An indelicate cackle escaped from deep in her gut. “Of course. What kind of person doesn’t notice their tits and ass are hanging out of her dress?”
Grady’s rumbling laugh shook the entire car. Delighted at hearing him happy, she lost herself in laughter alongside him. After several minutes, the laughter faded. She wiped the tears from her eyes and coughed as she caught her breath. When had she ever laughed with anyone quite like she did with Grady?
After a moment of the quiet, well, aside from the world collapsing around them, he said, “I appreciated the view.”
She smiled and shook her head. “Well, I rarely share that view. So, I’m glad you enjoyed the show. I’m not usually so forward.”
The pause that followed was palpable. There was something bothering him, but would he say it?
He curtly responded, “Goodnight, Claire.”
“Goodnight, Grady,” she whispered, completely, utterly, naively, and foolishly confused.
15
T-E-M-P-E-S-T
Claire awoke a few hours later, convulsing with cold in the freezing car. It was still pitch black out. She had no idea what time it was, if the world still stood, nor if the snow was still coming down.
Her teeth chattered so loud, she woke Grady without even trying. Grumbling, he turned on the flashlight and sat up. Claire shielded her eyes from the invasive light and grimaced, but quickly adapted as she realized Grady was stripped to the skin, aside from his boxer briefs. He clicked open the rear door and hung out the back to check the tailpipe, scooping away the few inches of snow that had accumulated around the exhaust. Once he had ensured it was clear of snow, he quickly clicked the door closed again.
Breath whooshing from her lungs, she bit her lip and pulled the blanket up to her chin. That view was going to reign in her imagination for... the rest of eternity. Damn, she’d enjoyed nice views in the past, but that was one fine ass. And back. And legs. And... did he have to look so good? Sleepy and grouchy, but so damn hot.
As the rear door clicked closed, Grady’s eyes were at half-mast from sleepiness, his face scrunched tight to block the shocking brightness of the dome light. His five o’clock shadow was already darkening his jaw. Worse than usual, his hair was tousled every which way. He was ridiculously sexy, so disheveled and groggy.
Grady crawled forward and leaned over the driver’s seat to start the car again. Cold air blasted from the vents, and she huddled tighter in the blankets while waiting for the car to heat.
Still without saying a word, he sat atop the makeshift bed with his arms draped over his knees and turned to face her. Were her lips as blue as his were? He looked far wearier than even the cold or late night could have done to him. Was it wrong that she hoped to hell he was as miserable as she was?
Wary as a skittish horse, but he wouldn’t let it show. She sat up and cradled her ice cube hands around his jaw and pressed her freezing lips to his shiner, then rested her cheek against his. He didn’t resist. They sat and breathed together for a moment, savoring the scrap of warmth each could provide for the other.
And he didn’t run away. Mouth over his, moving with him, the heat raised a degree. His freezing hand reached around and gripped her waist. His icy touch radiated heat across her skin as she reacted to his touch.
As quickly as it had come on, the dome light shut off again. At the interruption, he pulled back again hastily. “I can’t do this again. I’m notthatguy.”
“Grady, I don’t think I’ve ever wantedanyguy as much as I want you. I guess I can’t read you at all. I... Okay, I know I’m in no position to be pursuing you, but, I thought... I don’t know.” Her confidence waned, totally uncertain about his feelings for her.
