Stealing His Thunder (Masters of Adrenaline 1)

“What?” She shot upright in the dark. “What’s wrong?”

Fox chuckled. “Nothing. But we have to go get that car.”

Car? What car? Her brain felt slow as she fought through the haze of sleepiness.

She checked the time on the glowing clock near the bed. It was midnight? Hadn’t they just been binge-watching old X-Files episodes less than an hour ago? She must have dozed off.

“Oh.” She rubbed her eyes. “Right.” Cool air made goose bumps on her skin and only then did she remember she was naked. The sheet had pooled around her waist and Fox was eyeing her breasts.

“Mmm. I wish we had more time.” He ran a finger across her clavicle and she shivered. “Clearly, you don’t ha

ve enough hickeys.”

She pulled away before she got too many ideas. “Where are my clothes?”

With a sigh, he gestured around the room. “Around here somewhere. Are you sure you don’t want to stay here? You can go back to sleep.”

“No.” She took off from the bed, determined not to get left behind. Piece by piece, she collected her clothing off the floor and put it on. Going out to steal a car with Fox after everything they’d done together made it feel like a new round of kinky foreplay. It really didn’t help that she was wearing a dress and no panties. She hadn’t even had a shower.

Fox was already dressed. He tucked his wallet in his back pocket and grabbed his keys off the dresser.

“I’m ready,” she said then pulled her hair back in a ponytail.

They made their way up the stairs and to the garage.

“So do I get to drive the car off the lot?” she asked.

“No.”

“Ugh.” And he was taking the green economy car too. “You’re no fun.”

Inside, he buckled his seat belt and started the car. “This work isn’t about fun. It’s a job. It’s about making a living. But for you, it’s about being safe.”

She rolled her eyes. When was he going to get over the protective thing? “I can take care of myself, you know.”

He put a hand on her knee, but it felt more condescending than sweet. “One step at a time.”

The drive to the dealership was quiet but nerves tickled her belly. By the time they were down the street from the dealership, it felt like a dozen butterflies had been unleashed in her chest. Even though she had the easy part—just driving Fox’s car home—her adrenaline was high.

So many things could go wrong. The lot was well lit. There were probably cameras. There could be a security guard on site, or a police officer could randomly drive by. Why did this make her feel all giddy inside?

Fox pulled up short of the lot then turned to look at her. “Don’t wait for me. Just drive home.”

“But—”

He cut her off with a look. She remembered the punishment she’d gotten for not following the plan earlier, and how she’d promised to let him lead for a while. With a sigh, she answered, “Fine. But how will I know you’re okay?”

“I’ll text you when I’m on the road.”

Who knew stealing cars could be so boring?

Just when she was about to step out of the car to switch sides, a pair of lights flashed in the mirror then stopped behind them.

“Get down!” He pushed the back of her head until she ducked down in the seat.

Fox’s body went stiff. Was he afraid? Her heart kicked into overdrive.

“Fuck.” He banged the steering wheel once then stared down at her. “Stay the fuck down. Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”