Hot & Sticky

Chapter Six

West

I’mcalm and focused as I roar the truck down the coast road. My mind is whirling at a million miles an hour, but my jaw is set, my hands are firm on the wheel, and my eyes are looking in the review mirror for a tail.

But so far, we’re away clean.

I look over and hiss when I see Taylor shaking and curled into a ball on the seat next to me. I reach over and grip her hands tightly, squeezing them.

“You’re okay,” I growl. “We’re okay, and they’re not behind us.”

They. I grit my teeth, glaring at the road as we thunder alongside the beach. Something is not syncing up here, at all. Something doesn’t feel right about this in the slightest.

I mean it’s a fucking cinnamon bun shop, and those fuckers were loaded for bear. They hit the Buns Out shack like they were taking out a fucking bank, which just doesn’t make any fucking sense at all. I mean how much money could possibly be on premises? A few grand? I doubt it’s even that much, I mean they’re selling two-dollar cinnamon buns, for fuck’s sake, not diamond necklaces.

Taylor makes another sound, and I look over again. Fuck. She’s really shaking now, and she looks almost like she’s going catatonic. I know it’s risky with the possibility of a tail, but I have to do it.

I yank the wheel, kicking up sand and dust as I slam on the brakes and take the truck onto the shoulder of the road. I shut off the engine, jump out, and rush around to her side. I open the door and instantly pull her into my arms, hugging her fiercely and tightly as she starts to sob and shake against me.

“Hey, hey now,” I growl quietly. I hold her tightly, stroking her back as she clings to me.

“I’ve got you,” I whisper softly. “I’ve got you, and I’m not gonna let a fucking thing happen to you, Taylor.”

I curse myself for letting her get to this state. I mean, I’ve had training—I’m a fucking Marine, for God’s sake. She’s just a terrified girl who’s just been fucking shot at.

She takes a shaky breath, her gasp ragged and rough as she pulls back. Her eyes are wild as she stares into mine, still shaking.

“I—I can’t…” She shivers, her breath shaking. “I can’t stop shaking. How come… how come I can’t stop….”

“Adrenaline,” I say gently. “Breathe, baby. Just breathe, in and out, in and out.”

She nods, but another shiver attack rattles through her small frame.

“No—I—I can’t… I can’t—”

“Shhhh,” I whisper gently, pulling her close to me again. “It’s just the adrenaline. Believe me, it’ll wear off. Until then, you just need to breathe.”

“I—I can’t!” she gasps.

I close my eyes, holding her close. “You can. Just relax. Try and relax and unclench.”

She grips my shirt tightly, panting into my chest. “I don’t know how to.”

“You do, Taylor,” I growl. I pull away from her, and I cup her face. “Just look at me, follow my breathing.”

I take a deep breath, and she nods, following my lead.

“In. Out. In. Out,” I encourage. “Just like that.”

She twists in the seat, moving so that her legs are hanging off the edge out of the open door. I move closer, still holding her face.

“In and out, baby,” I murmur. “Just breathe with me.”

She nods, and I don’t even realize I’ve moved closer to her until I feel her knees on either side of my hips. I almost want to pull away, but I can’t—I’m powerless to. I know she’s in shock after being traumatized, but I can’t take myself away from the feel of her bare skin on me.

“Just breathe…”

Her legs suddenly spread even wider, and I move between them. I keep closing to her, until I feel her legs all but wrap around my waist. She gasps quietly, and her eyes look up into mine—so blue and wide and innocent, but also blazing with a hungry energy.