Page 55 of The Merger

“Maybe.”

I sigh. “Tate gave me the address. I put it in my GPS—the same GPS that currently shows me that it will take eight minutes to get to your house.”

“You asked Tate where I am?” she squeaks.

“No, I didn’t. He asked me to come get you. Funny how things work out sometimes. Now, get in this fucking car, or I’m coming in.”

“I thought we established earlier today that you would not, in fact, becoming inanything to do with me.”

My teeth grind so hard that I can hear them.

“Fine,” she says, huffing. “I’m coming.”

“I’m in front of the house.”

She disconnects the call, and I wait. People stream in and out, climbing into cars and some walking down the sidewalk. No one appears to be too intoxicated to drive, thank God. Carys appears on the porch just as my impatience begins to get to me.

Ho-ly fuck.

My eyes nearly fall out of my head as she steps onto the sidewalk.

Her dress hugs her curves, showcasing her full chest and narrow waist. Her legs are long as hell. Instead of her usual ponytail, her hair’s styled into loose curls that make me want to wrap my hands in it and pull.

I hop out of the car as she gets closer and pull the passenger’s side door open. I’m careful not to breathe her in, and I definitely don’t make physical contact.

My restraint has limitations.

“Now you want to be a gentleman?” she asks, swaying on her heels.

This woman. “Just get in the fucking car.”

She pauses. “Yes, Gannon, I’d love a ride home. Thank you so much for being so kind about it.”

I stare at her.

She rolls her eyes but climbs inside.

I slam the door a little harder than necessary.

“Buckle up,” I say as I get in my side and fasten mine.

“Yes, Daddy.”

My hand stills. “Don’t.”

“Why?” Her pretty little eyes sparkle with mischief. “We know you won’t spank me.”

I glance down at the inside of her exposed thighs and swallow.

“Whoa,” she says as I hit the gas and propel us onto the street. “If you’re going to be a dick about this, you shouldn’t have come. I didn’t ask you to be my hero.”

“What was I supposed to do? Know you’ve been drinking and are going to take a rideshare home alone this late?”

“Who said I was going home alone?”

I look at her and catch her smirk.

The GPS says to take a right, so I do.