Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Well, sort of make it do what I wanted.
“Okay, now straighten the wheel. You can give it a little more gas, too.”
I did what he said, and the path of the car smoothed out, lurching a little as we drove over a pothole in the small road. “Can I really go faster?”
“Faster,” he said, emphasizing the last syllable. “But not fast.”
I grinned, wanting to gun it, but refraining—for now. Feeling confident, I let my right hand slide from the wheel. When we didn’t immediately crash into the trees on either side of the road, I rested it on the gear shift.
“Two hands on the wheel,” Carmine said, and I reluctantly put them back. “You make me nervous when you do that. This isn’t a stick shift. If you try to switch gears now, something bad will happen.”
“It just looks so cool when you’re driving, and you keep shifting gears.”
“You know what else is cool? Not plowing into that log on the side of the road.”
I jerked the wheel to the left, avoiding it. “Oops.”
“Just what every driving instructor wants to hear.”
He let me drive up and down the narrow road several more times. When we were stopped at the end of it once again, I got an idea. “Can I try driving in reverse?”
He rolled his eyes. “Kind of seems like a good idea to master going forward first.”
“But what if I need to back into a parking space? Or to smash the bumper of a guy who’s tailgating?”
Carmine just shook his head. “All right. Put your foot on the brake and shift into reverse.”
I did so, and then took the opportunity to tease him. “All right, I’ve got it in rewind.”
He rolled his eyes again. “Keep your left hand on the wheel, but don’t move it. Put your right hand on the back of my seat and crane your neck back.”
That was easier said than done. Though the car was automatic, it was still a big SUV. The Morettis didn’t seem to have any other kind. It was quite a stretch to reach the back of Carmine’s seat, especially since he had it pushed back so far to accommodate his long legs. I tried, but in the end, I settled for placing my hand on his massive shoulder.
“Don’t turn the wheel,” he admonished as I tried to navigate the car along the road. It was far harder than walking backward. “Okay, that’s good. You can give it a little more gas.”
Unfortunately, I gave it a lot more gas and I shrieked, grabbing onto his neck.
“Brake,” he demanded, and I did. He put the car in park. “Maybe that’s enough for your first lesson.”
I pouted and gave him puppy dog eyes, but apparently, he valued his life too much to continue. “Can we do this again sometime?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Sometime that’s not now.”
I laughed and turned off the engine. “Deal.”
He wiped his brow with exaggerated relief. “Whew.”
I couldn’t help grinning. “I thought you said you were a big strong man who wasn’t afraid of anything?”
“I stand corrected.”
Realizing my hand was still on his massive shoulder, I squeezed his muscles. Unlike when I’d done that for Stefano the other day, I could barely grip his shoulder, it was so large. But I liked touching him anyway. “Thank you.”
“Any—” He broke off.
“You’re not going to say anytime?” I teased.
He laughed. “No, I’m certainly not.”
I traced a finger a long his neck. “Thank you for letting me do this.”
“Anyone would have,” he said. “Any extremely brave and possibly foolish person would have.”
I smiled. I knew he was joking, but it really wasn’t true. So many people in my life had only sought to take opportunities away from me, not go out of their way to provide them for me. “You’re brave.”
“What about foolish?”
I shrugged. “The jury’s still out.”
He nodded, then looked over at me. “I think I’d be pretty damn foolish not to do this.” He leaned over, closing the distance between us.
Then his lips were on mine, and I pressed my mouth against his, closing my eyes. My hand snaked through his short hair as I pulled him close to me.
It felt nice, this kiss. I’d never known, until recently, how each one could feel different. Carmine’s kiss was gentle, and explorative ... until he reached between us and unsnapped my seatbelt. Then he put his arm around my shoulder, pulling me in closer.
The rest of the world melted away, and all of my senses were taken over by him. His woodsy, masculine scent. His big hands on me. His lips on mine. It was as if my entire world had been taken over by him, and I loved it.
I sighed, rubbing his short hair. He was so big. So strong. But he made me feel safe. And cherished. And ... turned on.
There was no doubt about that last one. I squirmed in my seat as his kiss deepened.