Page 1 of Prairie Nights

PROLOGUE

Whitney Faris peeled her eyes open, mascara caked to her eyelashes. Immediately assaulted by a harsh stream of light escaping the thick hotel room curtains, she squinted as she tried to figure out where she was.

A wall of warmth to her back and a soft snore made her eyes widen as memories of the night before came at her in a flashback. Very dirty memories of the man next to her. Alcohol infused memories rolling through her mind like a theatre reel. Oh my God.

She sat up quietly, taking a moment to regain her equilibrium, her head spinning from the intoxication of last night. Glancing down at herself, the thin hotel room sheet barely covering her naked breasts, she winced as her eyes darted to her left to the very naked, very sexy, Hayden Hastings. Facing away from her, she unapologetically let her eyes roam over his muscular back and taut behind not covered by the sheet. Damn, he’s sexy. Damn, he knew exactly what to do with that magnificent body. Her eyes widened in panic. Damn, this is not something I do. A wave of regret washed over her. What have I done?

At 34, Whitney wasn’t the kind of woman that went home with men she barely knew. She wasn’t the kind of woman who went home with anyone. This was not her modus operandi, ever. Seven years out of an emotionally abusive marriage, she had dated a lot, but had never gone home with a man. Especially a man she had known less than 24 hours. What was I thinking?

Groaning internally at the awkward situation she found herself in, Whitney slipped out of the bed as silently as she could, trying not to disturb the hot as hell man fast asleep in the hotel room bed. Naked, she searched for her clothing, finding her bra and panties in the corner and her green cocktail dress lying in a crumpled pile next to a chair. Flashes of their frantic undressing clouding her thoughts as she considered how he expertly removed her dress and underwear as he kissed, sucked, and bit at her skin. Oh God, he knew just how to use his tongue. Her core pulsated at the vision of his head buried between her legs. That was before…her thoughts trailed off as all that they had done last night came back to her in a rush. The soreness between her thighs, a stark reminder.

I need to get out of here, panic taking over. Before he wakes up and I’m subjected to an awkward morning after conversation. Quickly putting on her bra and panties, she slipped back into her wrinkled dress, thanking all the yoga classes for the flexibility she had so she could zip herself up.

Taking a quick look at her reflection in the full-length hotel room mirror, she shook her head at her disheveled reflection. This is not you. This is not who you are. Quickly smoothing down her shoulder-length blonde hair and finger combing through the tangles, she wiped away the black flakes of mascara from under her deep brown eyes.

Hayden stirred, murmuring in his sleep. She stilled, waiting to see if he would wake and praying to the gods that he wouldn’t. His steady snore returned, causing her to sigh with relief as she slipped her clutch under her arm and grabbed her high heels. Tiptoeing towards the hotel room door, she stole one last glance at the gorgeous man fast asleep in the rumpled bed and exited the room, for her very first walk of shame.

CHAPTER 1

Hayden Hastings nursed his beer as he sat at the head table watching wedding guests dance and groove to a compilation of popular 80s tunes. The whir of the heaters making the large white tent warm and inviting as well as adding their slow hum to the already loud music, laughter, and chatter of the guests. Where he sat, he had a perfect view of the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on: Whitney Faris. She moved to the music; her petite figure willowy but curvaceous in all the right places. Memories of their one night together three weeks prior, when he touched, tasted, and devoured every inch of that gorgeous body rolled through his mind on repeat. How incredibly soft her skin was under his touch. How she tasted on his tongue. The delectable sounds she made as he pleasured her. Each naughty memory making his heart pound faster and arousal burned low in his belly.

Whitney Faris was not like any other woman he had met before. On top of being drop dead gorgeous, she was an incredibly sophisticated city girl who carried herself with an air of grace and confidence he had never encountered before. Sharp and witty, with a laugh that was heartfelt and contagious. In his eyes, Whitney was the complete package.

After their mind-blowing, albeit intoxicated night together, resulting in her unexpectedly hasty exit, he was, as expected, not sure where she stood with him. Without question, he wanted to know more about her, but did she want to get to know him? From the sly glances she kept stealing his way, he had a gut feeling she did.

“Hey, brother. Why aren’t you on the dance floor?”

Hayden looked up to his newly married big brother, Ben Hastings, his blue eyes questioning. “Just enjoying the view.” He replied, tipping the neck of his beer towards Whitney, laughing and shaking her backside on the dance floor.

Ben’s gaze followed his gesture, and he turned back to his brother with an acknowledging grin. “Are you interested in Whitney?” he asked,taking a seat next to Hayden. “She’s a pretty great girl.”

“Yeah, sexy as hell too.” Hayden remarked, not peeling his eyes off her.

Ben frowned and gave his brother his signature scowl. Hayden glanced at Ben, catching his scrutinizing glare. “Put your critical thoughts away, Ben.” he said, giving his brother the side eye. “I know you always have an opinion on my love life.”

“I just think you need to take it easy, Hayden.” Ben replied, giving him a knowing look. “You always jump in feet first and end up getting hurt in the process.”

Hayden took a long sip of his beer and his eyes settling on his brother, knowing he was right. Hayden’s dating “antics” had become the stuff of legend in Primrose. As a successful, handsome business owner, and eligible guy in his late 20s, he had become a hot commodity for all the single ladies in town and for all “the desperate to marry off their daughters mothers” trying to set him up. But behind all his ultimate single guy persona lay a self admitted hopeless romantic. He wanted more than anything to find his one person and was never afraid to put himself out there to make it happen. Even if it meant he fell flat on his face or, quite often in his case, had his heart broken.

“Do you think Whitney would hurt me?” he asked with a small chuckle, thinking his brother was absurd to think so.

“No, I’m more concerned that you’re going to hurt her.”

Hayden took in his brother’s offhanded comment, his face morphing into a deep frown. “Why would you say that?” he asked, now thoroughly annoyed with his brother.

“I’m not saying you would intentionally hurt her, Hayden.” Ben clarified. “But you need to be careful with her. I don’t know her entire story. But I know she was married before, and it ended badly,” he informed. “From what Ever has mentioned, she doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to dating and she’s very guarded with her heart.” Hayden turned to Ben, his eyes full of questions and imploring him to continue. “All I know is she was married young, and he was not a nice guy, if you know what I mean,” Ben continued, giving Hayden a wary look.

“Abusive?” Hayden asked, his brows furrowing.

“No idea. I don’t think Ever even knows all the details. Just that it was a very bad situation, and she’s been divorced for at least five years now.”

Hayden slowly returned his gaze to the stunning woman confidently shaking her body on the dance floor. The information Ben just provided, not adding up to him. She carried herself with so much confidence. He would never have known that she had been through so much, let alone, have experienced a failed marriage.

“I’m just saying if you’re going to pursue her, make sure you treat her well.”

“I always treat the girls I date well!” Hayden replied, locking his brother with a defensive stare.

“What I mean, Hayden, is that Whitney is not a conquest. She’s not that kind of woman,” Ben explained, referring to his presumed history of promiscuity. “Just be careful with her.”

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