Page 79 of Mr. Edwards

“I know, sunshine,” he groans, throwing back his head as the pleasure takes over. “I know.”

We’re still in bed, neither of us wanting to get up. I’m snuggled into his side, wrapped in his warmth. My head is resting on his chest as I listen to the steady rhythm of his heart.

“I want to talk about the car you bought me,” I say, breaking the silence.

“I thought we already went over this.”

I lift my head so I can see his face. “Hear me out.”

He exhales a long, drawn-out breath. “You’re keeping it, Carlee.”

“Okay, but I have some conditions.”

“And they are?”

“You let me give you whatever money I get from the sale of my old car.”

“I’m—”

“I’m not finished,” I say, cutting him off. “And we formulate a payment plan for the balance. I’ll probably only be able to afford fifty dollars a week, but if I pick up some extra shifts, I may be able to give you more.”

“I’m not taking your money, Carlee.”

“Well, I’m not taking the car. It’s that simple.” I roll onto my back in frustration, staring up at the ceiling.

“Jesus Christ, woman,” he says, growling as his hand scrubs over his face.

“You either agree to my terms or the deal’s off.”

“Shit.” He sighs in defeat because he knows I won’t back down on this. It’s the only way I’ll accept his gift. “Fine. But I’m going to put whatever money you give me away for any future expenses you may have, like registration and insurance.”

I open my mouth to protest when his phone pings. “Saved by the bell,” I hear him mumble.

He holds up his finger to halt me from speaking as he reaches over to retrieve his phone from the bedside table. I poke him in the side.

His brow furrows as he rolls onto his back and reads the message on the screen. “It’s from Ashton,” he says as his thumbs start to type a response.

“Is everything okay?”

“I don’t know. He asked if I could go and get Emma from the hospital.”

“The hospital?” I screech, sitting up and snatching his cell from his hand so I can read the messages for myself.

Ashton:Can you do me a favor? Can you come to Ami South Bay Hospital and pick up Emma?

Grayson: Is everything okay?

Ashton: I have to leave, but she’s going to need a ride home.

Grayson: What the fuck man!

Ashton: I’ll explain later. Can you come and get her or not?

Grayson: On my way.

“If he’s hurt her, he’s a dead man,” I say, handing Grayson his phone, and rising from the bed.

“He wouldn’t hurt her, Carlee… well not physically anyway.”