“Why are you saying sorry? Those fuckers mess with that fight in you?” he challenges me.
“Fine, I’m not sorry that I stole your car.”
“That’s my girl.” He kisses me this time. It’s too fast and he puts me on my feet before I want him to. The only thing I can think of is getting out of here. I want to be alone with Carter so that we can make out at home where no one is watching. Home. The simple word settles something deep inside of me. Carter leans down and kisses my neck, causing a different kind of shiver through me.
“Give me a second,” he says, stepping back from me. I reach out and grab his arm, worried that he’s going to do something stupid. He must see the worry on my face.
“Just need to have a word with Santa over there.” I glance over to the guy who kind of does look like Santa Claus. My hold on Carter tightens. “You win.” He sighs, pulling me into his side as he walks toward the older man. Everyone is still watching us. It’s then that I see Aly and Owen are here too. I had forgotten that she was with me when the detectives pulled me over. A pang of guilt hits me as I realize that she must have been scared too. I’m sure Owen was a nervous wreck too when he found out. I’ll have to apologize to both of them.
“That fucker’s wallet that’s missing that they keep accusing my girl of taking,” Carter says loud enough for everyone to hear. “He better hope I don’t get my hands on it.” Carter has had his hands on it before. Then I shoved it to the back of the closet. I don’t know if he knows where it is or not. He likely does. “’Cause if I do find it, I’m going to personally return that shit. If I were him I’d forget about it unless he wants that to fucking happen.” The threat rings clear in his words. No one says a word. I don’t know what kind of pull Carter and his family have around here but it must be pretty significant. He just made a threat and no one is doing shit about it. Not only that, he looked about ready to rip this building apart before I came flying out of those doors and no one looked as though they were going to stop him. I once again have an appreciation for Carter’s asshole side. It definitely has its benefits.
“No one is looking for any wallet.” I glance over to see the same older man that called Detective Murray and Grant into his office a few minutes before Carter got here. I’m not sure what happened to them but I haven’t seen them since.
“Chief.” Carter’s voice holds a hard edge to it. He’s not saying the man’s name in greeting. He’s looking for an answer.
“It was a mistake. We all know how much you love your car. We thought someone stole it.” He clears his throat. “We apologize and the two detectives will be handled.”
“There’s a lot of shit that seems to need some handling around here. It would be best if I’m not the one that has to do it.” With that final warning, Carter leads me out of the police station. The fresh air hits my face and I thank my lucky stars that Carter is in my life.
“Deuce!” Aly yells out.
Carter turns her way. “Jesus. Everyone better not start calling me that.” I fight a laugh.
“She was a smooth ride.” She dangles the keys to Carter’s car in her hand before she tosses them our way. Carter easily catches them. I laugh at Aly’s excitement over driving Carter’s car.
“Thanks.” He actually gives them a smile. “Both of you. I mean that. Thanks for keeping an eye on my girl.”
Owen pulls Aly into his side in understanding. “That’s what friends are for. Even ones who pretend to be assholes but really aren’t.” He shrugs.
Carter shakes his head because it’s kind of true. Carter can be an asshole but there are always good intentions behind it. I shout my goodbyes and promise Aly that we’ll catch up soon. Carter leads me toward his car, opening the passenger door for me to get in before hopping into the driver’s side. He adjusts his seat and starts the car.
“I should have known you were going to take off with my car.” He pulls out of the parking lot.
“I don’t even know why I did it,” I admit. Before Carter I always followed the rules and tried to stay under the radar. I only stole that wallet for survival. I look over at him. “I don’t even have a real driver’s license.” I look over at Carter, expecting him to explode with anger. Instead he throws his head back and laughs. It’s so unexpected that I follow suit. He looks so handsome when he’s not frowning. Watching him enjoy himself begins to turn me on. I love when he’s so relaxed and I seem to be the only one who gets that out of him. I reach over the console and run my hand up his thigh. His laughter stops immediately. I slide my hand to grab him. His breathing picks up as I stroke him over his pants.