Most likely Holden was going to send his motorcycle maniacs after her. She would manage to kill a few of them, but eventually they would get her. She would go down fighting, because she wasn’t going to let them rape her. Or sell her into trafficking as Holden Sr. would want to see happen to her. He wouldn’t have her killed; he would want her to suffer in a big way.
She looked for a place to pull over, but if she did, she knew she would turn around, go back to Sonoma, pack her bags and make a run for it. Absinthe, with his brains, his gentleness, killer sex and sweet ways, was far too much of a temptation. And he wouldn’t just leave her alone, he would show up at the library and try to persuade her. She would have to go. Run for it.
Her phone went off and she glanced at the wide radio screen. Don’t answer. Don’t answer. Don’t answer. She couldn’t stop herself.
“Absinthe.” She breathed his name, knowing she sounded way too excited and he’d know she was thinking about him. Worse, he’d probably know she was thinking about having hot, amazing sex with him.
“Moya literaturnaya ledi.”
Her heart skipped a beat and then began to pound. Her stomach did that slow roll and she found herself smiling. She loved the sound of his voice, even coming over her car speakers.
“I’m checking to make sure you’re on the road. If you’re not, I’m heading your way. It’s been too long and I swear, miledi, I can’t wait another day.”
She loved that it was too long for him as well. Sonoma and Caspar were too far apart. Couldn’t he practice in Sonoma? Did they have a library in Caspar? She’d have to find out where the closest one was. She didn’t mind moving. She loved the coast. Was it too soon to think about that? Probably. She didn’t want to be the one to suggest it. It had to come from him. She couldn’t wait to see him.
“I’m on my way. I’m about just past Willits now and heading up 20.”
“You were thinking of turning around and leaving me, weren’t you?”
Her hands gripped the steering wheel. How did he know? He had crawled inside of her. That wasn’t good. She wasn’t a good person.
“Baby. You were, weren’t you? What did I do or say wrong?”
That was worse. So much worse. His voice, that stroking velvet voice that moved over her skin like the touch of fingers, uncovering every one of her senses so that she was acutely aware of every nerve and cell in her body.
“Not you, Absinthe. It’s me. You’re so amazing. You’re just …” She trailed off, her foot on the gas, her hands on the wheel, flying toward him, knowing she shouldn’t. “I’m just not a good woman and I don’t want anything bad ever to happen to you. Nothing can happen to you, not because of me.”
There were tears on her face and she thought she’d cried them all out so many years ago. She’d forbidden herself to cry. Absinthe had found that woman again, the one she’d hidden away. Now, just the sound of his voice brought her out.
“Scarlet, I have a friend who will drive me to you. We can leave now and meet you. He’ll ride the Harley back and I’ll drive your car. I don’t like you driving when you’re upset.”
The genuine worry in his voice washed over her. When had someone in the last so many years ever worried about her? She certainly couldn’t remember because the answer was no one.
“I’m very capable of driving and I didn’t turn around. I’m coming to you. I shouldn’t, but I am.”
“Are you crazy about my cock or my brains?”
She knew he was teasing her, trying to get her to laugh when she’d been upset. He didn’t want her crying and driving. She could love him so easily. “That’s a fair question. Let me give it some thought. It might take me some time.”
“Ledi.”
There was a bite to his voice that sent blood pounding right through her clit. Right then, had he asked, she would have immediately said it was his cock she was crazy for. What was it about his voice that got to her the way it did?
“The proper answer is both.”
She waited a couple of heartbeats on purpose, a smile curving her lips. Happiness blossoming. She didn’t have any right to feel happy, but Absinthe made her that way