Page 51 of Scent of Home

“You disappeared.”

I nod. “I needed to speak to Shane.”

He glances away. “Everything okay?”

I almost smile, but I don’t dare. I move towards him, and when I get close enough, I reach out and touch his forearm. Two fingertips on tanned skin that covers hard muscle. I can smell mint and grease from his shop.

“Everything is fine. We just needed to clear the water.”

Bray scowls, but it clears the longer he stares at me. “You smell divine.”

I grin as he leans in, breaking his frozen state. He puts his nose to my neck and inhales.

I swear I feel the tip of his tongue flick out against my skin, but he pulls back, and I’m not sure.

“Do you want to go to dinner with me?”

I cock my head to the side. “Me?”

“And Locke.”

I glance back at Locke, who is still running around with Finn. “I’d like that, and I can let Locke know. Though I’m not sure what his plans are.”

“Tell Finn and,” he clears his throat, “Shane.”

I reach up, putting my fingers lightly on his chest, and when he ducks down, I kiss his cheek.

“That’s all I get?” He whines and pouts prettily.

“If you want something, use your words!” I say lightly and yank on his singlet.

He stumbles towards me, stopping an inch from my lips. “Kiss me like you’ve been dying to kiss me.”

I melt. “That will not be hard. I have been dying to kiss you,” I say honestly.

I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him like he asked me to. I kiss him and let him taste Shane on me. With a desperation that is unlike me, I show him the feel of my desire for Finn and Locke. But more than that, I put all the desire for him into my kiss before I sink back down to my heels and lick my lips.

He inhales slowly and deeply, and only then does he open his eyes. He grabs me by the back of my neck and pulls me back into his arms.

“Where did you come from?” he asks, and it seems to be an honestly baffled question.

“Chesterfield.”

“I don’t have money, Erin, and I’m a joke in this town. I have nothing to give you. Or him. Or Shane. I am a one night fun fuck.”

I tilt my head back so I can see him properly. “I have money. Also, I own my own house. I have all the things. Cars. All that. What I don’t have is friends. Or people I trust to be naked with. People I could have fun with and walk away from an experience with a feeling of satisfaction instead of needing to go and finish myself off.”

I take a breath.

“In two weeks, I’ll be heading home. I want to have some fun. Trust me, I don’t care what everyone says about you. I don’t care what you don’t have. Bray, I trust you, I trust my instincts, and you have what I need. Further, you have what I want. And, really, who gives a flying fuck what anyone else wants?”

I stun myself at my tirade. I trust my instincts again. Wow, that is a big step for me.

Bray strokes my cheek. “I care about what Shane and Finn think.”

I leave that comment well enough alone.

“Do I look like a woman who allows a man to gatekeep who fucks me or not? Let alone a town of people whose opinions mean squat to me?”

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