Page 59 of The Runaway

“Pepper,” I warn. Because there is no fucking way I’m getting into bed with her when she’s bottomless. And smells…like dessert.

I’ve got boundaries, but I have little faith my dick could hold out.

“Could you get the light? Thanks.” She twists under the covers, facing the window, and by the way the top of her shirt twists with her, her bottom has to be completely exposed under those sheets.

I’m trapped.

I’m fucked.

Well-played, Princess. Well-fucking-played.

15

Okay. So last night wasn’t my most decent moment.

In fact, I was very indecent.

But he was asking for it. Oh, that sounds so wrong.

He…pushed my buttons. He practically dared me. And Pepper Woods doesn’t shy away from a dare.

But boy did I want to wipe that pretty boy smirk off his face.

We’re driving to Denver after catching a quick breakfast at the bakery. I don’t blame him for not wanting to see his dad or brothers after the ambush last night.

The look on his face was priceless.

“What are you smiling about?” he asks, glancing at me then focusing on the road.

It’s early and the game isn’t until seven. And Chase has nothing but revenge on his mind because he’s planned another skating session for me before his call time.

“Just thinking about the look on your face when you walked into the Inn last night.”

He shakes his head. “I can’t believe you agreed to it.”

“You said I should hide in plain sight, right?”

“That’s not what I had in mind.” He moves his hand off the wheel and glances at the phone he’s got resting on the magnetic holder. He scrolls through what looks like an Instagram feed.

“Shouldn’t you be watching the road?”

“I need to make sure no one has close photos of you up anywhere.”

“What if they do?”

He considers it. “It depends on how close. And if it’s deliberate.”

“You mean like if it’s a mug shot or a genuine selfie with the bride to be?”

“Yeah.” He takes his eyes off his phone. “It doesn’t matter,” he determines. “You’re Pepper Woods. We’ve never heard of a Penelope Walker. And you and I will be married by spring.”

“We will?”

“No genius. That’s our story.”

Of course that’s our story. But it does make me think about the future. I can’t stay in Hideaway Springs. We’ll need to come up with a new story.

One that will affect him.

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