When he starts the engine a second time, it groans to life. He gives it some gas and The Beast sounds like itself again. We drive down a stretch of country road until cornfields come into view.
Mars’s grip tightens around the steering wheel and his jaw flexes. I know he needs to clear his head. “Hey, why don’t we go to your favorite spot?” I suggest, slipping my fingers through his dark hair.
When I look at him like this, through the slivers of light cast by the moon, I can see all the agony he hides. He’s not hiding behind big smiles and smart quips. Now he’s showing the barest parts of himself, and I still can’t see anything but my sweet Mars.
Without a word, he turns off of the country road and onto the dirt road where he first let me drive The Beast. We drive for a few minutes until we come to a clearing, then he kills the engine. The Beast shuts off with a heavy sigh, almost like he was ready for a rest anyway.
We climb in the back and Mars stretches out blankets for us to lie on. It’s chilly outside tonight but not frigid. I snuggle close to him and he tosses an arm around me.
“You’re brooding,” I point out, poking his side.
“I know. I’m sorry. I can’t stop thinking about the look in his eyes when he saw you. I also can’t stop thinking about the fact you had to see him like that.” Mars’s fingers dance up and down my back while he talks.
“You gave me fair warning that your dad was a mean drunk. I just didn’t know I’d meet him tonight.”
“Speaking of things we didn’t know would happen tonight,” he says and tugs on my hair until my chin is pointing toward the sky. “You were a firecracker when Dad broke into my room.” I love the smile on his face. He’s starting to let his icy guard down.
“I told you, there’s something about you that makes me bold.”
“I like it. I’ve never had anyone stand up for me before. Never had anyone who thought I was worth standing up for.”
I turn his head so that he’s facing me and not the stars, then I say, “You’re worth it to me. Always.” My heart is racing and warmth I can’t explain is winding around me like a vine, taking over me inch by inch.
I realize I’ve never cared about anyone the way I care about Mars. The realization pushes my lips toward his, until our tongues are dancing. He pulls my bottom lip into his mouth and presses down with his teeth. I moan against his mouth.
When we roll over, he’s on top of me and I can feel his stiff cock through his jeans. Wetness pools between my thighs at the thought of feeling him inside of me. He presses against me and I gasp at the power behind that one simple motion.
“Fuck, Sage. I want you so bad.” He pulls away enough to peer into my eyes. He makes me dizzy and hot and so many other things that my mind can barely focus.
“I want you too,” I tell him in between shallow breaths.
“If I don’t stop myself now, I’ll never get you home. I could spend all night out here with you.” His kisses set fire to my insides and I squirm beneath him.
I only agree because I don’t want him to get in trouble with his dad. If I had my way, I’d spend all night out here with him too.
Mars slides in the driver’s seat and I sit right beside him, our thighs pressed against each other. When he turns the key in the engine, The Beast makes a weird noise followed by clicking. I know it’s something bad because Mars lets loose a string of curse words under his breath.
He tries the engine again and again but the same thing happens. A weird noise followed by clicking.
“Fuck,” he snaps. “The alternator is gone.”
“So it won’t start at all?”
“No. I need a new one, and I knew that, but I was hoping it would hold off until I saved up enough to get an alternator and a battery. Fuck. Now I don’t know how I’m gonna get you home.”
“Mars, I told my parents I was staying at a friend’s house, remember? We can camp out right here and figure it out in the morning.” I slide my fingers between his and give his hand a squeeze.
“I still need to tell my dad something,” he groans.
“Tell him you broke down and you’re crashing on someone’s couch. Someone who will cover for you.” He looks in my eyes and his expression softens a little.
“Collette.” He nods, then pulls his phone from his pocket and fires off a text. He texts Collette for a few minutes then turns to me. “She’ll cover for me if he asks any questions.”