“Okay, simmer down, tiger, I just want to help. I need you to bend over for me now, Piper. Put that head down for a while, just until you calm down.”

The hand on the back of her neck forced her down.

“That’s it, sweetheart, take some breaths for me.”

Piper’s head started to clear. “Let me up now, Dylan.”

He did, his hand helping her upright.

“How about you tell me about that news you had now, Piper?”

“No, okay. Th-thanks for that, but I need you to back off or I—I’ll hurt you.” She couldn’t believe she’d actually said that.

“You could try.”

His face was a mixture of worry and amusement.

“This is important, Dylan, and I need to leave now.”

“Okay, sure, but you don’t look like you should be driving anywhere.”

Looking at his large chest encased in a thick gray wool, Piper thought it would be the perfect place to fall on right now and let go of the tears that were burning for release.

“I’m okay, I-I just need to get to Rummer fast.”

“Where are your cousins? Why can’t they drive you?”

“Out of town with Bailey like I said. Look, I-I need to go.” Piper tried to wrench free, but he wouldn’t let her.

“I’ll drive you.”

“What?” She shook her head. “I d-don’t need that. Just let me go.”

“No.”

“Rummer is five hours away, you can’t simply drive me there!”

“I have to get some meds for Dad. Now’s as good a time as any.”

“I’m not driving with you for five hours. Now let me go!”

“Why? Scared you’ll jump me again?”

Piper actually spluttered. “I-I can’t believe you said that.”

“Sure you can. Let’s go.”

She was walked down the step. Dylan towed her across the street to where his Range Rover sat. Opening the door, he motioned her inside.

“Get in and I’ll drive you. This will get you to Rummer quicker anyway.”

“No.”

“Yes.” He picked her up and lowered her onto the seat.

“Dylan, stop this!”

The door shut, and then he was sprinting around the hood to the driver side. Piper was stunned by his actions, and it took her precious seconds to respond. By the time she had the door open he was in the driver seat.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Driving you to Rummer, so shut the door.”

“You can’t!”

“Sure I can. Want to see my license?”

“B-but, you don’t.... I mean, why do you want to help me?”

He flashed her a gentle smile that made her sniff back the tears.

“I’m trying out something new, it’s called getting in touch with your emotions.”

“What?”

“Do you need anything before we leave Ryker?”

“How the hell do I know, my brain is all over the place?”

“I’ll take that as a no then.”