with the essentials and wheel it into the hall. Getting it downstairs proves to be difficult, but I manage it. My anger rises with every step.
I notice his keys on the desk near the door and snatch them without an ounce of guilt. Call me immature but I’m taking his fucking car.
I feel naughty, my heart is racing and my adrenaline is pumping. I’ve not been able to enter a car so quickly for weeks.
Spinning the car around I take off, putting my phone on charge via the console in the middle and putting as much distance between me and the house as possible. This is so bad. What am I doing?
My phone rings; it’s Nathan. I ignore it and head towards the village. I’m going to need a map if I want to make it out of here, let alone all the way home. The baby lies still which I’m grateful for. It’s irritating when he moves while I’m trying to drive.
I know there’s a post office around here somewhere; they’ll do maps surely.
I only make it twenty miles out of town when I’m being pulled over by a god damn Police car. No! He wouldn’t.
He would.
I have to sit and listen to the officer talk about how taking other people’s cars without permission is stealing, but fortunately Nathan isn’t pressing charges.
Fortunately… scoff.
A red car pulls up ahead of us and Nathan climbs out. He strolls over to the officer but makes no move to shake hands. It’s a conspiracy; they obviously know each other. They talk quietly for a few minutes. The officer even invites Nathan for dinner. I hate villages!
“Move,” Nathan demands when he makes it around to the driver’s side.
I clamber out and pull open the back door.
“Get in the front,” Nathan orders.
I ignore him and slide onto the backseat.
A muscle jumps in his jaw but he doesn’t say anything, he just waits until I’m buckled in before climbing into his seat directly in front of me. I chose this seat so I wouldn’t have to see him.
I’ve never been so humiliated in my life.
“I’m sorry,” Nathan says as we start to drive.
“I’m not,” I whisper and wipe my hand under my eyes. “I hate you.”
His breath catches. “You’ll get over it.”
I laugh once, although I don’t find anything funny. “You’ve completely humiliated me.”
“You did that yourself. I told you to wait until morning.”
He is so infuriating. “I’ll wait until morning then.”
“You aren’t leaving,” he states firmly and now I’m just frustrated and confused. Leave, don’t leave. What the hell is wrong with him? “And don’t bother trying. I won’t let you.”
“Are you suddenly collecting whores?”
The car lurches to the side as he pulls over. He waves at Lorna, who was behind us, to motion that she keep going. She does. I’m not relieved. In fact, I’m the opposite. Now I have no female support.
The car door opens and Nathan is half dragging, half carrying my squealing form out. He lifts me, much to my annoyance, and carries me around the car. Placing me on the bonnet, he stands in between my knees and wraps my long, black hair around his hand, tugging it slightly so my head tilts back.
“You’re not a whore,” he says, his eyes dark and furious. “Nor will you ever be a whore. I said a bad thing when I was angry. Nothing more and nothing less. As for leaving, I don’t want you to go. I said yet another moronic thing out of anger.”
“Get off me,” I beg, but he only moves closer, his face inches from mine.
“As for why I kissed you, I couldn’t resist. I’m a man and you’re beautiful.” My breath hitches at his words.
“That’s a crap excuse, now let me go.”
His eyes smoulder, their intensity startling me. “I wasn’t lying when I said to you that I enjoy your company. I enjoy it very much. Too much.” His body sags a little. “More than I should.”
“Nath…”
“I promise I won’t threaten to make you leave again.” His free hand rests on the curve of my neck, his eyes now kind and full of… something I’m clearly imagining. “You have my word. Please, accept my apology for upsetting you.”
“No.” I shake my head and look at my parted knees pressed lightly against his hips. “I don’t want to.”
“I’ve earned it, don’t you think? I deserve forgiveness.” His eyes now glitter with regret, his hand tightening in my hair. “Please.”
My lips pinch together. I swallow the lump in my throat