Cup of Sugar Read Free

thing he wanted to do with this opportunity was disappoint Nia. So, onward and upward. Carefully.
    “We’re almost halfway.” Her soft voice broke the silence that’d fallen over the vehicle while he negotiated the slippery onramp.
    He glanced at the clock. They’d been on the road over three hours. And they were almost halfway. Good thing the company was excellent.
    “Thank you for this. Even if my car’s whatever-you-call-it hadn’t died, it wouldn’t have made it on these roads.”
    “You’re welcome, it’s my pleasure.” He allowed himself a few seconds’ look at his pretty passenger. Despite the dim lighting, he could see her chewing on her bottom lip, as if she had more to say. So he returned his visual attention to road and waited.
    “And it’s a horrible drive to make alone. I appreciate the company. Your company.”
    He’d call those last two words a victory. “I’m enjoying your company too. Even if you made me wait almost a year for it.”
    She groaned. “Sorry. I know I haven’t been the friendliest neighbor. It’s not you, it’s me.”
    Another clue. Be it intentionally or accidentally, she’d been dropping them throughout their conversation. And from some of her other comments—about him—it was safe to say she’d done as much spying across the property line as he had. Then there was the steady hum of attraction between them. No way was he mistaking that.
    Time to take a risk. He reached across the center console and caught her hand. He’d meant to give it a squeeze, then let go. But the second he touched her, something almost electric shot up his arm. He couldn’t have let go if he’d wanted to.
    Especially when a breathy sound escaped Nia’s lips. Part surprised gasp, for sure. But the other part—that was excitement. Arousal. The air in the truck was thick with it, from both of them.
    Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only thing hanging in the air. Fucking dog had some seriously bad timing. Still, he couldn’t resist the opportunity Zeus’ gas presented.
    “Whoa, Nia. If you need me to find a restroom, just say the word.”
    “What? That’s not me, it’s him .” She yanked her hand free so she could use it to point at Zeus.
    A hearty grumble rose from the back seat.
    Nia turned and looked between the front seats, confronting the disgruntled dog. “Oh, please. It was totally you.”
    A woman willing to have a conversation with his dog. Well, damn.
    “The blaming-the-dog trick? I thought only old men did that.”
    She made the cutest hmph he’d ever heard. But rather than protest again—as he expected—she leaned closer, poked him in the arm and said, “He who smelt it, dealt it.”
    A laugh ripped loose from deep in his gut. This woman had surprised the hell out of him tonight.
    “Touché,” he said, still laughing. Beside him, Nia was laughing too. He couldn’t resist looking, to see if the view was as incredible as the sound. And hell yeah, it most definitely was. “Hey, do you mind if I find a spot to pull off for Zeus to—”
    “Conn, the road!”
    His head whipped around. Brake lights in both lanes. Sideways car across the center line. “Holy shit…”
    By some miracle, the defensive driving he’d learned as a teenager kicked in to play. They didn’t land in a ditch or wind up tangled with another vehicle. The truck fishtailed several times, then skidded to a stop on the snow-covered shoulder. But it wasn’t over. Headlights filled the rearview mirror. And they were getting closer.
    He gripped the steering wheel tight with both hands and looked over at Nia. “Sit back and hang on.”
    She didn’t. Instead, she leaned into the space between them, her arm slung behind his seat as she blocked the gap. “Zeus.” One word was all she got out before the truck jolted forward from rear impact. She exhaled with a loud whoosh . Her head jerked sharply but she held fast.
    Jesus, he had to get them out of here, before somebody did more than tap the rear