Page 14 of Tangled Desires

“She’s worried. Thinks you’re avoiding her.”

“Tell her I’ll make time.” The tension in the car thickens, and not another word comes from either of them, leaving an unspoken heaviness that settles like fog.

Harrison’s grip on the wheel stays tight, and I can’t help but wonder why he’s avoiding his own mother. Not that I care—except Iclearlydo, since I can’t stop thinking about it. He lives with her, yet he’s clearly avoiding her.Strange.

Harrison pulls into their driveway to drop Michael off first, insisting it’s on the way to mine. Sure, I’ll believe that—right after I bet every cent I have. He planned it this way. Now it’s just the two of us, confined in his ridiculously noisy car. Perfect.

My track record of not getting sucked into his orbit? Yeah, it’s been non-existent lately. The other night was proof enough. The silence between us isn’t uncomfortable, but it buzzes with something I can’t place. Harrison’s never this quiet. His usual chatter? Gone. Why?

I lean back, shooting him a side-eye. “What’s with the vow of silence?”

His lips twitch, but he doesn’t look away from the road. “Just focusing.”

“Oh, so serious. What happened to the guy who never shuts up? Can’t multitask?”

“You’re distracting me.”

“From what?” My brow arches as I cross my arms. “Your riveting thoughts about car engines?”

“From trying not to think about you.” The corner of his mouth curls higher. “Because when I do, it gets me fucking hard.”

“Jesus Christ, Harrison,” I groan, dragging a hand down my face. “Go back to being quiet.”

He snorts. “Admit it, you love it.”

“Love what? Your inability to filter anything before it comes out of your mouth?”

“Nah.” He shrugs, a cocky grin plastered across his face. “Just saying it how it is.”

“Right. And how it is, is perverted,” I shoot back. “Your brain’s as functional as this car is subtle.”

Harrison’s laugh rumbles. “Subtle’s boring. Thought you liked a little noise, Immy.”

“Ugh,” I huff, turning to the window, my cheeks burning. “You’re impossible.”

“I can’t help it. You’re fucking irresistible.” I don’t bother to respond or turn to face him. I keep my eyes locked outside—on the blurred, dark scenery.

“Just up the road, where the red ute’s parked,” I mutter, praying he’ll just drop me off without any more of his bullshit. Harrison slows, his grip on the wheel relaxing as he pulls up to the curb. The car idles, a low growl filling the thick silence between us. My thighs press together instinctively. Christ. Get out, Imogen.Now.But my dumb ass stays put, glued to the seat like a moth to a flame.

“Well… thanks for the ride,” I mumble, and even to my own ears, it sounds pathetic.

Harrison leans back, a slow smirk creeping across his face. “You sure you don’t want to stay a little longer? Have a… About the last time we were together?”

Heat floods my face instantly, the memory of that night flashing through my mind before I can stop it. “No.”

He leans in slightly, the heat of his gaze scorching. “Funny. Yet, you’re still sitting here. Starting to feel like déjà vu.”

My breath stumbles, heart racing like I’ve just been caught with my hand in the cookie jar. Anywhere but him—I focus on the ute, the mailbox, a damn tree—anything to avoid looking at him. “Why must you always persist?” I’m deflecting.Again.

“Because I like seeing you all riled up,” he says, his voice dipping into that cocky drawl that makes me want to slap him—or climb into his lap. “It’s sexy as hell.”

“You’re insufferable.”

“Hm, maybe,” he hums. “I bet you’ve thought about it. About how good it’d feel to stop fighting this.”

“Stop talking, Harrison.” My voice wavers just enough for his grin to widen.

“Why? Is it turning you on?” His gaze dips down my body before snapping back to mine. “You can deny it all you want, sugar, but your body’s telling a different story.”