Page 47 of Penalty Shot

While she’s texting and walking, she says, “Randall Haughland, you just made sure her favorite charity got an expansion for their art room whilesimultaneouslygiving her the trip of a lifetime. Nothing impresses Geraldine Chen more than someone who is generousandefficient. You’re in her good books for a long while.”

Guiding her to the glass doors, I feel the night’s chill. “Should we get your coat?”

“We’re just going for a drive. I’ll grab my coat later.”

Right. A drive. As much as I want to, I’m not taking this incredible woman home. No need to gather her things like she’s staying overnight. I hide my disappointment with a curt nod.

I open the passenger door for her once the valet fetches my car. The tempting rise of her skirt as she slips into my Corvette Stingray is for my eyes only.

When we pull away from the curb, it’s obvious I have no idea what a drive entails.

“Where should we go?”

I honestly don’t care. This is the first time I’m alone with Elise since…well,since. I’d drive across the state, if that’s what she wants.

“Have you been to Bicentennial Park at night? The greenway path gives a gorgeous view of the Main Street Bridge and Columbus’s skyline.”

“Let’s do it.”

She navigates her hometown’s streets for me, offering delightful tidbits about the city.

The bridge’s arch was the first of its kind in North America.

North Shore market has amazing pastries.

University students have an annual drunken dip at Mirror Lake when OSU plays their rival Michigan.

I greedily store the sound of her voice because I am a hoarder of everything and anything Elise gives me.

We’re at a light when she reaches out and runs a finger over the top of my hand that sits on the gear shift. Like she did the first night she sat in my car, Elise lights my body on fire with the lightest graze.

“God, why is it so hot to watch you drive stick?”

I can’t help my smirk. If that’s what turns her on, I’ll drive all night.

“You’re opening yourself up for stick jokes, Elise.”

She ignores my teasing and points to a sign. “Turn right here.”

I find a spot at the end of the parking lot, tucked against a section under construction. With the engine killed and Elise’s downtown tour completed, silence fills the car.

The blue-and-white lights of the Main Street Bridge are reflected on the flowing water of the Scioto River. Its banks are lined with trees that provide shade over a winding walkway. Past the park, there’s a mix of skyscrapers and small buildings that make up Columbus’s cityscape.

I focus beyond the windshield and avoid staring at Elise.

If I turn her way, she’ll see how much I want her. How fucking thirsty I am for her body pressed to me, pressed against my mouth so I can drink my fill.

My eyes stray downward where her upper thighs are exposed. Without my permission, my fingers clench.

Elise reaches out and unclenches them. Her voice is barely a whisper. “I want you.”

The air is vacuumed out of my lungs. Did I hear her correctly? When our gazes snag, there’s no denying the lust reflected back at me.

“Is that OK, Randall?”

Seriously? I chuckle at the inadequacy of that word. OK is for things like movies or dinner plans. Elise wanting me is fucking fantastic.

“If you can’t tell how much I want you, too, you’re going to need glasses.” Her lashes lower, eyes landing on my strained pants.