Page 74 of Fourth Wheel

What this girl has done to me this summer is indescribable. The mark she’s left on my spirit—on myheart—has been so unexpected.

I silently adjust her dress and try to clear my head of the heavy feelings that hit every time we share a moment like this. I know our end is inevitable—but I want to feel alive with her for every second until then.

She’ll be gone in less than a month.

But I have her in my arms for now.

“We’re about to move, Mr. Haas,” Glenn announces through the intercom.

I tug on Maddie’s dress to encourage her back into the car, but she peers down at me and pouts.

“I want to stay up here,” she insists, her eyes alight with wonder.

I puff out my cheeks and consider arguing, but to hell with reason and safety when she’s flushed with satisfaction and looking down at me like I’m her whole damn world.

“Brace yourself with both hands and hold on, you hear me?”

She nods and does a little dance that has me half-tempted to hitch up her dress again and have my way with her.

“Slow and steady, Glenn,” I direct through the intercom as I grip Maddie’s waist and hold her tight.

“Yes sir,” he replies, his smile apparent in his voice as the Escalade picks up speed.

Chapter 36

Maddie

Thebeamsoverheadpassin rapid succession.

The sky is ethereal: light pink and orange. Dusty rose and soft coral.

I’ve never felt more secure than I do in this moment, standing out of a panoramic sunroof, nothing holding me to this earth but his grip on my thighs.

I’m flying.

I’m free.

The cables and cords of the bridge blur together as emotion overwhelms me.

This is it. This is the happiest I’ve ever been. If this is the happiest I’ll ever get to be, then I’ll die a satisfied woman.

There is a magic to being in a relationship with this man. From the way he draws pleasure from my body to the way he embraces who I am, I have never felt so seen.

He doesn’t want to change me. He doesn’t want to use me.

He lifts me up. He lets me be.

There is beauty in being seen; in knowing that this man knows the shape of my soul, and that even if given a chance, he wouldn’t change a damn thing.

I’ll never forget this moment.

I’ll never forget this trip.

I’ll never forget this summer or what it was like to be adored by Dempsey Haas.

Chapter 37

Dempsey