With another guttural curse, he kicked the shredded tire. Then limped toward her.

  Ava shoved the papers into his hands and reached inside the cab to find her phone. It had flown from her purse along with the other contents, but she located it at the far end of the footwell. The screen shield had a new jagged crack, but the display lit up when she tapped the home button. From the rental agreement, Will read off the number for her to enter.

  The call rang five times before it shuttled to voice-mail. “So much for available roadside assistance.” She disconnected, and then redialed.

  The voice on the phone yawned through a greeting. “Customer Service, how may I help you?”

  “Thank heavens. We’ve had a flat and there is no spare. Can you dispatch someone with a replacement?” As she relayed the contract number, she smiled at Will and laid her hand on his shoulder. She engaged the speaker phone so he could hear.

  “Absolutely. Tell me your location.”

  Will squinted down the road. “Post mile eleven on Interstate Five. We passed a rest area about ten miles back.”

  “Did you get that?”

  “Got it,” came the reply. There was a long pause, during which Ava could hear the pounding on a keyboard. “Looks like we can have someone there in about . . . eight hours.”

  Ava groaned. Eight? Hours? Dismay and frustration overwhelmed her.

  Before she could reply, Will had snatched the phone from her. “Listen, that’s not good enough. We’re on a schedule. I have a deadline to meet.”

  “I’m very sorry, sir. We simply don’t have anyone able to respond at this time of night.”

  “That’s not how your contract reads. It says twenty-four hour assistance. Guaranteed.” Will’s voice got deadly soft.

  Ava suppressed a shudder, glad she wasn’t on the receiving end of such intensity. It was withering enough just being in proximity to his blazing anger.

  Customer Service Guy released another yawn. “I am sorry, sir. All of our assistance fleet operators are out on other calls at the moment. You’ll just have to wait your turn.”

  Will’s tension waved over Ava. The muscle in his jaw ticked violently. “Perhaps you don’t understand. We’re stranded on the roadside, in the middle of fucking nowhere, in the middle of the fucking night.” He blew out a noisy breath, then dragged another in. “Okay, can you locate a company in the area who can come out to replace the tire? I’ll pay.”

  Will’s chest heaved raggedly as they listened to more keyboard pounding. Ava moved around his back and rested her hands on his shoulders. She dug her fingertips in, massaging the knotted, rock-like muscles. He angled the phone again, tipping it backward to be sure she heard. He groaned when she hit a particularly rigid spot near his neck.

  An eternity later, the phone operator grunted. “It doesn’t appear we have any authorized service partners in that area. I can call around, but I doubt any repair service would be able to get to you any faster than we can.”

  “Shit! Get someone out as soon as you can. We’ll be waiting right here.” Will’s fingertips whitened on the edge of the phone. He muttered, “It’s not like we can go anywhere.” He gave them Ava’s phone number and instructed them to contact her as soon as whoever they dispatched was en route.

  “Fuck!” Will spun in a circle, his fingers shoved through his hair. When he faced the truck again, he kicked the remains of the tire again. “Fuck!” he muttered more softly.

  Ava took the phone from him. “So, we’re stranded. At least we have each other.” Her attempt at humor fell short of the mark.

  Will released a grating breath. “We’ll have to make the best of it. We passed an exit around ten miles back. Next one forward is probably about the same distance.” He looked at her feet and grimaced. “Don’t suppose you brought tennis shoes?”

  Ava regarded her sandals. Cute, but not very functional. When she’d packed her bag, she’d planned her outfit for tomorrow so she didn’t have to bring a second pair. Biting the inside of her cheek, she sighed.

  Cupping a hand around his neck, Will let his head drop backward. Pops and clicks of his bones accompanied the movement. “Looks like we’re sleeping in the truck.”

  Dread swirled up her ribs, but she shoved it away. “Good thing I have experience at that. I can show you the ropes.”

  Will’s chuckle started low in his belly. He wrapped his arms around her tight, and the laugh rose to rib-level, rumbling against her chest. By the time the sound escaped his mouth as a guffaw, she laughed giddily with him.

  “Oh, Ava. I do love you.” He drew her tighter to his body and held on, his shoulders and chest shaking with mirth.

  “I love you too, Will.” There! She’d told him. She let the words she’d held back for the last few days fly free. It tasted good on her lips . . . as intoxicating as the fine vino stacked in the rear of the disabled rental truck. “I doubt anyone else would see the humor here.”

  “Gotta laugh, or I’ll cry. This is not what I had envisioned when we stopped for the night. I was planning a nice wide bed, with mood lighting, a spacious shower to play in before we hit the road tomorrow. God, I’m sorry.”

  “Will, one of the things you’ve taught me in the last few weeks is the importance of being flexible. I’ve learned to fly by the seat of my pants and enjoy the ride. We can still make this work in our favor.” She speared her hands through his hair, enjoying the texture against her fingers.

  In response, he nuzzled his face in her neck, his lips pressed below the hollow under her ear, soft stubble rasping against her jaw.

  Powerful desire surged in the hidden spot between her thighs, the hot rush of liquid need undeniable. She palmed his neck and arched against him. Her already taut nipples hardened with the contact and made her purr as pleasure zipped along her spine.

  Breathlessly, she pulled back. “Come on, then. I’ll show you how a pro camps out in a car.”

  Will’s hand grazed her butt as she backed away. Shivers swept up her body. Delicious, anticipatory quakes of needy lust. Licking her lips, Ava quickly gathered her things from the cab, shoving everything she could find into her purse. Will crowded in behind her, his fingers delving inside the waistband of her jeans. Heat and warmth sparked from his fingertips on her bare flesh, charging through her like a runaway freight train.

  His hard length pressed against her when he grabbed the soft-sided insulated carryall Guin had tossed in at the last minute. It was filled with snacks and water bottles for the road. Ava knew it contained one of Will’s delicious Chardonnays as well.

  He slung the strap of the cooler over his shoulder and grabbed Ava’s wrist, tugging her toward the rear of the truck. “Good thing my mother threw in sleeping bags, huh?”

  The fabric cooler shushed along the metal floor as he shoved it into the back. He gripped Ava around the waist, and without so much as a grunt on his part, lifted her, depositing her gently on the deck.

  Before he could scramble up after her, she spread her legs and drew Will forward. Standing between her thighs, he strained upward, until their mouths connected. The soft slide of his lips over hers was like a benediction, a pleasure ordained between them. She squeezed her legs around his middle. Will swept his tongue along the rim of her mouth, licking and nibbling her until frenzy claimed her.

  She gripped his hair and whispered against his lips, “Get in here now.”

  “Back up,” he ordered.

  Ava slid backward on the cold metal floor. Bracing his hands on either side of her legs, Will hoisted himself onto the deck and crawled toward her, a smile filled with promise on his mouth.

  “We should probably close the door.” Damn her sensible side. But she didn’t want any passing cars interrupting them.

  Will reversed direction and shot to his feet. “Let’s get the sleeping bags arranged first. It’ll be dark in here.”

  “If we were in my car, I’d have candles.” Cocooned in pitch dark with Will would be an amazing sensory experience. All physical cues, nothing visual. Another rush of dampness hit her panties. She eased out a pent-up breath.

  Will regarded her curiously. “Why would you have candles?”

  “Because I’m always prepared for anything. Blankets, candles, a flashlight, power bars, and those packets that you can break to provide heat for your hands.”

  “Good to know. Next time, you drive.” Will’s teeth flashed white in the dimness.

  She crawled to where they’d stowed the blankets and rolled one in his direction. The metal teeth clicked musically together as he dragged the zipper all the way around the bag. The ends of her hair fluttered as he shook the bag open and spread it flat near the front stack of boxes. While he prepared the second bag, Ava shoved the cooler into a corner by her purse.

  She snatched up the padlock where it lay on the gate.

  “Ready?” Will asked. He stretched his arms overhead and snagged the canvas strap attached to the door. The movement lifted his T-shirt, exposing his lean abs and trim waist. Ava memorized the trail of hair disappearing into his jeans. Her excitement heightened as she mentally plotted a thorough exploration of his body in the dark. With her tongue.

  She nodded eagerly.

  The steel door clattered as Will lowered it into place and accepted the padlock Ava held out to him. A jerk of his chin toward their makeshift bed had her scrambling for the sleeping bags. Peeling back the top layer, she kicked her sandals from her feet, then tugged her shirt over her head.

  In the low illumination, she felt her skin heat as Will’s gaze roved over her lace-covered breasts.

  Inky darkness descended in the wake of him securing the door. Sudden dread zipped in her gut. She let her eyes drift shut and focused on the sounds of metal scraping on metal as the lock hasp slid through the ring at the base of the door. Knowing Will was making sure no one would be able to enter while they slept, helped ease the impenetrable black and the fact she was about to sleep in a vehicle again.

  Fabric rustled, then something solid thumped on the floor. Will’s shoes, no doubt. Knowing he was stripping down, would touch her soon in utter darkness, escalated her pulse. Blood rushed through her veins.

  Will’s belt buckle thudded on the truck bed.

  Ava unfastened her jeans and shoved the material off her legs, along with her panties. She fumbled with the clasp of her bra as Will’s hot hand descended on her thigh. He stroked circles on her skin as she shimmied her upper body to remove the garment.

  As though he could see in the dark, Will unerringly cupped her freed breasts. Electric pleasure bolted through her. He gripped her elbows and urged her to her knees, stabilizing her, then pressed against her, his arousal a steely ridge between their bodies.

  Working a hand down his stomach, Ava stroked his shaft, relishing the smooth, hard, heated texture of his skin. Will hissed and released a groaning breath.

  Lowering his face to hers, he pressed tender kisses along her jaw, and sought her lips. Once he found them, his tongue plunged past the barrier. He rocked his hips, telling her with his mouth and body what he needed, each touch deeply erotic in the total black enveloping them.

  “Hang on,” Will grunted as he pulled back. “Gotta find my wallet. Need a condom.”

  His arm bumped Ava’s chest as he felt blindly for his jeans. Heavy denim slid over her thighs, the brush heightened by the fact she couldn’t see. There was rustling, and then a thunk. Will must have found what he needed, then dropped the wallet.

  Ava groped his arm, sweeping her fingers toward his hand to take the cool foil packet from him. Ripping it open, she rolled the latex into place. Easing away, still gripping his shaft, she dropped to the mattress, pulling him along. Her knees parted and she made room for him between her thighs.

  She gasped as his tip entered her damp, slick channel. Will shifted to one elbow, covered her breast with his other hand, and slid all the way home.

  Arching and stretching to accommodate him, Ava locked her ankles behind his butt. The hard floor at her back paled in comparison to the hard, hot planes and angles of his body.

  Will started a rhythm within her, quietly groaning as he moved, the pitch-black interior heightening their sensual experience. The blazing heat of his chest against hers, even his scent—salty, musky with a hint of spice—seemed clearer in her head.

  Every stroke of his cock, his fingers, his tongue on her neck, built delicious pressure within her core. Irrepressible desire fanned the flames until she thought she’d be consumed. Her entire body trembled with need, and in the inky darkness, intense colors flared behind her eyes.

  “Oh, my God, Will,” she moaned. “More. I need more.” Her climax was close, centering every touch, every stroke. Luscious tension gripped her.

  “Lift your hips, baby.” His voice was a whisper in the dark.

  When she complied, he rolled his lower body against her, creating friction between his pelvis and the bundle of nerves at the apex of her thighs. His chest brushed her nipples with every movement, heightening her need, until she nearly spun out of control. She rocked with him, prolonging the contact and riding a wave so erotic it stole her breath.

  As her orgasm crashed over her, a rainbow of light and color flared and exploded behind her eyes. She cried out his name, her ragged shriek echoing off the metal walls. Will continued to piston his hips against her, seating himself deeper, withdrawing only to quickly slam home again. Each forceful thrust restoked her tension, wringing a second orgasm from her.

  Balanced on trembling arms, Will tensed, grinding against her, thrusting impossibly deep. Then he rocketed over the edge with her, his shout mingled with her cries.

  With a satisfied grunt, he collapsed on top of her. His warm breath washed over her damp skin and his heart thudded heavily in time with hers. Resting her palms on his back, Ava felt his pulse beat against her fingertips. Her nerves trembled as she drifted on a euphoric cloud of sensation.

  “That was electric. We need blackout curtains in your bedroom.” Ava chuckled, her sheath squeezing on his cock.

  He groaned and shifted his hips, his shaft still inside her. “We’ll get right on that. As soon as we get back home.”

  The whoosh of passing tires filled the confines of the truck. Some traffic was about now, but the sound diminished quickly, telling Ava no one was paying attention to the disabled vehicle on the side of the road. Although they’d ferreted out a lot of unique locations, she and her mother had never parked overnight on an interstate.

  Sated as she was, it didn’t surprise her to find she had no uncomfortable twinges about sleeping in a vehicle again. This experience was far superior to what she’d endured as a teen. “So we did good, right? Making the best of a bad situation. We could have let this bother us, but instead we did the whole lemons-lemonade thing.”

  “We sure did.” Will withdrew slowly, easing away. His jerky movements told her he’d removed the condom. Freed, he rolled to his back, pulling her body atop his, tugging the top sleeping bag over them. “Not a bad way to pass the time.”

  Ava nestled in closer and pillowed her cheek on his chest, the steady beat of his heart lulling her. She yawned. “This is a little like camping. If you overlook the metal tent, the stacks of boxes, and passing traffic.”

  “Are you okay with the dark?” Will asked, concern deepening his voice and making it rumble in her ear.

  “Yeah. But should we set an alarm?” They sure as hell wanted to be up and dressed when the tow truck finally showed.

  “Yeah. I’ll do it.” Will groped for his jeans.

  Light flared when he touched the screen, bouncing off the ceiling. Ava squinted against the burn on her retinas.

  “How do I . . . uh, got it. Four hours enough time for a nap?”

  She yawned again. “Sounds perfect.” Burrowing in closer to his side, Ava let her eyes drift shut and listened to his steady heartbeat until she fell asleep.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Increasing traffic noise scrabbled at the edges of Will’s consciousness. Each whoosh started soft, increased in volume, and then diminished again, like a boat bobbing in waves. A thin, dull crack of light came from under the closed back gate, illuminating the confines of the truck.

  His back twinged uncomfortably and pins and needles darted along the nerves in his shoulder where Ava’s head rested on it. Despite the discomfort, he stayed still, enjoying the feel of her warm, naked flesh pressed to his. His first experience sleeping in a vehicle had been nothing but pleasurable.

  When it first seemed apparent they’d be stranded on the roadside overnight, Will worried about how she’d take it. But Ava had made a joke, and then made him come with such force his balls still ached from it.

  Or maybe, his achingly hard erection was because he wanted another taste of her, another round in her soft, willing body. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, skimmed his fingers along her jaw, and then cupped her cheek. Pressing a kiss to her fragrant hair, he let his fingers drift along the tender skin on her shoulder.

  She shifted against him, stretching along his torso, turning more into him with a deep, drowsy sigh. Her lips made contact with his nipple and his body bucked. Sliding her hand down his belly, she toyed with the narrow band of hair arrowing downward. His cock jerked.

  A loud chirp sounded right next to his head, and bluish-white light reflected off the truck ceiling above him.

  He groaned. Goddamn alarm. What was I thinking to set that? He twisted to disable the annoying noise, dislodging Ava in the process. Chilly air spilled in where her skin had pressed to his. He hadn’t realized how cool it had gotten. He dragged the sleeping bag higher, tucking it in around Ava’s shoulders as she resettled.

  “Morning,” she breathed, her voice raspy with sleep.

  “Hey.” He touched his lips to her forehead.

  Ava snuggled in tighter. “Don’t think I’ve ever woken in a vehicle and been so happy about it.”

  He couldn’t help it, he laughed. Ava’s head bobbed on his chest. “Yeah, it’s lovely, but let’s not repeat this on the way home.”

  A soft puff of air caressed his pec as she snorted. “No argument here.”

 

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