Page 13

Sunrise. Dean took in every ray and changing color of the sky. Carmen leaned against his chest, her hands resting on his bent knees. "I love sunrise."

"I've never seen one over Lawrence." He clasped his hands over her belly to keep her from sliding off the car.

"I think they're beautiful but I rarely get to enjoy them when I see them." She sighed and braced her feet on the edge of the blanket. "Heading home at six in the morning, just trying to stay awake long enough to make the drive."

"Yeah… I've done that… just glad the sun came up at all… didn't really take the time to enjoy it." Twenty-five, spoke the blinking of his eyes. A little over three weeks and he was having too good a time to go anywhere.

"What's it gonna take?" She tilted her head back so she could see his face. "To get you to hang up your hat and get a stationary job?"

"Sweetheart, you don't know how close I am." He grinned at her.

"Rudy's friend knows a guy. He could use an experienced mechanic. He'll pay well if you work well."

"I'll keep it in mind."

"What's the longest you ever stayed in one place?"

"This is it, Carmen." He admitted. "Once… I stayed in one place for two weeks and it was not job related."

"What happened?"

"Told her what I did for a living and she freaked. By the time she… was ready to acknowledge that I wasn't crazy… we had another week together and then she cut me loose. Three weeks over three years' time."

"Two weeks is not a long time, Dean."

"And 70 days is?" He shrugged. "70 for me, anyway. You were drooling over my fine physique while I was still in a coma."

"Shut up, you egomaniac." She stroked circles on his thighs for several long moments. "How do you know it was 70 days?"

"Been keeping count of the days for a while."

"Why?"

"Nothing better to do."

"Nothing?" She sat up and turned her face to him.

"Well, not nothing…" He ran his hands up her ribs. "Am I invited to Mama's for dinner this Sunday?"

She poked him in the ribs. "You're such a funny guy." She rolled over and pinned him to the windshield. "You've got her wrapped around your finger. She keeps asking me when I'm going to seduce you into the family." He let out a chuckle and pulled her down against him. She blushed suddenly. "I mean… Not that… I am so not trying to scare you off…"

His throat threatened to close up on him but he forced down a lump. "If it means anything to you… I have strong feelings that you're the last woman for me."

"Really?" She arched an eyebrow, biting her lip. "Why do you think that?"

"Just a feeling."

"What if I dump you tomorrow?"

"You would do that? Give up all this?" He motioned to his body. "Where else are you going to find this body with this face? I have low-self-esteem issues. You have me at your beck and call. I can be your willing slave… if you know the buttons to push." Then he patted the car. "I also let you drive this sweet, sweet ride.""I think I was lost the day I laid eyes on you."

TBC