Rain: The Sequel to Rules of Engagement by L.A. Witt

Author:L.A. Witt [Witt, L.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781642300680
Published: 2020-06-23T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

“What is this?” Dustin scowled out the windshield. “A fucking monsoon?”

“Just that time of year.” I glanced at him before returning my attention to the road. “Besides, I thought you liked the rain.” We looked at each other again, and this time a smile played at his lips.

“Okay, so I like doing some things in the rain,” he said. “But making out in it is one thing. Driving in it is another.”

“And you’re not doing either at the moment.” I tapped my thumbs on the wheel for emphasis. “But if you want me to pull over, I could—”

“Don’t tempt me.”

“But if I did tempt you, would—”

“Most likely, yes.”

I slowed down, and we both burst out laughing.

“Smartass,” he said.

A few minutes later, I put on my signal and turned down the side street that would lead us to his sister’s house, and the banter vanished. Dustin took and released a ragged breath, and for the longest time, he simply looked out the passenger side window. What little I could see of his face was expressionless, but his cheek rippled with tension.

I put my hand on his knee. Without a word, he put his over mine and gently stroked the side with his thumb. His palm was damp with sweat.

“You doing okay?” I asked.

“I think I’ll survive.” He paused, then allowed himself a quiet laugh. “Guess I just needed some of Dr. Stewart’s patented stress relief.”

“Always glad to help.” I looked at him and winked. He smiled, if half-heartedly. I turned my hand over beneath his and laced our fingers together.

The road curved to the right, and up ahead, Kari’s house came into view in the misty grey distance. Dustin fidgeted, his fingers twitching in mine as if he could barely resist the urge to drum them. I squeezed his hand gently, and his fingers stilled. For a second.

I pulled into Kari’s driveway and stopped beside the familiar black SUV. There were no other cars around, so I guessed Tristan wasn’t there yet. Not surprising; we were a little early.

Shifting into park meant tugging my hand away from Dustin’s, so for the moment, I just kept my foot on the brake. “You ready for this?”

He rolled his shoulders. “Not really.”

I offered what I hoped was a reassuring smile and squeezed his hand again. “It’ll be fine. And if by chance it’s not, just say the word and we can go.”

The corner of his mouth twitched with the closest thing to a smile he could probably muster at that point. “Thanks.”

I leaned across the console, and he met me halfway. It was a gentle kiss. There was absolutely nothing sexual about it. Nothing but tenderness, affection, and reassurance. A silent, I’m here.

Only after he broke that kiss did I release his hand and reach up to put the car in park. After I’d killed the engine, we got out and hurried across the driveway to get out of the rain.

Dustin rang the doorbell, and we waited.

Kari’s husband, Daryl, answered the door with Brett, their new baby, asleep on his shoulder.

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