Read The Things She Says for Free Online

corners of her mouth flipped up in a small smile, he couldn’t help but smile, too. “How could I turn that down?”
    He helped her into the passenger seat and slammed the door. She slumped against the leather, and even through the tinted glass, she radiated an aura that pinged around inside him, seeking a place to land.
    Dangerous, that’s what she was. When was the last time he’d willingly tossed away his stay-detached rule?
    Once settled behind the wheel, he slipped on his sunglasses and said, “I’ve already checked out, so where would you like me to take you? Your girlfriend’s house, the one from last night?”
    She stared out the window, pointedly not looking at him. “I’m afraid it’s a little more complicated than that.”
    * * *
    VJ flat-handed sunglasses against her face and debated how to explain she was going to Dallas without coming across as a freeloader, or worse, a stalker.
    Her only plan had died the second Kris held her and let her cry on his fifty-dollar T-shirt. How was she going to convince him to let her tag along when she had nothing to give him in return? Well, nothing other than an annoying set of calf eyes, cowardice disguised as automotive expertise and twenty-six dollars, twenty of which Kris had tipped her in the first place.
    “Complicated is my specialty,” he commented mildly and drove to the motel lot exit. His graceful fingers draped over the wheel casually, as if he was so in tune with the car, it anticipated his bidding instead of relying on mere mechanical direction. “Right or left?”
    She inhaled sharply and the scent of new car and fresh leather hit her like a freight train. A fitting combination for a new start.
    Might as well go for broke.
    “Left and then another right at the Feed and Seed. Go about five hundred miles and then another right. That’ll put me pretty close to where I want to go.”
    “Ah.” He nodded sagely and slapped a palm to his chest, Pledge of Allegiance style. “A woman after my own heart. You’re running away. Why didn’t you say so?”
    Because running away sounded so juvenile, especially out of his mouth.
    “Am I that transparent?”
    “Yeah.” That slow, sexy smile spread across his face. “Don’t worry, I like it.”
    “Hmmpf. I’d rather be a woman of mystery and secrets.”
    “No, you wouldn’t.” His gaze shifted to the highway and stayed there. “You just think you would. Secretive women are irritating.”
    He meant someone specific. Her curiosity spiked, but the firm set of his mouth said don’t ask. So she bit her tongue and mirrored his feigned fascination with the road stretched ahead through the windshield. Little Crooked Creek fell away at a rapid pace. Good riddance.
    After a while, she might miss someone or something other than Pamela Sue, Bobby Junior and Tackle. Mama’s grave. Pearl probably. The sunset against a mountain backdrop.
    For now, the call of adventure and a new life drowned out whispers of the past.
    Kris nodded toward the floorboard, where a broken-in black leather bag was wedged under the dash. “Find my MP3 player and pick out some music. It’s a long drive to Dallas.”
    “You’re going to take me?” She’d been studiously avoiding the subject, hoping to segue back into it later. Like after it was too late to turn around.
    “You’re in the car, and I’m driving to Dallas. Seems like that’s going to be the end result.”
    Relief lessened the weight on her shoulders. Nine hours in the company of Kris. Nine hours in an amazing car with her Greek god in shining armor. It wasn’t nearly long enough, but far more than she deserved. “You aren’t mad?”
    With a half laugh, he said, “About what? Didn’t we go through this already?”
    Sinking low in the seat, she tried to make herself as small as possible. “Because I wasn’t honest with you. I practically forced you into taking on an unwanted passenger.”
    After a beat of silence, he tapped the steering wheel in a staccato