Hardin Scott has been madly in love with Tessa Young since the moment he first laid eyes on her, but there's no way she could ever see him as anything more than a friend. After all, he's a bad boy with a promiscuous past and she's a sweet and innoce...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Hardin and I put our luggage in the car and are finally ready to get on the road.
"Are you sure you packed everything, Tess?"
"Hardin, no jokes about how heavy my luggage is!"
"Well, it feels like you packed for a whole month!"
"Yeah, well, I'm not the one bringing five boxes of cereal! I don't know how you can even eat that much of it without getting sick of it."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Let's not say anything we're going to regret!" he laughs.
"Come on! We're already late!"
We get into the car and Hardin pulls out of the parking lot. I reach for the radio and start to play The Fray. I sing along to each song, while Hardin teases me.
"Damn, I forgot to bring my earplugs," he jokes.
"Hardin, that's not very nice!"
"You know I'm only kidding. I love when you sing along. You're so beautiful when you're enjoying yourself."
"Oh." I blush. "So, you think I sound good?"
"All that matters is that you enjoy singing, baby."
"You're a jerk, you know that, right?"
"Yes, but I'm your jerk." He reaches over to gently squeeze my thigh.
A few hours pass before Hardin starts to complain. "I'm so fucking tired," he groans.
"I am, too," I admit.
"I guess I shouldn't have fucked you so many times last night," he chuckles.
"Hardin!" I shriek. "Gosh! I'm glad no one else is in the car with us. Please don't say things like that in front of Emma and her boyfriend."
"I can't make any promises." He shrugs.
I roll my eyes at him. "Did you want me to drive for awhile?"
"No. I don't want you driving in this weather. I'll be fine, Tess."
"Is it okay if I take a nap?"
"Of course. I think there's a throw blanket in the backseat," he says and begins to laugh.
"You're incorrigible, Hardin," I say before grabbing the blanket and leaning against the window.
An hour later, I wake up to us parked at a gas station.
"Sorry, baby, I didn't mean to wake you. Do you need anything?"
"Yeah. I'll come with you."
"I can get whatever you need."
"I have to go to the bathroom."
"Tess, I know I'm irresistible, but this isn't the cleanest place for us to have sex," he jokes.
"You're really beginning to get on my nerves." I playfully hit his arm.
"You're right, Tess. I can apologize to you again if you want." He starts to laugh.
"I'm going to leave you and your cereal at this gas station and just go without you," I warn.
"Fine. I'll stop. Come on, I'll buy you something pretty." He smiles and gets out of the car.
I follow him into the gas station, and after going to the bathroom, I pick out some postcards and snacks. Hardin pays for everything and I don't mind this time, since he's been getting on my nerves.
When we get back to the car I ask, "Are you sure you don't want me to drive?"
"No. It's not much farther. Go back to sleep."
"I'm fine, Hardin. Let's talk about what we're going to do this week."
"Okay, Tess, but I think you already know all I care about doing," he says and looks over at me for a second while raising his eyebrow.
"Eating your cereal?!" I tease.
"Well, eating you and my cereal!" he snickers.
"You know, I'm beginning to get suspicious of your good mood." I shove at his shoulder.
"I guess I can understand that," he chuckles. "I'm just really happy we got to spend yesterday together. And I promise every birthday we spend together will just keep getting better. Even when you turn one hundred and don't remember who I am anymore."
"Like I could ever forget you?" I lean over, resting my head on his shoulder.
"I do leave quite the impression."
"I'm sure Emma's boyfriend will find that out for himself," I giggle.
"So, what did you want to do this week?"
"I'd love to learn how to ski, and I definitely want to make s'mores!"
"You and your s'mores," Hardin teases.
"Maybe me and my s'mores could double date with you and your Crackle Flakes!" I giggle.
"Sorry, baby, I'm not giving you up, but maybe someday your s'mores could join in, if you know what I mean," he says seductively.
"That sounds fun," I say, taking my bottom lip between my teeth. "But whipped cream sounds even better," I say in my most seductive voice.
"Why, Theresa Lynn Young, I had no idea you could be so naughty."
"Only for you." I smile at him.
"Okay, Tess, it looks like we're here. The bastard really is rich."
"Hardin!" I say and swat at him.
Hardin grabs our luggage, while I go knock on the door. Emma answers and immediately hugs me. "What took you guys so long? I was getting worried."
Hardin comes up behind me and nuzzles into my neck. "Well..." he says seductively.
"You know what? Never mind!" she laughs. "Come on in, guys! I can't wait for you to meet my boyfriend."
