Avoiding the kick aimed towards his groin as he brought her down, Bernard took Marissa in through the driver’s door, moving her over to the passenger seat before joining her, as he knew that if he took her in from the other side, she would get down before he got to the driver’s side. He hurriedly entered and clicked on the button to shut all doors firmly, just as she was readjusting her bent legs so she could open the door.

“I would suggest you conserve your energy,” he said after leaning over to put on her seatbelt after telling her, and she refused with a stubborn tilt to her...