Page 76 of Mr. Edwards

He raises an eyebrow, challenging me. “Yes, you are. It’s rude to give back a gift.” Placing the key fob he’s holding into my hand, he curls my fingers around it, like it’s a done deal. “Let’s take her for a spin.”

Grr.He’s such a caveman sometimes.

Reluctantly I walk around the driver’s side. “Just because I’m letting you force me into taking it for a drive, doesn’t mean I’m keeping it.”

“Fight it all you want, but I have every confidence you’ll change your mind once you get behind the wheel.”

“You’re delusional if you think that.”

He comes up behind me, sliding his arm around my waist and pulling my back into his front. He swoops my hair to the side and places a kiss in his second favorite spot, just under my ear. “Nah, I’m just a man in love with his girl,” he whispers against my skin, making me swoon.

Grayson opens the driver’s side door, gesturing for me to get in. The first thing I’m hit with is the smell of new leather. Once I’m seated inside, my eyes are everywhere. The interior is a stylish combination of red and black, perfectly matching the outside. She is lovely, it’s a shame I can’t keep her.

Once Grayson is seated beside me, he starts going over the features of the car. Most of it goes straight over my head, but I’m still engrossed in his enthusiasm. Heknows what he’s talking about; it’s so dang hot I have to fan myself as I listen to him.

“I’m nervous,” I say, once the engine purrs to life. Did I mention it’s a push start… no key?

“Don’t be. Just enjoy the ride.”

Fancy-smancy.

“The only rides I enjoy are the ones I take on you.”

He reaches over to squeeze my thigh. “You can take me for a test drive when we get back.”

“Oh, I plan to. You’re so getting laid.”

He chuckles as I tentatively put the car into drive and start moving at a snail’s pace. “Babe, I’ve seen you drive; I know you can go faster than this.”

“I’m scared. What if I ding it or something?”

“It’s just a car, Carlee, don’t worry about it.”

“Just a car? To you maybe. I’m not used to fancy things.”

I turn onto Beach Drive, still going well below the speed limit. The car behind us honks his horn, making me jump.

“You’re going to have to go a little faster,” Grayson says, suppressing a grin.

I cautiously take a right onto 10thStreet and then a left onto Hermosa Avenue. There’s no set route planned; I’ll just drive around until I’ve had enough, or until Grayson tells me to stop… or I crash.Shit.I hope I don’t crash.

“Open her up,” Grayson encourages as we get a break in the traffic.

I do as he instructs, putting my foot down a little harder, and the nerves are soon replaced by a thrill. It drives like a dream. The top’s down, the wind is in my hair, and there’s a huge smile on my face. This car puts my little Red Rocket to shame, but I’m still not keepingher.I can’t.One day I’ll save enough money to get myself a decent ride, but that day isn’t today.

Grayson knew exactly what he was doing when he encouraged me to take it for a spin. He’s cunning like that. I’ve never driven anything like this before, and I’m pretty sure that was his motive.

“She’s a beauty, isn’t she?”

“Yeah, she is,” I admit, sighing.

“You’re going to keep her right?”

My eyes leave the road to glance in his direction. I shake my head and he unleashes his infamous puppy dog eyes. I’m a sucker for those big mint chocolate orbs at the best of times. He doesn’t play fair.

“Grayson.”

“Carlee.” He reaches across the center console, placing his hand on my leg. When his fingers inch their way under my skirt, I squirm in my seat. “Do you know how fucking hot you look driving this?” He uses his other hand to adjust the bulge in his pants. “I’m so hard right now. I have a good mind to make you pull over so I can have my way with you right here on the side of the road.”