Beg You to Trust Me (Lindon U #2)(53)

The girl riding shotgun winces at her epic rejection all those weeks ago.

“But I’m glad you didn’t give it to me,” I admit casually, lifting my shoulder. “It made you stand out. Could’ve done without you running out on me. Have to admit, that habit was a little grating after a while. But I get why you did it. When you told me about the party, about what happened, it made sense. This is where I need you to listen—to really hear me.”

I fist the wheel until my fingers bite with pain. “There isn’t one time when I’ve seen you and haven’t wanted to get you alone, strip you down, and get to know your body on a personal, intimate level. It’s not that I’ve never not wanted to sleep with you, Skyler, I just had my own set of rules to follow through on. But make no mistake. You’re the kind of girl any guy would be fucking lucky to have in any way you’d let them. And what I’m about to say is going to be awkward and you’re probably going to tell me to shut up, but this needs to be said.”

I can hear her suck in a breath and hold it, so I choose not to relent until the words are out in the open. We pass by the airport sign with the short number of miles to get there printed in bold white lettering. “I’m not sure what excuse you’ve concocted in your head about the party, but what happened at it isn’t your fault. What that asshole, whoever the fuck he is, did, should have never happened because you were drinking too much. Everything about that night is on him.”

My fingers hurt from their grip as I force myself to take a deep breath and release it. “You were drunk. Nobody should have taken advantage of a college girl having a good time, even if you’d…said you wanted it in the moment. Even you enjoyed doing things with him. Anyone in that room could’ve seen how wasted you were. I’m not saying that to embarrass you, I’m simply stating facts. Don’t think for a second that I think any less of you because of everything that happened that night. If you gave me the chance, I’d happily replace that night with new memories in any way you’d want me to. Name the time and day and I’m there. Understand me?”

I slow down as we near the exit that’ll take us into the drop off section where I’ll watch the passenger who’s stiff as a board next to me disappear behind closed doors.

There’s a long stretch of time where she doesn’t say a word. Doesn’t move. I’m not sure she’s even breathing properly.

I reach out and gently touch the hand still holding tightly onto the coffee. “Think about it, okay? Maybe getting some sunshine and fresh air away from Lindon will help. I’ll even leave you alone, although I’m sure you’ll miss me.” The last bit is accompanied by a small smirk that she glances at warily.

I pull up to the curb in front of the drop-off section where only a few other cars are unloading at. “So, what do you say? Want me to fuck off or no?”

Her tongue swipes across her lips before her eyes dart toward the window. A guard wearing a yellow reflective vest is walking down the sidewalk, ushering people to move along. It’ll only be a matter of time before she’s telling us to hurry up too.

When Skylar glances back at me, her bottom lip is between her top teeth. Releasing it, she loosens a sigh. “I don’t want you to fuck off, Danny. Not at all. We’re friends.”

It’s something. A start.

“As for everything else you said…” Her eyes dull and I can see her retracting into herself, something I don’t want her doing.

“Just think about it. That’s all I’m asking. No pressure. No expectations.”

The woman in the vest taps the passenger window and makes a gesture to hurry our goodbyes along.

“Danny…” Sky’s voice is small as she puts the coffee mug back into the holder.

I shake my head, stopping her. “Don’t say anything right now. Get that cute ass of yours on the plane, Blondie.”

She blinks.

I smile wider.

She swallows.

Leaning forward, I lean my forehead against hers and move some of her thick hair away from her face. The silky strands fuel a lot of late-night fantasies that may or may not involve a fistful of hair exactly this color in my hand while I’m—

Clearing my throat, I let out a breath and brush her nose gently with mine until I hear the smallest intake of breath. “For the record—” My voice is huskier than I intend. “—I wish it would have been me too. I would have made it so fucking good for you, there would’ve been no way you’d forget.”

I feel her breath against me, sharp and hot, as I lean in. My intention was to peck her cheek in a chaste goodbye, but she moves her head until it’s our lips brushing instead.

We both freeze.

One second.

Two.

Three.

One of my hands flattens against the side of her head, interweaving into her hair, cupping her skull, and absorbing her warmth.

I move back a fraction to gauge her reaction before closing the space between us again deepening the kiss. Her lips part hesitantly, inviting me in, but I don’t dare cross that line. Not yet.

We stay like that, lips caressing one another’s as we breathe each other in.

Sharing oxygen.

Sharing a moment.

She pulls away after a few moments, her eyes looking rattled but not scared.

I can work with that.