I wanted to tell her that I would take care of everything, that I’d make sure she never wanted for anything.
Yeah, I wanted to say all of that simply because she was embarrassed right now.
She had such a hold on me, these hooks in me that refused to let go, ones that were embedded in my body permanently. It was dangerous, my feelings for her, but they would never go away.
I loved her too damn much.
“I thought everyone had left,” she said quickly, her face still red from her embarrassment.
I tucked my hands in my front pockets, pulling the material out slightly to try and hide the fact I was sporting wood right now. “I had some last-minute things to finish up before calling it a night. But what are you still doing here?”
“I was headed home but forgot my phone so had to come back.” She cleared her throat and looked away, as if being in my presence set her on edge. “Then I missed the bus so I’m just hanging here until the next one comes.” She looked down at her phone. “Which I should probably get going or I’ll miss that one too.” She laughed a little awkwardly.
“Bus?” I was shaking my head before the word even left me. “You’re taking the bus to get home?” Not that I had issues with that, per se. I’d taken the bus plenty when I was younger. But this was Piper. It wasn’t safe.
“Normally no, but today I had to. My car is on the fritz and my dad is working out of town on a construction gig.” She shrugged and smiled. “I can take it home. No problem.”
I shook my head again before she even finished speaking. “Absolutely not. That’s not safe, and if I would have known you were taking the bus, I would have been picking you up myself, or at the very least gotten you reliable and safe transportation.”
“That’s kind of you, but the bus is really fine, and it’s perfectly safe.”
“Let me take you home. It’s the least I can do for keeping you here so late.”
She smiled sweetly and all good intentions left me.
How in the hell could I control myself, especially when she looked at me that way, the memory of having her close, of touching her cheek, smelling the subtle floral scent that came from her? How could I rein in my feelings when all I wanted to do was claim every part of her until she couldn’t walk comfortably the next day, until my cum was slipping from her tight little pussy, leaving a wet spot on her panties?
God, my thoughts were lewd, fucking filthy.
But they claimed me like I was possessed, like there was no stopping how I felt, what I wanted.
And it was fucking time Piper knew that. All of it.
5
Piper
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t immensely excited about the fact I was in Zane’s car. When he said he’d take me home, my heart nearly beat out of my chest, but I was proud of myself for keeping it together and not acting like a fool.
I glanced over at him, the lights from the dashboard casting a glow over his masculine face. His dark hair was impeccably styled even after a long workday. I could see the five o’clock shadow covering his cheeks and jaw, the scruff having my fingers itching to touch him, to see if they were rough or soft.
And his lips, full and kissable, had me envisioning filthy acts, things he could do with his mouth on me. I turned my head and looked out the passenger window, swallowing past my suddenly dry throat.
What I wanted was to tell him not to take me home, that I wanted to stay with him, be with him.
My heart was thundering so hard it felt like it would burst through my chest. Could he hear it? Could he see the way I shifted on his seat, twisting my hands together in my lap, that I was a nervous wreck? I wanted to be bold and brave, wanted to go after what I desired, which was him.
Always him.
But I was so scared of rejection, that I’d be turned away, humiliated.
No, I couldn’t risk saying anything, not now at least. Because if he did turn me away and then told my father, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to face him again. I couldn’t handle that, at least not while I was still working for him. Maybe after I was done and going off to college I’d admit how I felt. That way if he turned me down it wouldn’t be so bad.
And if he didn’t turn me away? What if he wanted me the same way I wanted him?
I glanced over at him and saw his jaw was tight, his entire body tense. I exhaled slowly and averted my focus, not wanting him to catch me staring at him.