DARKNESS SWALLOWED THE MOUNTAIN PASS. Hunt and I made our way home for the weekend, and as much as I enjoyed the four-hour trip alone, I was dreading the separation.

His fingers slid in mine atop the console as if he were thinking the same thing—a thumb tenderly sweeping the back of my hand. Our first week together was pure bliss, full of stolen kisses and late-night dinner dates spent in my apartment.

I smiled at the thought—my legs bent, and head tipped back against the headrest as I admired the man next to me.

The only ones who knew about our official relationship status were our friends from school, and we both wanted to keep it that way. I didn't know what my parents would say, and the last thing I wanted to do was find out. I willed my thoughts elsewhere, to this morning's gym session and the teasing remarks Rhett and Fischer launched when Hunt discreetly patted my ass after a squat set.

A mischievous grin split my face, drawing Hunt's curious gaze. "What?"

His husky tone and the sultry look he gave had every one of my nerves firing. "Nothing."

The edge of his mouth curled, and I swear the heat in the cab rose a few degrees. God, the tension between us was electric. So strong I needed to clamp my thighs together. I wanted him—badly, but Hunt insisted we take our time. A simple request I appreciated. I didn't want to be a night either. As forbidden as our relationship was, I wanted to savour our time, but it didn't mean I couldn't tease him when the opportunity presented itself. In fact, it became my new favourite pastime.

Under the moon's watchful eye, we pulled into my parent's driveway. As expected, all the lights were off in the house, and my dad's truck was gone. According to Nico, my parents were having dinner when I casually called an hour ago. Good. I didn't need my dad interrogating me about Hunt again, especially after he insisted on driving me everywhere. Despite its adorability, it also made me sad. I scared Hunt as badly as I scared my father, and he refused to let me drive the bronco any longer.

Hunt put the truck in park, the silence between us so tight it thrummed.

"Will I see you tomorrow?" I asked, really not wanting him to leave. Not yet.

He quirked a grin, his face illuminated by the lights of the dash. "If you want. My dad's gone this weekend, so I can sneak out."

My smile grew as he leaned over, his lips caressing mine.

Hunt's kiss shot through me, so hot my core tingled. I crawled over the console, straddling myself in his lap and ground my hips against him.

I wanted him more than I'd ever wanted anything and let him know with a slight whimper of need.

"Don't do that," Hunt breathed.

"Why?" I teased, nipping his lip, not hard enough to hurt but enough to have him groaning.

"You know why."

His hands slipped beneath my hoodie and along the smooth flesh of my ribs.

Fuck I wanted him to touch me. To explore every inch of flesh. "Come in," I pleaded between shaky breaths.

"Don't tempt me, Baker."

I could've stayed in his lap the rest of the night, and might have, had it not been for the slight knock at the window.

I snapped—heart-stopping. For a brief moment, I thought it was my dad staring back at me through the glass until I realized it was my little brother.

Hunt reluctantly rolled down the window, wiping his lips as casually as he could with his thumb, but there was no talking our way out of this one. "Nico," I greeted, trying to control my frantic breathing. "I thought you were out."

"I can see that."

My face warmed.

He draped an arm on the truck, his hood up over a black beanie. I didn't know what he'd say about Hunt. I doubted he'd rat me out to our parents, but his opinion made me nervous. "You know mom and dad are going to be home any minute, right."

I said nothing, more out of nerves.

His eyes flicked from me to Hunt. "This your ride?"

"I'm sitting in the driver's seat."

"So is my sister." Embarrassment flooded my cheeks. Nico jabbed his chin. "You make payments on it?"

"I'm sponsored," Hunt replied in kind, refusing to give away the details of his contract. A smart move.

"Nice."

My brows furrowed as Nico assessed the truck, then reverted. "Jace doesn't have a truck."

"What do you want?" I asked, growing impatient.

He grinned our father's smile, crinkling deep brown eyes. "Uncle Johnny said something about you training at Papas. He says you're heading over there in the morning."

"So?"

He dragged his gaze to Hunt. "You gonna be there?"

Hunt replied, "I planned on stopping by later," not bothering to lie.

Nico nodded, hood shifting. "I want in."

The line between my brows grew. "In on what?"

"The training. I know all about it," he said before I could inquire. "Uncle Johnny told me everything."

Oh, I was going to kill him. "Does dad know?"

"Not yet."

I shook my head. Things hadn't been right between them since our father took over Bell Racing, and if he found out that I officially switched trainers and was paying uncle Johnny to work with me, he'd surely lose his shit, but maybe it would take some of the heat off Hunt.

I glanced at Hunt, noting his puzzled look remained on Nico, one laced with a hardy dose of suspicion. "Why?"

"Same reason as my sister," Nico answered. "Our dad's too busy, and I'm pissed at the team."

Curiosity fired. "Why?"

"I have my reasons," he answered, rising and digging in his pocket. I couldn't help but wonder if it was because of Jace.

Nico took out his phone, the screen brightening his face. "Mom's going to be home in fifteen minutes. What's it gonna be?"

A/N: What is Nico up to?

A/N: (October 2022) I couldn't find a good song to match this chapter. If you guys think of one please feel free to let me know in the comments and I'll add it to the playlist <3

Happy Halloween to those who celebrate!! I absolutely love this time of year! If you're looking for something scary, be sure to check out THE WIDOWMAKER—a 7-minute short film I wrote, directed and starred in.

The link is my bio, or you can watch it for free on YouTube.

Thanks so much!
Dene