Page 59 of Drive Me Wild
Charlotte lets out an obnoxiously long laugh. “Oh, yeah. Real nice. I’m sure she’dlooooveto hear you say that.”
I elbow her in the arm. “You know what I mean. It’s… it’s Josie. She’s my best friend. Of course, I’m going to be protective of her.”
“Your best friend that you just so happen to be banging.”
I choke on my cocktail.How in the hell does she know that?
Charlotte grins at me, clearly pleased that she’s thrown me off. I think sisters sometimes feel the need to stir the pot for no reason. Hell, I suppose brothers act that way, too. I’ve certainly started my fair share of shit with her over the years.
“I’m not twelve,” she reminds me. “The sexual tension was so palpable, it was almost pornographic. I’m surprised you don’t have drool all over your chin, honestly.”
“Are you done bullying me?”
“Me bullying you?” Her jaw drops. “Do you not remember locking me in the basement when I was five because I accidentally sneezed on you?”
Accidentally my ass. Her aim had clearly been directed at me. It’s been seventeen years, and I still remember the incident as if it were yesterday.
“Whatever,” I huff. “Can we move on?”
“Nope. I’m just getting warmed up, and this is the most fun I’ve had all day. Tell me what’s going on with you two. Are you friends with benefits? Casually doing it? Exclusively doing it? Boyfriend-girlfriend? Ready to meet the parents? Looking at engagement rings? Picking out baby names?”
Has she always been this annoying? Christ.“Uh… I’m not sure.”
There’s nothing casual about what we’re doing, that’s for sure. We’ve had hot and heavy sex, but we’ve also—and it freaks me out to say this—made love. And I didn’t hate it… I fucking loved it. There’s something satisfyingly intimate about having sex with someone you deeply care about. It makes the orgasm ten times better, but it isn’t even about the orgasm, it’s about connecting. Friends don’t have the kind of sex we had, that much I know. What I don’t know is if I’m ready to admit what that means.
“Okay, well, what do youwantit to be?”
“Is that relevant? Career comes first. Remember?” The line rolls off my tongue with practiced precision. Even though figuring things out with McAllister is my number one priority, that mantra tastes sour on my tongue.
“I’m focusing on my career,” Charlotte mimics in a deep baritone. “I’m literally breaking out in hives because that’s such a lame answer, Theodore.”
She holds out her arm to show me her invisible allergic reaction.There’s no way people think I’m more dramatic than her, right?
“Josie’s an integral part of your career, you dummy,” she continues. “The two of you travel together for every race. You’ll never find another womanmorefocused on your career. So your bullshit answer won’t work with me.”
“Yeah, but?—”
“There’s nobut. You’re being ridiculous. Dad had a careeranda family. I’d say he was pretty okay. And no offense, but Josie’s way out of your league. I’m your sister, so I’m forced to like you, but the fact that shewillinglyhangs out with you… Lock that in, Theodore. Seriously.”
I raise my brows. “Ever consider law school?”
“Why? Because I just shot down your line of defense in three sentences?”
“Because you turn everything into an argument,” I mutter.
When I spy Blake and Lucas, I practically leap into their arms, grateful for the reprieve from twenty questions. We’re led to a table tucked in the back corner of the restaurant, away from the prying eyes of the other patrons who are craning their necks to get a better look at the Formula 1 royalty gracing their presence. We all know better than to argue with Blake when he requests privacy.
The moment my sister sits down, she grabs Lucas’s bicep and leans in to get a better look. “Ohh. I like this tattoo, Lucas. New?”
A grin of appreciation breaks across his face. “Yeah, thanks. Surprised you noticed it.”
Blake and I exchange a look because neither of us spotted his new ink, despite being in close proximity to him all the time.
Charlotte flashes him a twinkling smile, her blue eyes filled with mirth. “You’ve got great arms. Women take notice.”
Nope. Absolutely not.
“You can’t just touch people like that, Charlotte,” I snap, not liking her flirty tone one iota.
