Page 57 of Hold Me Until Morning

I swore Paisley shot daggers at him.

The hulk of a man just smirked in return. The sight of it tumbled through my belly, and a ripple of intensity rolled through the air when he sat forward, as if he’d single-handedly taken possession of the atmosphere.

“No need for introductions, Paisley. Hails Bells and I are acquainted.” He drew out the last, a scrape of seduction and amusement.

Paisley’s attention swung between us. “You’ve met?”

“I worked at her father’s ranch way back when, and I somehow got lucky enough that now we’re neighbors.”

He said it at the same time as I blurted, “He’s just doing some work at the resort where I’m running the stables.”

Paisely gasped. “You’re working at Cambrey Pines? That’s why we’re here…celebrating Cody and the big job he’s doing right now.” Then her eyes narrowed. “Wait, and you’re neighbors?”

“Right next door.” That grin was in full force when Cody issued it.

Paisley pointed at him, words slashing like razors. “Don’t even think about it.”

She turned back to me. “I already warned him I’d stab him if he gave you any trouble. He’s to be on his best behavior tonight. Aren’t you, Cody? Even if you two already know each other.”

I got the sense it was always like this between them.

Teasing.

Easy.

Comfortable.

Except there wasn’t a thing that felt comfortable when Cody set one of those big hands on his chest. “My very best behavior.”

The words were low and rough and pulsating with that over-the-top arrogance.

A warning blared at the back of my mind.

Yeah, I knew what his type’s best behavior entailed. The evidence was currently sitting on my phone.

“Famous last words,” Dakota tossed out with a chuckle.

Her attention swept to me. “Don’t believe a word that boy says. He might be cute, but there are nothing but lies that come out of his mouth.”

“Wow, even my sister has no issue busting my balls, and on a night that’s supposed to be celebrating my amazing achievements.” He didn’t seem all that offended. “And don’t worry, Hailey here seems to know exactly what she wants.”

His focus was fully on me when he said it.

The flecks of red in his eyes simmered beneath the shadowy light.

A wave of uncertainty ripped through my consciousness.

Unsure if I should stay or if I should run.

I’d resolved to keep as far away from him as possible.

And here I was, drawn into his gravity again.

He patted the stool next to him, that smile turning sly. “Come over here, darlin’, and sit next to me. I promise I don’t bite.”

Dakota was right. The man might be cute, but he was nothing but a liar.

Laughter and voices rang over the loud din of the bar, and the upbeat tempo of the country band thrummed in the air. It spun the energy into something alive and palpable.

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