She’s right and I really hate it when she’s right. Guarding my raw emotions once again, I look over at Tripp before returning my gaze to Sass.

“He may not feel anything for me anyway. I’m an order, remember? Protecting me, this ride, the charade we’re all putting on here is a direct order from my dad.”

“Doll, cut the shit, it’s me you’re talking to. Your dad certainly didn’t give Tripp the order to kiss you, fuck you, or worry about your comfort. The order was to take you on a ride and keep you safe. There is an attraction for both of you, whether you want to pussy foot around it or not. Keep dancing around each other or get real. Be an adult, own what you’re feeling. Rex has even said Tripp’s never been this relaxed with someone. Don’t fight what’s meant to be.”

Rex walks over, ending any further conversation. The expression on his features when he looks at me is one of knowing. Rex sees right through me.

“Talking about Tripp, huh?” He asks, handing Sass a rain jacket to put on.

“What? Tripp? No way. Why would you say that?” I try to cover my tracks.

“Whatever, Doll. Anytime he thinks of you or talks about you, he smiles. When you talk about him or think of him, you get all serious. Opposites attract they say, but you two bring out the opposite in each other.” He says shaking his head and grinning lazily.

“He smiles when he talks about me?” I question innocently, stunned by Rex’s candid statement.

“Yeah, Doll, he does. Y’all need to quit fighting it and see where it goes.”

“Where what goes?” Tripp interjects approaching.

“The love, lust, fucking crazy ass attraction you two have.” Rex answers bluntly. Shaking his head, Tripp doesn’t reply. Instead, he hands me a rain jacket and gets us ready to get back on the road.

Apparently, Doll is as conflicted as I am about the magnetic pull between us. After a miserable few hours riding in and out of rain showers, we are finally settled into the guesthouse we’re staying in tonight. We’re on the Steel Riders motorcycle club Prez’s property. He has a pool house he’s opened to us for the evening. It’s an open room with a small bathroom, one bed, the sofa that pulls out into a bed, and a chair.

We each take turns showering. Sass has taken the couch, Rex is settling into the chair, and Doll is curled up in the bed. I lay down beside her without a second thought. I hear her whispering.

“One step forward, two steps back.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” I whisper back to her, rolling her over to me.

“Exactly what I said. We take one step forward only to take two steps back.”

Is she that blind that she doesn’t see it. Tipping her chin up to make her look me in the eye, I reply.