was great, as always,” she complimented.
“Glad you could make it,” Kurt responded politely.
Becki rolled her eyes. He hadn’t given her much of a choice.
“Better ‘batten down the hatches’ mate,” she suggested as she moved from the porch.
“You, too,” Kurt instructed. “Be careful going home,” he added as he made eye contact with Royce.
Royce nodded slightly in response to Kurt’s unspoken inquiry. He would be following Becki home whether she liked it or not.
“You don’t have to follow me home Royce. It’s in the opposite direction of where you are going, and the storm is closing in on us,” Becki said, just as Kurt predicted.
“My red beast holds the road and goes fast,” Royce said with a grin. “A little wind won’t make any difference. I’m sure we’ll be fine…don’t you worry.”
“Whatever. Let’s go then, so you can get back downtown before the skies open up.”
Royce walked to Becki’s yellow Bee and held the door open for her. Of course, he collected a quick smacking kiss as payment for his efforts.
“Drive carefully, and slowly,” he instructed.
“Yes, Sir,” Becki returned with a saucy salute.
“I don’t suppose I could talk you into leaving her here and letting me drive you home?” he asked hopefully.
She shook her head, “Not a chance, I need to have my car tomorrow. I will be just fine, Royce.”
Royce sighed is resignation, “It was worth a try. I mean it, drive slowly and carefully.”
Trees rustled around them, and the atmosphere felt strange as the air pressure began to drop. The worst part of the storm was supposed to hit in the early hours of the morning. There was a possibility of sustained winds between 40 and 50 miles per hour. Becki was not a fan of storms, and she shivered a little at the thought of weathering it alone.
Tropical storm Betty was not expected to develop into a hurricane, but the news stations had warned that power outages were possible due to downed trees and power lines. Becki loved rain showers but hated storms. Lightning and strong winds were not her friends.
“I’m always careful,” Becki said as she started her car. “You don’t have to follow me all the way out to Isle of Palms; it’s out of your way. Seriously, I’ll be just fine.”
Royce gave her a this-conversation-is-over look. “I’ll be right behind you,” he promised and dropped a quick kiss on her lips.
She watched Royce, admiring the fit of his jeans, as he moved toward his beast. That car cost more than she would make in five years. Becki shook her head- boys and their toys.
“Drive slowly my ass,” She muttered and pressed the gas pedal to the floor as usual.
The drive home was uneventful if you didn’t count that one moment of unease when a gust of wind blasted her car; rocking it from side to side. She had gripped the steering wheel a little more tightly, and as soon as the gust passed, sped the rest of the way home.
Parking in front of her house, Becki breathed a sigh of relief and flashed her headlights at Royce. She assumed he would want to continue on his way as quickly as possible.
She jumped out of the car and ran toward the front door. Rain had just begun to fall on the island.
Royce parked and within seconds stood behind Becki as she struggled to unlock the front door.
“Was there some confusion regarding my request to drive slowly?” Royce growled.
Becki chose not to respond. Her hands were shaking, and she was busy trying to fit the key into the lock.
Strong arms suddenly encircled her from behind as Royce guided the key into the lock. As soon as the door opened, he followed her inside, kicking the door closed behind him.
Becki slipped off her shoes and started toward the living room. She had not even taken a full step in that direction when a hand snaked out to spin her around.
Royce took two steps forward, effectively pinning her between his body and the wall.
“Was there some confusion regarding my request to drive slowly?” Royce repeated, anger churning below the surface.
“I did drive slowly,” Becki defended. Well, except for the last few miles. However, she was not willing to admit to an infraction of any sort while he was radiating testosterone all over the place.
“Right, next time your ass is in the car with me. Understand?”
“Royce, I was perfec--”
“I’m not going through that ever again,” he muttered just before his lips captured hers.
Becki melted against Royce. She loved being surrounded