Lucky Break (13 page)

“If you’re sure.” He stood and held his hand out to her. “Then come on. I’m going to head next door to shower while you get ready. We’re burning daylight here.”

She took his hand and let him help her up. “Where are we going?”

Kade winked at her. She wasn’t going to be happy about this, but it was something he wanted to do. Something he wanted to do for her. “You’re finally going to learn to drive a stick shift for real.” He shrugged. “And I know the perfect way to bribe you.”

Chapter Eight

The whole time Sidney got dressed, she couldn’t stop thinking about Kade.

She almost couldn’t believe they’d come to this temporary arrangement. In some ways it made perfect sense. Obviously, they were both physically attracted to each other, trusted and respected each other. But the pessimist in her worried about the damage it could cause.

Of course, now definitely wasn’t the right time to think about it.

Sidney picked up her purse and went outside to find Kade leaning against Mae’s truck. Her breath hitched at the site. He was absolutely beautiful.

She fought to calm her short, panting breaths. “Kade, don’t you think we should be doing this in your truck? It has to be much easier to drive than Mae’s.” Sidney still wasn’t sold on the whole teaching-her-to-drive-a-stick thing. Personally, she would be happy if she never had to drive another one. Once she left here and bought a new car, she wouldn’t.

“I’m sure it
is
easier.” He climbed in Mae’s truck anyway, and she begrudgingly joined him. “But every car you drive might not be easy. You master a tough one like this beast, you can drive anything,” he said, starting to drive. “And you forget, I’ve seen you behind the wheel before. No way am I letting you into my truck.” His hand slid over and squeezed her leg. She jumped, still not used to him touching her like that, but enjoying it at the same time.

“I see how it is. You don’t mind blowing up Mae’s truck, but not yours.”

“You’ll be the one doing the blowing up. Not me.”

Playfully, she pushed his hand away. “I’m telling her you said that! Plus, all you’re doing is proving my point. We don’t need to have driving lessons. We tried this years ago and it didn’t work.” Really, she just didn’t like looking like an idiot who couldn’t drive.

Kade glanced over at her and smiled. “I have much more experience now to teach you how to work a stick. I’m sure—”

Sidney punched him.

“What? That’s not what I meant. Get your mind out of the gutter, woman!”

She found herself laughing. “That’s
exactly
what you meant, pervert.”

He made a left turn. “You like it. Don’t pretend you don’t.”

Sidney only smiled—he was right. She liked this lighter side of Kade.

A few minutes later they pulled into a large parking lot for what looked like an abandoned building. They were a good twenty minutes out of town or anything else that resembled civilization. She understood why the place had shut down.

Without a word, Kade jumped out of the driver seat and came around to her side. He opened the door for her, that sexy half smile on his face. She loved that smile. Did he know how gorgeous he was? Had he always been this sexy? Yes, he’d been attractive as a teenager, but she didn’t know if age changed him or if it was her, finally taking notice of it so much more.

“I have to admit, I like the way you’re looking at me right now.” His voice, deep and smooth, wrapped around her like silk. Kade turned her so she sat sideways, with her feet dangling out the door. He stood between her legs and leaned forward, his lips a breath away from hers. So close, but not close enough. “You want me, Peaches.”

Did she ever. She didn’t think she’d ever wanted anyone so much. She definitely hadn’t desired Steve like this. Hell, she’d hardly thought about him since she’d been back, except when she was cursing him for being a jerk who dumped her or wanting to show him up by finding success in her career.

“Tell me you want me…” Kade whispered, all warm skin and hard muscles leaning against her as she sat in the seat. His hand came down and cupped her jaw, his rough, calloused fingers doing all sorts of things to her insides. How could just a simple touch make her so sensitive all over?

“You’re cocky…” And very persuasive. Her no-sex rule would be hard to keep, but damned if she would tell him.

He leaned even closer. Kade didn’t kiss her, just licked her bottom lip, sucked it into his mouth while his fingers still caressed her face.

“Are you sure that’s all you have to say?” he asked before he nipped at her lip again. He grabbed her rear end and pulled her forward so she felt his hard length between her legs. With him standing, they were at the perfect level. “As you can tell…I want you.”

Her whole body was on fire. Damn it, he did
not
play fair. Sidney wrapped her arms around his neck. “Okay. I want you…” Two could play at this game.

Kade captured her mouth. It was a quick, hard kiss and all too soon, he pulled away.

“And you can have me, soon.” He wagged his eyebrows at her. “But first you have to do okay driving. It’s the starting out that gives you trouble, right?”

“You cheater! I was supposed to be the one to pull away from you.” Sidney crossed her arms. He had turned the tables much too quickly.

“Aww, don’t pout.” He hugged her. “I’m good. You can’t help that.”

And cocky. Infuriating. Oh, and sexy, too.

“Now, back to the driving. Since it’s the starting you struggle with, every time you nail it, I’ll give you a reward. How does that sound, Peaches?”

Nail it? She would rather nail him!
No, no, Sidney. The no-sex rule was your idea.
But that still left them with other options. “You’re bribing me with sexual favors? What if I don’t want you anymore?”

Kade reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He held it up for her, showing her a picture of— “You went and bought rocky road ice cream and didn’t tell me!” The picture showed four containers in a freezer that she was pretty sure sat back at Mae’s house.

“You sleep through everything. I went to the store this morning, slipped right back into bed, and you didn’t notice a thing.” He winked at her and she pushed his chest.

“You’re evil! An evil, evil man, Kade Mitchell.”

He laughed as he dropped a quick kiss to her mouth. “And you like it. Now get in the driver seat before I change my mind.”

She found herself doing exactly what he said.

…

“Okay, this is a tricky clutch, but there’s no reason you can’t do it. Like any lady, you just have to find her sweet spot. Once you know it, she’ll slide right in.”

“Hello, Mr. Sexual Innuendo?” She licked her lips, her cheeks flushed to a rosy peach. Was that excitement he saw in her eyes? He ignored her comment. He had to or their driving lesson would be out the window and he’d take her right now. Damn if she wasn’t the most addicting woman he’d ever known, but this wasn’t about his effect on her. He always finished what he started. He obviously hadn’t done a good enough job teaching her how to drive a stick all those years ago, so he was determined to do it today. Even though he’d much,
much
rather be searching for
her
sweet spot instead of the damn truck’s.

“I watched you the other day and you try too hard. You’re shoving it into gear. You’re doing something with the clutch, too, I think. She has a spot, Sidney, you just have to take your time to find it.”

She turned away from him and looked out the front window. Her hands were so tight on the steering wheel that they were white. “Hey…what’s wrong, Peaches? If you don’t want to do this, we don’t have to.”

When she looked at him, vulnerability dimmed her eyes. Sidney let out a deep breath, but he cut her off before she could speak. “It’s just driving. I know you don’t like it when you can’t do something, but I promise, you’ll master this old truck before we leave today.”

He hated seeing her like this. Especially over something as small as driving a stick, but it amazed him, spending time with her and uncovering all these little pieces that were the same as the Sidney he used to know. That had been the worst part, over the years—wondering how different she’d become. He hadn’t been able to avoid thinking about all the ways she could have changed, and seeing her now, seeing that the little bits and pieces of her fit together to make the same woman, was incredible.

“I know it’s stupid.”

Kade shook his head. “It’s not stupid if it’s the way you feel, but you’re better than that. You can’t be perfect at everything. You always did think you needed to be, but you don’t. You’re perfect the way you are.”

He gritted his teeth and knew it had to do with her mom. Sidney had never been the same after the woman left. How anyone could leave her, he didn’t know. And how she couldn’t see how incredible she was, he didn’t know, either. Sidney had been determined. Left Shamrock Falls behind when she’d been barely eighteen years old and made it to Hollywood. He’d actually seen her in commercials over the years. It hurt, but he’d also been damn proud of her.

When his eyes met hers again, he saw she looked at him differently. Like she wanted to see inside him and damned if he didn’t suddenly want to show her everything, too.

“You think I’m perfect?”

“Look at you…fishing for compliments.” He tried to lighten the mood. When it didn’t work, he said, “You’ve always been perfect,” And then pried her right hand from the steering wheel and put it on the stick shift. “Ease off the clutch. Take it slow and feel it. When you start to feel her tug a little, give her some gas and ease off the clutch. It’s like a gentle trade.”

When she looked at him this time, he saw that fight in her. “This clutch is going down.”

“That’s my girl.”

He watched her feet as she started to do what he said, but she’d shoved the clutch in too fast and pushed the gas too hard, making the truck stall.

“Damn it!” Sidney pulled her hand away from the shifter and he let her. They definitely needed to lighten the mood in here…and he
had
promised he would try to change her mind. He cupped her breast and she let out a little squeak.

“Try it again,” he told her before brushing his thumb over her hardened nipple.

“What?! How am I supposed to drive when you do that?”

He snickered at the huskiness in her voice. “You’re pushing it, Peaches. This will distract you. Just feel. It’ll come to you naturally if you’re not trying so damn hard.”

He weighed her breast in his hand, kneading it. Every few seconds he brushed his finger over her nipple and she gasped. “Do it.”

He kept playing with her as she started the truck again. Her eyes fell closed and she took a couple deep breaths before the truck pulled away, smooth as could be.

“I did it!” She slammed the brake, making them lurch forward a little.

“Yeah, you did. You might want to try it with your eyes open next time, but you sure as hell did.”

“Yay! I’m going to do it again.”

Kade pulled his hand away and watched her as she tried to drive a second time, but the stupid truck stalled on her. Before she could complain, he touched her breast again. (This wasn’t a hardship for him.) He kept playing while she successfully started and stopped three more times.

She lost herself when he touched her. He knew that’s what it was. She wasn’t letting herself worry about failing.

“You’re doing well,” he told her.

“Yeah, you just need to drive around with me everywhere, fondling me, and I’m a pro.” She playfully pushed him away. “Let me try it again on my own.”

Before she could drive, he reached for her hand. “It’s okay to fail, you know? It doesn’t make you any less incredible.”

She blushed and he let go of her hand. For the next thirty minutes she stopped and started the old truck without stalling once. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t even have to use his touch as an incentive.

…

It was a ridiculous thing to be so excited about, driving a stupid truck. She knew that, but she also couldn’t help the huge smile that spread across her face. When she relaxed, she totally got what Kade was talking about. She
felt
when she should put the gas and ease on the clutch. She had no idea how she didn’t realize it before. Maybe because when she was younger she couldn’t have cared less if she knew how to drive a stick. Maybe she’d just grown up a little, but she got it now and it was…freeing.

Again, ridiculous, but true.

And she had Kade to thank for it. Because he cared enough to take the time to show her something she hadn’t realized she really wanted to master.

“I knew you could do it.” He lifted his hand and slid it around her neck, burying it in the hair at the nape of her neck. Just the simple touch sent a multitude of different feelings through her body: lust, gratitude, love.
Love?
He had been her best friend. He still was. Sort of. Of course she loved him.

“So…I thought I was getting a reward for this, hmmm?”

Heat lit his dark-chocolate eyes. “What were you thinking?”

“Well…let’s see.” She felt almost giddy. It was so fun playing these little games with him. She loved the way they joked and teased each other. So comfortable. “You’ve already promised me ice cream, but I’m not sure that’s enough.”

“Awfully demanding, aren’t you?”

She shrugged. “You promised, Kade. You wouldn’t want me to go around thinking you like breaking your promises, would you?”

If at all possible, his eyes darkened even more. His jaw tightened and she could tell it wasn’t in anger. “We couldn’t have that.”

“No, we can’t.” An idea popped into her head. Excitement skittered through her body. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of this before. “Is the drive-in still open?”

A lot of their childhood had been spent at the drive-in movies. When they were little, Mae would take them all in her truck. Sidney, Kade, and Rowan would sit in the bed under blankets watching movies. When they got older, they’d come on their own; a group of them all piling in someone’s car. It was only five dollars per vehicle so they’d stuff as many people in as they could. The core was always the same though: Sidney, Kade, and Rowan.