“Driving in snow. I’d be a terrified wreck right now,” I confess, realizing that moving to the Midwest may not have been my brightest idea.
Colton shrugs. “I grew up here, so the snow doesn’t bother me. But I will admit, I haven’t really driven in it in a while. It’s kinda fun,” he says, glancing my way again with a boyish grin. One full of mischief and excitement.
“Kinda fun?” I’m slightly stunned by his statement.
I’m even more stunned when he pulls into the superstore parking lot and stops the truck just off the deserted roadway. He pushes down the lever that controls the four-wheel drive and gives me another one of those ornery grins. Then, without so much as a word of warning, he guns the gas and turns the wheel sharply to the right.
We spin, and a piercing scream rips through the truck cab. One hand reaches up and grabs the handle over the door, while the other grabs the dash in front of me so hard, I’m sure there might be nail marks. At this point, I’m just praying to God and anyone who’ll listen I make it out of this truck alive.
When the truck comes to a sudden stop, I realize the scream is ripping from my own mouth, and I clasp it closed. Well, as tightly as I can, considering I’m panting like a dog in July. “What the hell was that?” I holler, my eyes wide as they meet his playful ones.
“That was fun, Hollis. Admit it.”
The fear I felt mere moments ago is quickly swept to the side by something that feels a lot like joy. Suddenly, I find myself smiling back at him from across the truck. “Can we… do it again?” I ask, not sure why I’m so nervous.
“Damn right, we can,” he says before throwing the shifter back into Drive. “Hang on.”
And just like that, we’re spinning in the empty parking lot, doing donuts in the freshly fallen snow. I’m still hollering, but this time, it’s more out of enjoyment than fear. I realize quickly that I trust him. I trust Colton to not wreck and kill me while spinning circles in the empty lot.
When he stops, my smile matches the ear-to-ear one on his gorgeous face. We’re having fun. Something that’s both as surprising as it is comforting. “Okay, your turn,” he says, throwing the truck back into Park.
Wait. What?
He just smiles and unbuckles his seat belt. Before I know it, he’s already throwing the console up and sliding my way. “Yep, you heard me. You’ve never driven in the snow, right? Your information when you filled out the rental application said you were from California, so something tells me playing in the snow isn’t exactly a regular activity for you in the winter. Am I right?”
Wide-eyed, I just stare at him as he moves to sit right beside me.
“This is the perfect place for you to practice for a bit. I can teach you how to drive in snow with and without four-wheel drive.”
“But… what about your truck?” I ask.
Again, he just smiles. “As long as you don’t wrap it around a light pole, it’ll be fine, Hollis. My girl is used to getting down and dirty in the winter weather,” he states, tapping the dashboard with his palm.
I swallow through my anxiety and unbuckle my seat belt. “Are you sure?” I croak over my too-dry throat.
“Positive. I’ll just show you the basics since it let up for just a few minutes. Then, we’ll get back home,” he says, his eyes boring into mine, “and finish what we started.”
Oh, boy.
My heart is pounding, and my palms are sweating. I’m not sure if it’s because of the driving in the snow bit or the after with Colton.
Carefully, I move, trying to stand up and shift myself over his body. He slides under, while I move over, and there’s no denying the bulge in his pants that rubs against my ass. When I finally get to the driver’s seat, I buckle up, pulling it as tightly as I can. There’s a slight tremble to my hands as I reach up and place both hands on the wheel. Ten and two. I’m gripping that wheel like it were my first day of driver’s education.
“Okay, let’s leave it in two-wheel for now. I want you to get a feel of the roadway and how the truck handles. Each vehicle is different, Hollis, so just remember to go slow and take your time. Only drive as fast as you feel comfortable going.”
I nod, staring out at the lazily falling snow and the unplowed lot.
“Go ahead and put it in drive.”
I reach over and slide the shifter into gear.
“Now, gently press on the gas.”
I do as instructed, my hands death-gripping the wheel, as I let the truck slowly crawl forward like a turtle. I’m not even sure the speedometer is moving.