FUEL (DirtSlap Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

covered her face again as he kicked the bathroom door shut. A part of him should feel guilty for giving her that little show, but she’d ogled his ass. Served her right.
    Several hours later, they were headed home. He had his hand on the wheel as she took shots of him with the camera he’d just bought her. It gave him an odd sort of satisfaction to be able to buy something that gave her so much pleasure. She’d argued with him over the one he’d chosen. It was expensive, but he didn’t care. He knew she’d never gotten much in her life, and he wanted to be the one to do it for her. He made enough to splurge now and then. It was worth it to see that glow of happiness on her face.
    After getting home, he sat on the couch and plopped his feet up to get some chill time before heading to the bonfire later. The girl wore him out. She sat at the other end and curled her bare toes against his thigh as he turned on the TV.
    “Thanks. I really don’t know when I’ll be able to pay you back.”
    “Nah, don’t worry about it. You never know, you might be able to make some money with it.”
    “Never thought of that,” she said.
    “So you never told me what your plans were when you got to New York.”
    “I didn’t have any plans. I was just going. Does it really matter?”
    “You took off with no thoughts of what you were going to do when you got there?” Thrand couldn’t imagine how hard that would be. Just up and go with only a small amount of cash and no idea of how you would survive once you got there.
    She pursed her lips. “No. I had no idea. I was going to figure it out as I went. Isn’t that what you did?”
    He shook his head. “I had a lead here. I knew what I wanted to do.”
    She brows shot up in surprise then she lifted her chin. “I had to get out. It didn’t matter what happened after that.”
    He dropped a hand to her foot and rubbed the arch. Her little toes flexed then curled. He studied her face. “Was it that bad?”
    *
    Cassie couldn’t keep her eyes off him while his hand caressed her foot. Sparks shot through her and she kept imagining him this morning.
    Lying on his stomach.
    His broad, muscular back on wicked display.
    It’d taken all she had not to reach out, touch him and run her fingers over his tattoos. When she noticed he wasn’t wearing anything, she’s taken a peek at his ass. What girl wouldn’t? Then he stood. His entire body a feast for her eyes. The sun’s rays highlighted all the dips and planes of muscle. She’d been struck dumb. He looked better naked than with clothes. It was criminal. She did not need to think about that.
    So she concentrated on his question… was it that bad?
    How much did he really want to know? She opted for the truth. “Yeah. It was. At least until I moved out. It took a bit, but at least I don’t have nightmares anymore.”
    Thrand paled and his hand stopped moving. “I’m sorry. I’m so damn sorry.”
    He dropped his head, and she really didn’t know how to make him feel better.
    “It is what it is. I’m free now. I’ve moved on.” Her brows furrowed when he wouldn’t meet her gaze. Surely he understood that shit happened and sometimes there wasn’t anything to be done about it?
    “Thrand.” She poked him with her foot.
    He raked a hand over his short hair in obvious agitation, then finally glanced at her.
    “Life sucks, but it is what it is,” she said.
    “It shouldn’t have been for you.” He hopped up. “Going to the garage. Watch whatever you want.”
    She frowned at his departure. Did he blame himself for everything? She didn’t see how he could. Hell, he’d been a kid, too, and his parents were asshats. She shook her head in confusion. She had to be misreading him because he had his life together.
    “Cassie, get back down in the truck,” Thrand yelled and tugged on her leg.
    She stood in Thrand’s seat, her torso up through the sunroof. Her arms spread wide and she hollered, loving how she could barely hear her own