Page 20 of Found By You

Maci giggles. “I mean, it kind of is? But I’m not so sure it’s the way to go for him.”

“I’ll let him know you said that.”

“No, you won’t,” she gasps, swatting my arm playfully. I throw my head back with a laugh. “Duke, don’t you dare.”

I chuckle deeply at her forced pout and the lingering play of a smile on her lips. Goddamn, even when she’s pouting, she’s stunning. “All right, all right,” I give in. “I won’t say anything…while you’re still in town.”

She laughs. “Well, don’t hold your breath. I might be here a while.”

I grin from ear to ear, liking the sound of that more and more by the minute. Maybe she’ll even be willing to give me a chance…

Wait. Do I want a chance?

Seven.

Maci

Duke peels out of his parents’ driveway, hitting the gas a little harder than necessary. I watch in the side mirror at—what I’m assuming is—his mother, trying to wave him down from their gorgeous, rustic farmhouse porch.

Seriously, this place is out of a magazine it’s so breathtaking. Wrapped in classic Christmas décor—from the wreaths on every window to the white lights intertwined in garland—I’d love a picture if we weren’t barreling in the opposite direction.

“I think she wants you to stop,” I say, turning to Duke.

He grumbles under his breath, his hold on the wheel gripping a little tighter. I find myself staring at him with a flood of need between my thighs for not the first time today.

What is it with rugged men like him who can look sexy doing just about anything? They have no business turning women on with their competency. The way they use their palm to turn the steering wheel or stretch their arm over the back of the passenger seat when going in reverse.

Competency porn is real.

And my panties have been melting since last night.

Lay me out to dry if I ever see this man take out the trash without having to be asked.

“I’ll see her tonight.”

“Is it because of me?” I blurt out. Subtle, Maci.

I’d feel awful if I was causing a problem for him. I’m beyond grateful that he’s the one who stopped to help me. Last night and this morning. He’s one of the good ones. At least, from what I’ve seen. I trust him, I realize.

And the thought alone is enough to sober me from the stark fear of it. I haven’t trusted anyone in a long, long time…

Duke rubs his face roughly, gaze darting between me and the road. “Do you want me to lie to you?”

“If you expect the truth from me, then I expect the truth from you.” Where’d that come from?

He takes in a deep breath, blowing it out with his words, “Then yeah, it’s because you’re in here with me.” My heart does a sad little dip despite myself. “It’s nothing against you,” he quickly adds, “I just know how she is, and there’s been a few things going on… I don’t want her reading me the riot act.”

I raise a brow. “You left in a hurry because you didn’t want to get yelled at by your mom?”

He scoffs. “When you say it like that, it sounds bad.”

“How old are you again?” I laugh.

“What the hell does my age have to do with it?” He chuckles. “You’ve never gotten your ass chewed out by Julie Montgomery. Trust me, it ain’t a pleasant experience.”

His cell phone rings, and he checks the caller ID, then promptly ignores it, placing it on the center console.

“You’re digging your grave deeper by pulling that move,” I tell him.

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