Page 376 of Steamy Ever After

“Where is this headed?” I gesture between us.

Despite the overland trek, the wolves, and sleeping in the same room—granted in separate twin beds—we’re still practically strangers.

“Don’t act like you don’t feel it.” The tone of his voice changes, heating the air while sending shivers down my spine.

He makes me tremble when he touches me and when he speaks to me in that deep baritone. Everything about Drake makes me tremble. He’s overwhelming in the best possible way.

“Feel, what?” I’m curious and don’t want to guess.

What I know about Drake is he’ll answer all my questions directly, never once beating around the bush. I suppose I know him better than I think.

“The air crackles when we’re together. Instant chemistry. That kiss in the barn?” He leans back and shakes his head. “Nuclear hot.”

“Is that right?”

“Damn straight.” He leans toward me and lowers his voice, making me lean in, narrowing the space between us. That crackling in the air is real. I feel him everywhere. “You may be new in town, but you’re mine. I’m staking my claim.”

“Yours?”

“Most definitely.” He sits back as if he speaks some great truth. No room for disagreement, not with that tone. Not with his unwavering confidence.

“Staking your claim?” I arch a brow, teasing him, but getting more turned on by the minute.

I’ve never been claimed by a man before. I’ve been possessed. That’s what I was to Scott. I was his possession. Somehow, with Drake, being claimed sounds hot.

“Yup. Letting all the single men in town know you’re off the market and making sure the married guys know it too. You’re stuck with me, Dr. Abby Knight. This is definitely going to be a long-term thing.”

“You sound so certain.”

“I know what I like, and I know what I need. I’m even willing to forgive your horrible sense of direction.” He pokes fun at my direction sense which had me walking away from town after the crash.

“Well, I guess I’ll count myself lucky you’ll forgive that egregious sin.”

“Egregious?” He rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “That’s a mighty big word there, city girl. A small-town boy like me might not be able to keep up.”

“Somehow, I have a feeling that’s not going to be a problem.”

“You finished?”

“Um, finished, what?”

“Delaying answering my question? Or have we bantered enough to circle back around to what’s bothering you?”

“You, um, you saw that?”

“Luv, you’re an open book to me.”

“I hope not.”

“Why’s that?”

“Where’s the mystery if you know everything about me?”

“Luv, being an open book only means the pages are available to be read. I’m on page one and loving the way our story is shaping up already. I’m hooked. But don’t worry, there’s plenty to discover along the way, and I’m in no hurry.” He kicks back. “If you’re not comfortable sharing, that’s okay. You’ll tell me when you’re ready. In the meantime, we can watch the movie.”

“You’re nothing like I expect.”

“That’s good to hear. I’ve got a few secrets too. You’re going to have to read the book to find them.”

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