Page 16 of Sweet Ache (Driven 6)
Unlike a different asshole from earlier today who couldn’t take a hint to save his life.
“You know you can’t resist me.”
“The answer’s still no, Luke.” I know he can hear the fondness in my voice.
“Don’t believe I asked but thanks for shooting me down … again,” he teases.
“And again and again.” I laugh. “How’d you get my number?”
“I have my ways,” he responds, and I have a gut feeling that Rylee is meddling here, handing him my phone number on the sly.
“Are those ways going to end up with my brother’s fist in your face?”
“If it did, would you come kiss it and make me feel better?”
I sigh into the line in response to his relentless pursuit. “Hm. Probably not. I’m not very gentle.”
His laugh is deep and rich and full of suggestion. “You’re such a goddamn tease, you know that? Maybe I like it a little rough.”
“Walked right into that one didn’t I?” I chuckle, feeling a sincere smile on my face for the first time since meeting Hawkin earlier today.
“Sure did.”
It dawns on me that he might be calling for a real purpose, and that I’ve made an incorrect assumption. “So … what can I do for you?”
“You sure you want me to answer that?”
“Give me the PG version,” I state.
“Ah, now that wouldn’t be any fun now would it?” The line falls silent for a beat. “How about we go out sometime?”
One of these days the man is going to wear me down to nothing until I relent. We’ve been following the steps of this dance for so long.
“You sure are tenacious…. I think you need to find a hobby or something to occupy your time besides racing.” It’s so fun to tease him, and in fact it makes me miss Colton and our constant banter.
“Tell me about it. We’ve got a three-week lag until the next race. I need something to chase now since there’s not a spoiler in front of me, so once again I’ve set my sights on chasing you.”
“Well there’s your problem, Mason.”
“Problem?”
“Why you’re having a little dry spell on the track.”
“A dry spell?” He coughs the words out.
“Yep. You can’t cross the finish line in first place if you’re always chasing. You need to figure out how to lead, cowboy, then you just might have a chance at taking the checkered flag.” I hear his laugh and know that I’ve had enough of cocky, overbearing men today. “Maybe next time, I’ll say yes. Good-bye, Luke.”
“I’ll take that as a maybe,” I hear as I end the call.
I immediately dial Layla. “Did you get a ticket?” I ask when she answers.
“Thank God, no.” Relief floods her voice.
“Good because I’ve reconsidered. Ready to go get liquored and laid?”
“Well, at least one of them,” she laughs out.
“I’m aiming for both.”
