That curbed my amusement some. I definitely screwed up if Griffin approved. Letting out a long sigh, I shook my head and looked over at Evan. “Goddamn it. I have to call her back, right?”

Still laughing, Evan nodded, then he started pushing me out of my seat. “Beg for your life, dude…beg for your life.”

Well, fuck. Hopefully she wasn’t too mad…

Stepping outside, I tried to reconnect the call. I really hoped she picked up. I needed to know just how pissed she was. She answered right away, thankfully, but her tone was ice-cold. “What?” she clipped.

“I’m outside now. I’m sorry.” Don’t hate me.

I heard her inhale and exhale a calming breath. “You did all of that in front of your friends?” She sounded both mystified and irritated.

Cringing, I kept my answer short, simple, and honest. “Yeah…I’m sorry.”

“They all listened to you have phone sex with me?” By her voice, it was clear that she still couldn’t quite process that I’d done that. It probably wasn’t a good idea to mention that it wasn’t the first time the guys had overheard me doing something overly erotic like that. There might have been a party or two where a forward girl had dared me to fake an orgasm, and I might have gone through with it since, at the time, there wasn’t much I wouldn’t do for a forward girl. And it might have led to…

No, definitely not mentioning that.

“I’m sorry,” I repeated. I would say it as many times as she needed to hear it. Every time we talked, if necessary.

She was quiet a moment, then she uttered, “I cannot believe you.”

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again, I promise.” Please forgive me.

She was silent again, but when she spoke, the majority of her anger seemed to be gone. “You owe me. Big time.”

A smile crept over my face. “Anything you want, it’s yours.” Literally anything. Just stay with me.

She sighed. Then a small laugh escaped her. “Whore,” she muttered, sounding more amused than upset.

At hearing her pet name for me, my smile widened, and I lightly laughed, relieved. “Tease,” I chuckled in response. She giggled in my ear, and I caved into the desire to fully laugh with her. God, I love this woman.

Please let me keep her.

Chapter 19

WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE WITH YOU

I woke up with a start, my heart pounding in my chest and a familiar fear coursing through my veins. Goddamn dreams. I’d kind of hoped that being on the road, being in such a strange environment, being around so many people, would squelch the nightmares, but sadly…no. Dad still tormented me whenever he could.