“I heard you back at the gas station. I love you?” She mocked. “I heard you talking to your wife or girlfriend or whatever.”

He laughed. This shit’s funny. Of course she heard him. He knew she was too close. This was funny, but he kept that to himself, instead opting to tighten his hold. More of a hug, really.

An abandoned car sat on an access road, closed the distance like he just saw a sign screaming it was two-for-one freebie day at Glock and Company. She fought the hold, pushing her shoulders away from him, but he couldn’t have cared less, and he worked to not chuckle out loud.

“You’re cute when you’re jealous,” he said and kissed her nose.

She hissed and squirmed in his arms again. Her backside unintentionally rubbed on his forearm.

Christ, he might not live through this day. “Mia, would you cut that out? You’re distracting me.”

“No. I’m out of here.” Rub, rub, rub.

“Right. And where you going?”

“It doesn’t concern you.”

She was too much. Enough with all the snark and scoots. They killed him. With each sway of her backside, he was digging his grave. Each time he hit the rocky bottom, he’d just start over fresh.

He stopped at the car. “Here you go. Down as you requested. Your chariot awaits.”

She crossed her arms and tapped a bare foot.

“Fine. We can do this again.” He scooped her up, jacked open the passenger door, and plopped her in, then moved to the driver’s seat. The keys were in the ignition. Excellent—easier than hot-wiring the thing. He twisted the key. The sedan turned over and idled. The radio came on. Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”.

Funny. So very funny.

“I can feel something.” Mia pressed buttons on the radio. Static and garbled stations filtered in through the speakers.

“You’re testy when you’re like this. It’s cute.” He repositioned his chair and chuckled. “This whole jealous thing is adorable.”

She jammed the buttons on the radio harder. “Jealous? You’re a piece of work. Stop talking to me.”

“You’re mad that we kissed. That you grabbed me. Not used to the whole white knight thing? Or are you upset that you were turned on in the truck?” He slid the tip of a finger from her cheek to her chin. She batted it away, hard.

“White knight? Are you insane?”

She glared at him. Oh, if looks could kill, Winters would’ve been on the next bus to Morgue City.

“Some would say yes to both white knight and insane. But from you, I’ll take strategic, operational genius. Handsome man who keeps saving you. Take your pick.”

“There’s something wrong with you.”

“I thought you analyzed me already and turned up empty-handed.”

“That was before I knew you.”

“And where is all this coming from again? Oh yeah, cause you were eavesdropping and heard me say I love you.”

She turned up the static on the radio loud enough it hurt his ears. Calling her out wasn’t the best move he had in his arsenal but better than ignoring her.