Page 104 of Drive

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Think you can roll us home?”

“Doubtful, mine are going numb, too,” I said. “Please take them off.”

Pulling up his boxers, he picked up one skate and placed it on his thigh, unlacing it before he removed the other.

“This was without a doubt the strangest music to have sex to. You’re such a weirdo.”

I laughed as the Electric Light Orchestra sang “I’m Alive”.

“You will love it, eventually.”

“I guess I better get used to it,” he whispered as he massaged my foot before he gripped my hand, helping me into a sitting position. We had destroyed his desk and papers were strewn everywhere.

He slid my dress over my arm, leaving hot, tongue-filled kisses on my breasts and neck before he covered them up. He pulled the dress so it covered my lap.

“This was not asexsoundtrack. It turned into one because of you, you horny old man.”

He gently gripped my chin. “I’m going to go clean up.”

“K.”

“Don’t sit here and think woman thoughts, okay? You’re taking the right side tonight.”

I bit my lip and nodded with a smile. He went to the bathroom, and I straightened myself out and refastened my panties. I sorted through the paperwork and was close to putting it in some sort of order when I felt his arms slide around me. “That was some first kiss.”

“It was,” I said, turning to face him. It never failed. I always hitched my breath a little at the sight of him. I hoped that never stopped. “I meant it, you know. It’s been a crazy year, and I’ve been all over the place, but I’ve done nothing but think about what you said to me for days.”

“Stella, if you think there’s a fucking chance in hell I’m letting you get away after that, you’re crazier than the lady who just roller skated into my office.”

“Same lady,” I said with a lip twitch. “It was a fantasy of mine. I figured if you went for it, you’d be worth a shot.”

“Best Halloween ever,” he said with a grin.

“I brought you some candy.”

He swept his lips across mine. “Just keeps getting better.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

“Trouble”

Coldplay

NEW YEAR’S EVE

“I wish I was there to kiss you,” Nate said, his voice full of regret.

“Yeah, well, you suck,” I teased. “It’s fine, Nate. Paper comes first. It has to.”

I dug myself deeper into the couch as I watched the ball drop.

“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six . . .” we said together as we rang in the new year. He was in Chicago meeting with some ad execs and wanted to get a head start on introductions before his meetings. He was courting them while I was left to pine for him on my couch. I hadn’t given him a single ounce of crap for it. He was taking care of both of his women in some capacity.

“Did you feel that kiss?”

“I’m eating a donut, so no,” I said with a chuckle.