Page 355 of Steamy Ever After

“I made a decision that was in the best interests of everyone involved.”

“How so?”

“First off, it would’ve put Henry out coming all this way to get you last night, and with the snow still falling, not to mention not knowing where your car might be, I figured why do that to him? Much easier to find your car in daylight. You were safe, and I needed more time to see the real you, instead of the scared, terrified, out of your element, you.”

“I feel like I should be really mad at you about now.” The key word being should, but I’m not mad at all. I’m incredibly touched.

“Probably, but it all turned out for the best.”

“How’s that?”

“Because that kiss knocked you off your feet.” His grin turns into a smirk. “My plan worked out just the way it needed to. Now, I know I’ll see you again. We’re finishing what we started. It’s just a matter of when.”

“Is that so?” I stare up at him, trying to be stern with him, but his grin brings a smile to my face.

“Tell me that kiss didn’t rock your world.” He grabs me around the waist and yanks me against him, letting the long, hard length of him press against my belly. “I’m so hard right now, city girl, I can barely think. My dick is going to drill a hole in my pants.”

“You’re not exactly shy.”

“Why bother beating around the bush? I wanted to kiss you, so I did. I want to fuck you, and I will.” Drake releases me. “Just not right now.”

“You sure don’t beat around the bush.” My fingers lift to press against my swollen lips.

A horn honks outside.

I’m not ready to leave. Drake is cocky as shit. I love it. And I definitely want to see him again. He played me, maneuvering me right where he wanted. I give him points for being so damn slick about it.

“Why waste time when we’re grown, consenting adults. I told you I’m not a gentle man. I’m also not slow when I find a woman who interests me. This thing between us, city girl, it’s only just beginning.”

Henry leans on the horn, demanding our attention.

I bend down and grab the jacket Bert loaned me. While dusting off straw and dirt, the chill in the air seems to magically reappear. A few seconds ago, my entire body heated with passion. Now, the crisp morning air reminds me this is Montana in May instead of Redlands, where the temperatures start pegging triple digits by now.

He leans down and kisses my brow, a slow sensual press of his lips and a promise for more. “Consider this your reprieve. Next time, there’s no way I’m stopping at a simple kiss.”

Only there was nothing simple about that kiss.

“Bert!” A deep voice yells outside. “Drake!” Snow crunches under the weight of heavy boots. “You guys around?”

Drake presses his lips against mine, a soft, gentle caress, more damaging than our first kiss because, in that moment, he cements his promise to make me his.

“In here,” he calls out. “Henry, we’re in here.”

Grasping my hand in his, he shrugs into his jacket and pulls me outside. The blaze of the morning sun beats down on the snow, melting it. It’s only a few degrees above freezing, nothing like the nearly sub-zero temperatures of last night.

The corners of my lips turn up when I spy Henry. I suffer from the same preconceived notions about the tow truck driver that I did with Bert. But I giggle because Henry is the epitome of my stereotype.

With his grease-stained overalls, blue and white plaid shirt, and heavy boots, he has a stem of hay firmly planted between his teeth. The only thing he doesn’t have is the cowboy hat. Instead, he wears a black knit beanie pulled down over his ears. His expression brightens when he catches sight of me. He gives a long, low, whistle.

Drake squeezes my hand and pulls me close to his side.

“Henry Watkins, meet Abby Knight.”

My heart stumbles to a halt. That is the first time Drake has said my name, and the low rumble of possession falters my step.

Ignoring the odd range of emotions flowing through my mind, I focus on Henry. “Thank you for coming out to help me.”

Henry pulls off his cap, revealing a bald head. “Pleasure’s all mine. Heard you ran into a ditch.”

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