***

I climb off the bike and hand Lip his helmet.

“Well, it’s been fun.” I laugh sheepishly, obviously terrible at this. Lip chuckles and takes the helmet.

“Yeah. It’s been surprising; that’s for sure.”

“What’s that mean?” I tilt my head to the side.

“I just…” Lip looks out at the traffic of the freeway. “I wasn’t expecting someone as cool as you, is all.”

I smile and give him a soft punch in the arm. “You’re such a softie.”

Lip’s face goes serious, and he flexes his arm. “I’m not soft. Think you figured that out last night.” He winks and I roll my eyes. I knew he was poking me in the ass on purpose.

“Okay, stud muffin, I’ll see you around.”

“Bet your ass you will.” He starts the bike, and I head back to my car. My car that holds my broken dreams and heartache.

Lip flies past me, the smell of exhaust the only thing of him left. I unlock the door and roll down the windows; it’s hot as hell in the car. I plop down in the seat and blow a breath of air into my cheeks.

“Guess I’ll pick a different freeway, see if I can pickpocket some clueless bastard.” Another day, another wallet, or watch. I’m not sure where this will get me, but I’m also not looking at the bigger picture—just the here and now. Surviving, trying to live. If I’m dead, I’ll never be able to save Piper.

***

A loud knock wakes me and I jump from the front seat, my face stinging from the imprint of the shirt I used as a pillow on my face. The knocking sounds again and my head whips to the driver’s side window, the laundromat sign that was on when I went to sleep is now turned off. I rub at my eyes and lower my head to look out the window. It’s Lip. Shit! I roll the window down, a breeze of fresh air taking my breath away.

“So, where does your brother sleep?” Lip questions sarcastically. I roll my eyes and look out the front of the windshield. Lip darts his hand through the window and unlocks the door.

“How did you find me?” I ask, stepping out.

“Do you know how hot it is outside, not to mention in a f*cking car with the windows rolled up?” I cross my arms, feeling like a scorned child. “You are a woman, and a sexy one at that. A guy sees you sleeping in there by yourself, you’re putting yourself at risk!” he hollers, then pushes me to the side and leans into my car.

“What are you doing?” I try to look around him, but he’s so broad, he takes up most of the front. He draws back out of the car, my purse and clothes in his hands.

“Enough of this shit. You’re coming to live with me.” He stomps past me and throws my things in his saddlebags.

“Lip!” I follow after him, my bare feet burning along the asphalt. “I’m not going with you. I’m fine. I-I don’t even know you, Lip. Hell, you don’t even know me. You can’t just walk into my life and demand—”

“You’re coming with me.” His words are stern, contradicting his behavior and vibe the whole time I’ve known him. The intensity coming off him makes me nervous. He’s obviously a control freak.

“And if I don’t?” I ask, my voice shaky.

“You will if I have to put you on the bike myself.” I cross my arms, my eyes burning with the urge to cry. Lip lets out a long sigh. He slowly steps up to me, both of his hands grabbing my elbows softly. “Let me take care of you-”

“I don’t need you to take care of me,” I interrupt. He lifts his hand and trails the pad of his finger along my jaw line and my skin tingles, my heart beating faster.

“No, but you want me to,” he breathes heavily. My eyes flick to his, the depth of his brown eyes consuming me, devouring me, claiming me. “You’re strong and can take care of yourself; I get that. But if something happened to you, I’d blame myself knowing I could have done something—”

“I don’t need your sympathy, Lip. I can stay at—”

“Your brother’s, right. I remember you saying something about that before,” he sneers. “You’re coming with me one way or another. I’ll tow this damn car with you in it if I have to, so just agree and make this easier on both of us.” I turn my head and look at the closed laundromat, my vision blurry, dizzy from dehydration. I do need help or this heat is going to kill me. He obviously isn’t going to hurt me or he would have last night. Maybe a little reprieve from this heat will help me figure out a new plan.

“Trust me,” he mutters, his voice rough. My eyes shoot to his, his words searing through my resolve. I want to walk away, but the energy coming from him, that magnetic pull I can’t seem to escape, has me stilled. I’m like a butterfly attracted to a warm light, a light that shows the path of possibility. Hopefully, that light doesn’t burn me in the end, and possibly turn me into ashes. I’m not sure I can take any more heartache.

“Okay,” I whisper. “I’ll follow you to your house.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, a sharp pain stabs at my chest. I am going to get hurt in the end. I just know it. He obviously wants more, but I’ll eventually have to tell him about my daughter and he’ll want nothing to do with me. Then this f*cking car and I will be alone again.