I walk over to Derek and grip his hand. “Thanks, bro, it’s handled. I’m taking Lexi back to my place for the night,” I say, walking back toward Lexi’s driveway.

Her eyes widen and her mouth falls open. “Uh, what?”

“Well then, um, you two have a good night.” Derek yells over his shoulder as he walks back across his yard and goes inside. My eyes are still on Lexi. Her arms are now crossed. Her lips are pressed together, and she has one eyebrow raised. She’s waiting for me to explain what the hell I’m thinking.

I stand directly in front of her and slip my hands in my pockets to avoid reaching out to her, because I’m not sure if she wants to hug me or hit me right now. I’m guessing by the look on her face, it isn’t the first option.

“Look, Lex, I know you can take care of yourself, but that fucking tool is a loose cannon. I won’t get any sleep tonight if I’m sitting up wondering if that dumbass came back here after I left. So come home with me, just for tonight. I’ll sleep on the couch, you can have the bed.”

She exhales with a heavy sigh. “Coen, I…”

I stop her before she can argue. “Lexi. Please. Don’t make me pick you up and carry you, because I can, and I will. I know we’ve only known each other for a day, but I would never forgive myself if something happened. Now run in and grab what you need. I’ll be waiting in the car.” I couldn’t protect my parents from the drunk driver when I was eight, but I’m going to do everything in my power to save Lex now.

She opens her mouth again like she’s going to speak, but instead rubs the back of her neck, turns on her heels and does as I ask. I walk back to my car, get in, and wait for her to come back. I wonder how in the hell the rest of this twisted fucking day is going to go.

I’M WALKING THROUGH my house, grabbing things I think I might need. Where the hell does Coen get off telling me what to do? And why the fuck was Patrick at the race tonight? Is he stalking me? This is so fucked up. With Patrick pulling his little stunts tonight, though, I’m starting to think a night with Coen may be just what I need. I’ll stay at his place, and then tomorrow we’ll go our separate ways and life will go back to normal. Whatever that is.

I walk into my bedroom and glance at myself in the mirror as I walk past. Wow, I’m a hot mess. I don’t want to keep Coen waiting long, so I quickly strip off my t-shirt and shorts and throw on my favorite summery black dress, but keep on my Chucks. I pull the elastic out of my hair and run my brush through it a few times. At least now it doesn’t look quite as much like a rat’s nest. I grab my bag and jog out of the house, stopping to lock the door before I get into Coen’s car.

Fuck me, his car is hot!

I shut the door, and I can feel Coen’s eyes on me as I turn to reach for the seatbelt. When I turn back around to buckle it I hear him forcefully exhale. He must approve of the dress.

“Something wrong, Coen?” I ask playfully, batting my eyelashes. I’m so not that girl, but I can’t resist toying with him a little.

He clears his throat, “Yes, something is most definitely wrong.” He wets his bottom lip and swallows hard. It’s so fucking sexy watching his Adam’s apple in that long, beautiful tattooed neck. I start to worry. Maybe he hates the dress after all. Ugh, why did I change? He reaches over and lifts my chin with just the tips of his fingers, and gives me the gentlest kiss. His green eyes look deep into mine. “I don’t know if I can trust myself to stay away from you tonight, Lexi.” Coen pauses, closing his eyes for a brief moment. “And I can’t promise you more than just tonight.” He rests his forehead on mine for a few seconds, then lets go of me. I need to reassure him that I’m okay with this, whatever this is. I reach over and slide my hand across his thick, muscular thigh and I hear his breath hitch. “Damn, Lexi, do you have any idea what you’re doing to me right now?” he says while starting the car. I leave my hand resting on his leg and notice he’s hard and straining against his jeans. I don’t care how it all ends up tomorrow. I need to feel Coen deep inside of me tonight. I run my hand further up his thigh, and ever so lightly grip his long, hard cock.

“I think I have a pretty good idea now. Drive, Coen, before I change my mind.” The tires squeal as he pulls away from my house.

Coen runs his hand through his hair as he weaves in and out of traffic. We drive for about five minutes or so. “It’s not much further, Sweet Cheeks,” he says, shooting me a quick glance and that perfectly sexy smirk. “I hope you haven’t changed your mind, because I don’t know if I can handle sitting here next to you in that delicious fucking dress and those sick as hell Chucks.” Coen reaches over and places his hand on my thigh. Keeping his eyes on the road, he slowly slides his big, strong, tattooed hand up the inside of my legs and slips his middle finger under the side of the triangle shaped lace and in between my slick pussy. A soft whimper escapes me. My entire body ignites from his touch. “Damn, Lexi, you’re so fucking wet for me. I guess that definitely means you haven’t changed your mind.” His finger gently circles my clit, and my heart starts to race. The car suddenly stops, and the warmth of Coen’s hand leaves my body. I open my eyes in time to see him sucking the finger that’s just left me feeling breathless.

“Stay there.” His voice is low and raspy as he turns the car off and gets out. I watch through lust-filled eyes as he walks around to open my door. “Last chance to say no, Lex, because once we’re inside that house there’s no turning back. You can stay and let me show you what a real man can do for a woman, unlike that piece of shit I saw earlier tonight, or I will put you up in a hotel so that I know you’re safe.”

“Coen, just shut up and take me inside or I’m going to get myself off right here on your front seat. After today, I need this. And I’m pretty sure, judging by the tent you’re pitching, that you do, too.” That sexy, devilish smirk slowly spreads across his lips and his eyes lock with mine. I reach down to grab my bag and slide out of the car. As soon as I stand up, he has me thrown over his shoulder. “Oh my God, Coen! I can walk! Don’t you dare drop me! Holy shit, this is too high off the ground! Coen!” I scream as I’m punching him in the back. I don’t do heights, and he is so freaking tall. I think I’m going to have a panic attack. “Coen, I’m serious! This isn’t fun… OUCH!”

Did he seriously just slap my ass?

“What the hell was that for?” I squeal.

“If you don’t stop wiggling around you’ll make me drop you, and then I’ll just have to fuck you right here on my front lawn. I don’t think the neighbors want to be woken up by a hot little tattooed redhead screaming my name.” He sounds pretty sure of himself, stepping inside the house and setting me back down on my feet.

I drop my bag, and the second he turns around I jump into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. He drops his keys and rubs his hands hard up my back, pulling me closer to him. Licking my neck from my collarbone to my ear, he sends shivers up my entire body. Our eyes lock for a brief moment, silently reassuring each other that this is what we both want. What we both need. I can’t help but feel he’s hiding something, but right now that doesn’t matter. Right now I need to feel wanted. I need to feel needed. I need this. Him. Us. Whatever us is.

He carries me through the dark house. Our only source of light is coming from the streetlights, seeping in through the blinds.

Coen rests his forehead on mine as he grabs my ass and growls. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Lexi.” I wrap my legs tighter around his waist as he makes his way up the stairs to his bedroom. Running my hands through his hair, I crush my lips against his and devour him with my kiss. He kisses me back, ravaging my mouth like a starving animal. A soft moan escapes me as he lifts me off of him by my waist, sitting me down on the edge of his bed. My dress slides up, nearly revealing what’s underneath. I start to cross my legs to try and ease the ache in my throbbing clit, but he places his hand on my knee to stop me.