Page 83 of Barbed Wire Hearts

I can’t help but smile. “Maine Coons are just easy natured is all.”

“Still think you’re a witch,” Wiley teases. “But you can cast a spell on me any time, witchy woman.”

He leans over and presses a sweet kiss on my lips that has my toes curling in my boots. Still, there’s this overwhelming exhaustion around us, so he pulls away with a smile and we continue eating our food.

I look around at them, my red flags, and smile. If they’re gonna be red, I guess I should at least make it a carnival, right?

Kind of wish I had some red fingernail polish to tease them with.

* * *

I don’t know how long I sleep that night before I’m sitting up with a gasp, my nightmares echoing in my mind. I’d dreamed that a man came to take me in the night, and when I’d looked at him, he’d slowly morphed into a large crow that cawed in my face before digging its claws in my side. I’d come to just as he’d tried to drag me away.

It’s a wonder I didn’t scream, but I somehow kept it back. Instead, I’m covered in a cold sweat and I’m panting so hard, my heart thunders in my ears. Fuzz is fast asleep in his pouch hanging from the top of the tent despite his penchant for exploring, so at least I hadn’t rolled over on his or something.

The fire outside the tent is low, and when Dakota dips his head in at the sounds of my movement, I’m not surprised. He likely heard all of my fear in my gasp and came to investigate.

“You okay?” he whispers, his eyes searching around my small tent.

“Yeah,” I rasp quietly, shoving my hair out of my face. “Just bad dreams.”

He seems to hesitate, as if he wants to go back to watching out for trouble instead of dealing with my emotions. I’m surprised when he kicks off his boots and climbs into the tent with me instead.

“What are you doing?” I ask, staring at him as he sits cross-legged beside me. There isn’t much room inside my tent. It’s only big enough for two max, but despite his height, he manages to fit himself in the free space beside my sleeping bag.

“I’m gonna help you sleep better,” he says, before reaching over and closing up the tent flap.

I narrow my eyes despite my exhaustion. “How exactly?”

He focuses his eyes on me. He’s really an attractive man. I don’t know how he hasn’t married someone by now and assume it’s only because he had no interest to. His beard is filling in since he hasn’t shaved since before the drive. He could have in the camper they park for us, but I assume it takes too much time each night after all the herding, so he just doesn’t. He often has a short beard, but right now, with it as full as it is, it gives him a devilish look. He’s not wearing his hat right now, his hair tousled from his own sleep earlier. He must have switched with Levi at some point.

“By making you too tired to have nightmares,” he says. His eyes flash. “Now take off your clothes.”

“You think you can just come in here and order me around?” I growl, crossing my arms in a huff.

“Yes,” he answers. And then he waits, his eyes on me.

My instinct is to fight him on it, to refuse to take off my clothes. But the other part of me wants the release, wants him to help me. So I roll my eyes after a few minutes and pull my shirt over my head.

“Fine,” I grumble, undressing all the way and sitting before him naked. There’s a bit of a chill in the air despite it being almost summer. His eyes focus on where my nipples pebble and he hums low in his throat.

“Touch yourself,” he orders.

“What are you gonna do?” I ask.

“Watch,” he says. “For now.”

I sigh and lean back, part of me enjoying this game. I’m already wet when I reach between my thighs, and I circle my clit, spreading my wetness around. He watches, his eyes riveted to the movements of my hand. In the low light around us, it’s hard to see much, but I know he sees. His perception of me gets me hot, and I start to move my hand faster.

I moan softly.

“You can’t be loud,” he whispers. “The others need their sleep.”

“Right,” I gasp, stroking myself faster. But I moan again, and he growls. This time, the sound is threatening.

“If you can’t be quiet, I’ll make you be quiet,” he grunts. “Turn over, ass in the air, face in the pillow. For every sound you let out, I’m going to make you come.”

I freeze. “What?”

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