Claim Me Captain! I'm Addicted to You!-Chapter 423: Run Away (2)

Vicky’s POV

"Just where exactly are we going?" I finally asked after two hours of driving. We were at a small rest stop, stretching our legs and grabbing lunch. My curiosity had been eating me alive the whole ride.

Ollie took a sip of his drink and said, with the straightest face ever, "You know where we’re going. I already put the address in the GPS, didn’t I?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Ollie... what is at that address? And where are we staying? A hotel? A resort? A cabin? A haunted mansion? Give me something."

"We’re only stopping there before the actual destination," he answered casually. Too casual and annoying. Then he stood up, gathering his tray like the conversation was over.

"Wait—hey! I’m not done eating!" I protested, staring at him in disbelief.

"Take your time," he said, already stepping away. "Meet me in the car. I need to make a quick call and buy a few things before we go."

Then he disappeared into the crowd without even giving me a chance to argue.

I glared at his retreating back. "Unbelievable," I muttered under my breath. "He kidnaps me for a surprise trip, makes me drive, and then abandons me here? So shameless."

I stabbed another piece of chicken dramatically, pretending it was his face.

But the truth?

My heart was fluttering like crazy. Because he was finally dragging me somewhere he chose. Perhaps this was what he said last week, that this time he will choose his happiness and forgive himself. I’m just glad I am included in that happiness.

Just the two of us. On a trip he planned. With a destination he’s keeping secret on purpose.

And despite my complaints, I couldn’t stop smiling like an idiot.

Whatever he was planning... I was dying to find out.

After finishing my meal, I wandered over to the café counter and bought myself an iced coffee, extra strong, because according to the GPS, we still had a full hour before reaching... wherever Oliver was dragging me.

He still refused to tell me.

When I walked back to the parking lot, he was already there—leaning casually against the driver’s side door like some leading man in a drama, sleeves rolled up, arm sling and all, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

I rolled my eyes at him and made a face as I reached for the door handle.

But he stepped in front of it, blocking me, and without a word... handed me a bouquet.

A full bouquet.

Pastel roses, white tulips, little sprays of baby’s breath. Soft, warm colors that looked almost too romantic for a rest stop.

And he just smiled at me—that smile.

The one that shows his dimples and makes him look like a troublemaking boy pretending he’s innocent.

"What is this for?" I asked, grinning despite myself as I accepted it.

"For you," he said simply. "For being such a helpful girlfriend... and so cooperative."

I lifted the bouquet to smell it, but froze mid-inhale. Slowly, I lowered it and narrowed my eyes at him.

"I’m sorry... what?" I pointed at myself. "So I’m your girlfriend now? When exactly did that happen? Because clearly no one gave me the memo."

The look on his face, a mix of confusion, panic, and ’did-I-mess-up-again?’—was priceless. I wanted to laugh, but controlled myself very hard.

"Aren’t we back together?" he asked, brows furrowed, the tiniest frown forming like he genuinely couldn’t understand what he said wrong. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

And just like that, my chest tightened—equal parts warmth and amusement swelling through me.

God. This man.

A well-known lawyer in the country. Brilliant in court. Absolutely clueless in dating. That’s my Ollie in a nutshell.

"Hmm..." I tapped my lips dramatically. "I do remember you saying you want me—blah, blah, blah—and yes, I said I want you too. But other than that? I don’t recall us officially agreeing on anything."

His brows shot up, confused puppy mode activated. "Do we have to? I—I thought it was understood. That we had a... mutual understanding already. I thought everything was cleared up and we were back together..."

I grinned, enjoying the way he was scrambling. "Well, you tell me. You’re the lawyer here. And you of all people should know how important clarity is." I nudged past him and pulled the door open. "But anyway, let’s talk about it later. It’s hot as hell and I need air-conditioning before I melt."

I barely got one foot inside when Ollie’s arm slid around my waist and yanked me back. I let out a startled yelp as I collided against his chest.

"No," he said, voice low and stubborn—the lawyer tone he uses when he’s already made up his mind. "This won’t do. I refuse to settle it later. We’re settling it now."

And before I could even roll my eyes or tease him again, his lips were on mine.

It happened so fast my brain lagged. But my body? Oh, my traitorous, eager body. By the time I processed that Oliver Morris was kissing me in a gas-station parking lot, my arms were already looped around his neck, pulling him closer, kissing him back like I’d been waiting for this moment all over again.

Oliver pulled away first, breath brushing against my lips as if he already missed the contact. His hand stayed on my waist for a second longer, just enough to make my stomach somersault, before he straightened up.

"Okay," he said, voice still slightly husky. "That’s it for now."

For now? My brain stopped again.

"We’ll talk about making that kiss official later," he added, brushing his thumb across my cheek. "Right now, we need to get going or we’ll end up driving in the dark all the way to our destination."

Destination. Right. The secret out-of-town vacation he still refused to tell me about.

Meanwhile, I was still stuck on ’for now’.

He stepped away and casually opened the driver’s side door for me. "Come on, Vics."

But I didn’t move. I couldn’t. My whole body was frozen, rooted to the concrete like my limbs forgot how to move. My mind replayed the kiss in loops, his mouth, his warmth, his certainty, until I was sure my soul had left my body and was hovering overhead in shock.

Oliver glanced back at me... and smirked.

Not the lawyer smirk. Not the CEO smirk.

The I-know-exactly-what-I-just-did-to-you smirk.

He cleared his throat dramatically. "Uh, Miss Knight?" he teased, tilting his head. "Your... seat awaits? Unless you want me to kiss you again just to unfreeze your brain?"

My jaw dropped, but no sound came out. Literally none. I was mute.

He chuckled—soft, low, sinful. "Wow. I stunned the great Vicky Knight speechless. Should I be proud? Because honestly..." His eyes dropped briefly to my lips before flicking back up. "It feels like a personal achievement."

I swallowed and glared at him.

And Ollie leaned closer, voice dropping into my ear, warm and smug and annoyingly sexy.

"Get in the car, Vicky. Or I swear, I’m going to kiss you again... and then we really won’t make it before nightfall."

*****

Thank you for the Golden Ticket!

CozyReader

Edna_R2679