9. The Night Whispers, Beau

Something about the dark, quiet night, mixed with the soft feel of luxurious leather, and this guy with his sexy cologne sitting next to me lulled my senses into a place I hadn't been in a long time, —comfortable.

Since I rode with the enemy, I risked a lot. Images of my grandmother with a shotgun played through my head. There was about a fifty/fifty chance on whether she'd shoot me, but Dash definitely had zero percent chance of coming out unscathed.

I threw a joke when I should have been anxious. All Dash's doing.

I managed to keep my humor on the inside as my cock strained, pulsing against my jeans every time he opened his mouth to speak. His smooth tenor sounded so intimate. Alluring, mixed with lots of fairy dust.

Dash was friendly, easy to talk to. Even though he did most of the heavy conversational lifting.

He wasn't like anyone I'd ever met before. Genuine, responsible, and respectful of the world's boundaries. Qualities I'd never known anyone my age to have before.

Maybe all wealthy people acted that way, but I didn't think so.

"You like to do what's right?" I asked.

"I don't know about that," he hedged then gave me a side grin. "That's a lie. I'm generally aware of what's right and what's wrong. I try to stay on the right side of things. Sometimes, I fail."

I nodded and turned toward him as much as my seatbelt allowed. "Like volunteering to drive me home?"

"Exactly," he said, letting the word drag out as he nodded.

I got it. I tried to do what's right. My rebellion came by climbing out my window at all hours of the day and night, but I generally stayed close to home.

"Take the right then the next left," I said, when the lights from the convenience store came into view.

"You don't have to be home right away, right?" Dash asked, flipping on the blinker and gently applying the brakes as we approached the four-way stop. He continued to slow, preparing to pull into the convenience store's parking lot. "I really need to use the restroom."

"They're around back, but you need a key," I said, scanning the parking lot. I didn't recognize the few trucks or guys, who rested their forearms over the back of one truck's bed.

If those guys were locals, my concern for Dash's well-being spiked, and I pointed a finger to drive around the side of the building. "Why don't you park around there and let me go get the key."

The implication wasn't lost on him. He took a wide curve to park in the back of the lot.

Dash came to a stop and lifted in his seat to extract his wallet from his back pocket. He thumbed through the bills, more cash than I'd ever seen, and pulled out a twenty, handing it to me. "Can you get me a Coke? And get whatever you want."

I didn't take the money as I reached for the door handle. I had my birthday money on me. It wasn't much but I could buy us drinks.

Dash's hand darted out, gripping my forearm, keeping me from leaving the car.

That sizzle happened again, searing me from the inside out. Excitement rushed through my veins as desire raced along my nerve endings. Goose bumps sprang forward.

I couldn't hide my body's reaction as the breath I held released in a simple sigh. No way he missed it.

The rawness of my response flushed my cheeks, warmth creeping up. My uncertain gaze skidded to his.

"Let me make sure the overhead light is off." He didn't immediately release my arm, but it also didn't linger. The wild fluttering of my heart locked me there, staring at Dash. He broke the gaze and hold, something I'd never be able to do, and reached for the overhead light. "Take the money. You're taking the risk of being with me. Let me buy you a soda for your birthday."

The twenty was back in my line of sight. In auto mode, I accepted it. I certainly couldn't think properly while in the middle of my acute physical response. Luckily, the fresh, sultry air helped cool my heated skin and cleared my head, but my cock remained stiff as a board. I had to adjust myself as I started for the store's entry.

Dash's touch was like a Louisville slugger's grand slam to my libido. I wasn't even ashamed of my reaction. Every other time I had the slightest physical attraction toward a dude, I immediately went into flight mode. Forcing a turn and burn out of there as quickly as possible.

I rounded the corner, scratching my jaw. I felt real stubble there, at least in a small patch. My shoulders firmed up, squaring, and I grinned at how truly comfortable I was.

"Brooks. We wondered who parked around there," one of the guys standing at the truck's bed edge said. The outside lights from the store made it easier to see their faces. I honestly didn't remember any of them. They looked quite a bit older than me.

"Hey." I lifted my chin. Hard to come off as cool with the grin etched on my lips. It might be permanently there from now on. I tucked my hands in my front pockets, pushing the cash inside, and hopefully, hiding the full hard-on in the front of my jeans.

I made quick work of buying our drinks and grabbing the key from the attendant. I ignored the guys, only giving another nod, because it seemed like the thing to do, and I started around the building to the car.

"Hey, Coach wants you to come play for us," one of the guy's said, his voice moving closer. I stopped in my tracks and looked around. The guy was taking long strides toward me. Nothing about him jogged any memory. Crap.

"Yeah, I heard. I'm thinkin' about it," I said off the cuff, hoping it would be enough. It wasn't. He kept coming toward me, making me pivot on my heel, heading toward the nameless guy, putting space between the locals and Dash hopefully still inside the car.

"What's there to think about?" he said, knocking me in the upper arm when I got within reach. Thankfully not the aching one.

Not a conversation for now. I cocked my thumb over my shoulder. "I gotta go. Someone's waitin'."

His stance changed. Now, he appeared in on a secret. "Nice ride. Those rich bitches from the resort sure like to slum it over here." He slapped my arm and gave me a weird wink where both his eyes closed instead of just one. I didn't care for the way he lumped me into the slums.

I nodded, attempting some form of comradery, then pivoted again. "Seeya around." My strides were long and purposeful. I carried Dash's can of Coke and my Dr. Pepper, the restroom key dangling from my hand. I continued around to the driver's side, fully aware of Dash watching me the entire time.

Whatever change was happening to me rippled over my consciousness. Confidence built at lightning speed. I felt alive. Dash's door opened, and I handed over his drink between the car and the door, while he continued to sit behind the wheel.

"You know those guys?" he asked.

"No, but they knew me, and they think you're a hot resort girl."

His brows wrinkled as I quietly chuckled.

"I didn't correct 'em but I'll stand here until you're done. There's a drop box that you're to put the key into. It goes back into the store. They said don't be gross about it and they sanitize."

Dash's brow wrinkled further, taking the key between his forefinger and thumb. That made my laughter grow louder. Of course he wouldn't get the practicality of an old school restroom drop box.

I followed like a bodyguard as he went toward the back of the building. Something protective rose inside me. I'd be the sentry to guard his door.

My purpose felt damned good.

A parked car on a tree-lined street with the moon filtering through the branches made magical things happen. With my head rested against the head rest, I turned toward Dash. I was relaxed and having a good time. He sat at an angle, facing me, as far as the steering wheel allowed. The radio played the only pop-rock station around.

Twenty questions turned to fifty or even more the longer we sat together. I didn't want to leave.

"What position did you play?" Dash asked.

"It's my turn to ask a question," I countered and lifted a brow when he started to shake his head, an argument on his lips. I knew that with all certainty because he'd done that very expression every time I inserted a question.

"Go ahead then," he gave, but I could tell it didn't come easy. "But it's noted that anytime I bring up football, you change the subject. Do you really not like it anymore?"

"Again, my question."

His smile that charmed me grew bigger. At different times tonight, I noticed different things about him. Right now, he looked like the after shot of Captain America. He was beautiful with the way his hair swept off his forehead and his strong jaw highlighted his wide plump lips. I liked his smile a lot.

"I get the impression you're older than you said."

The musical cadence of Dash's laughter made me want to kiss him like I've never wanted to kiss anyone before. I watched his mouth move as he explained a question I didn't ask. "I'll really be sixteen on July fourth. You already know that part, but I'll graduate from high school in December."

Since his lips were the perfect blend of fleshy and plump, it was hard to concentrate on his words. Luckily, I caught the tail end of his explanation. "Explain further."

"I have a high IQ. I skipped a grade in elementary then tested out of other classes. I'll graduate in December with my associate degree. My plan is to take a gap year then start at SMU in the fall." His finger twirled in a circle that I took to mean time passing. "I've already been accepted." His gaze danced as he rolled his eyes dramatically. "I could have skipped more grades, but I didn't want to rush my life. I felt like I needed to stay in my age range even though I've never really acted my age. It made sense to me at the time."

Dash clearly thought his explanation was silly, grinning and laughing, but I didn't see it that way. A million questions ran through my head. Did he make those decisions about his future, or did his parents? It all seemed so reasonable and mature.

"Who do you get your intelligence from?" I asked, not readily diving deeper until I knew more.

Dash's surprised gaze landed back on mine. "No one's ever asked me that question before. I'm not a hundred percent sure. I'd guess my father's side of the family. They're all successful for generations back. But my motivation's different from the rest of my siblings. Right now, my goals are pretty simple. I want to practice law at a big firm. Get some experience and clients under my belt then go out on my own. I want to work on pro bono cases to help those in need, but I understand I'll need capital to make it happen.The rest of my family works for my father's company. All of them do. They had me later in life. I'm the tenth one—it's the meaning of my name. Dasham means ten."

"Mmm. I've only ever been an only child. I don't know what it's like to have brothers and sisters."

Dash's goals and family dynamic fascinated me.

"So if you're too young when you graduate law school then no agency would hire you, right?"

"Absolutely not answering. It's your turn to answer a question," he stated firmly. "What do you like to do for fun?"

"I like to fish a whole lot. It's quiet, and I like the quiet. I think I'd like to have a job. I work any chance I get, and I like the idea of having my own money in my pocket," I said, saying things that I'd never said to anyone before. "But jobs around here are hard to come by."

"My dad has a deep-sea charter fishing service connected to the resort. I bet I can get you a job doing something with them," Dash offered. "They're having a hard time finding locals who want to work."

I was instantly intrigued, and at the same time, I could hear my grandmother's strong disapproval. She'd be mad at me for siding with the enemy. Dash barked out a laugh at whatever he saw cross my face.

"I get it. If anyone found out, you'd be public enemy number one but think about it. I'm sure I could get you hired."

"So do you really work as a lifeguard?" I asked.

His frown caused me to laugh. "Yeah. I'm surprised more people haven't drowned."

"That's why you're so tan. I bet the girls go nuts over you."

That sent Dash into a low groan. It probably wasn't meant to entice but it did. All the fluttering in my belly took flight inside me again. Unfortunately, the alarm on his watch beeped, alerting us of the five-minute mark before I was due home.

"Dammit," he muttered and worked the controls on his watch. "This is the best time I've had in a long time. It flew by."

Of course, I agreed. I turned my head and stared out the front window. From where we were parked, I could sprint across the open field and be home ina couple of minutes.

"Thank you for bringing me home," I said and let that be enough as I reached for the door handle.

"I had a good time." Dash's captivating smile happened again, stopping me from opening the door. He rolled his eyes at something unknown, followed by a frustrated sigh.

"What?" I asked.

His lips mashed together as he reached for his phone in the center console. "What's your phone number?"

"I don't actually know," I answered honestly. It never occurred to me to learn my number because of caller ID.

"Give me your phone." Dash didn't hesitate to grab it before I had a chance to extend my hand. His thumbs raced over the number pad until his phone rang. He made sure the number was there before handing it back to me.

"I'll drive you around." He righted himself in the seat and reached for the key to start the engine. Automatically, my hand reached out to stop him before the car's lights drew attention to us.

The touch made my heart begin its version of the electric slide, all happy and cozy. He paused and didn't move his hand out from underneath mine. I couldn't get my hand to budge either.

"My grandparents' place is right there," I whispered about the old three-story home surrounded by the trees that hid us. "If you drive me, you'll have to go around the other side and I'll be late."

With an inner strength I didn't realize I possessed, I moved my hand off his. My gaze shot to my feet to gain perspective. His skin felt like sat into me. Something I needed to remember for later.

"Which room's yours?" he asked, his voice low and intimate.

When I cracked the door, the cooler night air and humidity seeped inside. The fresh air helped add to the mystique of the night. "Third floor,right side."

"And you've climbed out of that?" Dash asked, astonished.

"I can climb out of anywhere. I lack fear, if that makes any sense. My mom hates it." I put a foot out on the pavement and started to slide out of the seat, very aware of the hard-on pressed against my jeans. I stayed bent at the waist and dipped my head back into the car. "Thanks for bringin' me home."

"Completely my pleasure," he said and sat there staring at me. "Happy birthday."

"It's been a good birthday." My heart made me say it just in case I never saw him again. I cast one last glance then shut the door behind me.

Dash stayed parked on the road until I was at the back door of the house. The wait seemed purposeful. With a quick look over my shoulder, I waved before slipping inside. I knew he couldn't see me, and I couldn't see him inside the car, but tonight mattered in a big, big way. Maybe my secrets weren't as awful as I thought they were. The relief was staggering if not a bit premature. Time would tell.