Page 112 of Denial
He rubs his thumb and middle finger against his temples, looking like he’s summoning all the patience in the world when he says, “Yes.”
I let Sutton lock up behind us. He reaches his truck first and opens my door, waiting for me. He stands in the open space, his fingers curled around the top of the frame as I hop up. Once my ass is settled, Sutton retrieves the silver buckle and reaches across my body, latching it into place himself. The warmth of his breaths drifts over my mouth, daring me to close the distance and kiss him.
His heated eyes drop to my lips. “Keep looking at me like that, and I might have to fuck you in the back of this truck.”
“Not a half-bad idea.”
A low hum reverberates in his chest. “You are temptation, Firecracker.”
While I’m struck speechless by what feels like a confession, Sutton closes me in and climbs into the driver’s seat.
“Did you guess where I’m taking you?”
“I considered many options, but the outfit choice certainly gave it away. We’re going back to The Line & Lariat?”
Sutton nods, his wrist flexing on the steering wheel. “I think you deserve a redo.”
I turn toward him. “I had a great time that night, minus what happened after.”
“I didn’t,” Sutton admits. Reaching across the center console, he runs his fingertips over mine. He flips my hand over and threads our fingers together, setting my chest on fire. “And I know some of that affected you.”
I shrug. “I consider the verbal sparring foreplay.”
He grunts, giving my hand a squeeze. “Then why didn’t you act on it?”
“That would have been a form of negative reinforcement.” I grin. “Though I have to admit, seeing you jealous might be my favorite way you lose control.”
“I don’t lose control.”
“Careful, Sunny. You aren’t the only one who loves a challenge.”
Sutton removes his hand from mine and adjusts the denim over his cock, a blush coloring his cheeks. When he brings his hand back across the center, I notice the purplish red coloring his knuckles.
“What happened here?” I gently trace them with my finger.
Sutton glances at my face before returning his attention to the road. His swallow is audible. “I found Lanighan.”
My eyes widen. “You didn’t kill him, did you?” I’m half teasing, half shocked that I didn’t know.
“Could’ve,” Sutton answers instantly. “Was so angry that I wanted to, but no. I just gave him a really good reason to leave you alone.”
“Wasn’t it you who told me that violence doesn’t solve anything?”
He suddenly flips our hands and pulls mine to his lips. He presses a lingering kiss to the back just below my knuckles. “In this case, it did. I wasn’t going to give him the chance to find you again.”
My throat grows tight, and the corners of my eyes burn with tears. I blink them back. I’m poised on the edge of relief and apprehension. “Do you think it worked?”
“Yeah.” His voice is smoke and grit. “We have him on traffic cams leaving the state, and he said on his podcast that he’s dropping your brother’s case. He’s gone, gorgeous.”
“Pull over,” I demand, voice urgent.
Sutton glances at me before flicking on his blinker and moving us smoothly off the road, shifting the truck into Park on the shoulder. Before he’s even finished, I have my seat belt off, and I climb halfway over the center. Just close enough to reach. The second he releases the shifter, I take his face between both of my hands and kiss him.
Sutton groans into my mouth, his fingers sliding into the hair at the back of my head. He lets me lead as I pour every ounce of gratitude I feel into my kiss.
When I pull back minutes later, we’re both breathless.
“Thank you, Sunny.”
