Page 23 of Scent of Home

There is one exception.

She is a challenge that I want to dance with. But with him, it’s instinctive. I just want to wrap myself around him and make him mine. Fuck him until I smell like him and he smells like me.

I’ve been feeling numb with life lately, the same humdrum existence that sees me go to work, go to the pub, go to my empty loft alone. Repeat. Over and over.

Seeing her, tasting that mocha exploded the world into glorious surround sound. I already know I’m not going to stay away. I don’t see the point in trying.

I get in the car and start the engine. It sounds perfect, so I turn it off and set to packing up. Normally, these festivals are boring. But not today. Today, there’s a reason to get excited to wander around.

Hell, even Shane has lost his appeal in the wake of those two.

I climb up the backstairs and go into my apartment. Okay, it’s a shit-hole. But I don’t need much. I can’t give anyone a decent home. I can’t offer them money or an easy life. But I can give them fun, a good fuck, and a great memory.

Hopefully, it’s enough.

I leave my apartment clean and smelling like myself again. The sounds of the festival hit me hard.

Layla, who works at the diner, has opened the bi-fold doors, allowing the scents of her festival menu to permeate the air. My mouth waters, and I turn in, smiling wickedly when I spot a familiar shape. I sidle up behind him and lean in close.

“Your ass looks amazing in those jeans.”

Shane stiffens, his whole body going tense. My blood pumps, and I have to choke back the laugh that’s trying to come out.

“Brayson!”

I wince. “Fun-ruining Finn. Do you have a chip in the back of my neck that tells you where I am?”

“No, I don’t need it. I just follow the scent of mischief.”

“You gotta admit, his ass does look amazing today.” I glance lazily at Finn, noting his dove grey shirt and tight jeans, and gesture to Shane’s ass.

Finn’s eyes drop and hold long enough to, again, give me the sneaking suspicion that I’m not the only one with a hard-on for the antisocial mountain man.

“I’ll confirm that ass is fine.”

I clutch a hand to my heart. “Be still, you hot young thing. Come here and admire it with me.”

Locke laughs and sidles in between me and Finn, but Shane turns.

“Hello, mountain man,” Locke purrs. The sound has me mesmerized. He looks more comfortable today, his hair still has that messiness like he’s just got out of bed. And his blue-green eyes appear more blue today, the shade intense.

Shane grumbles as he looks Locke up and down. He follows it up by pausing for a moment too long on where my shirt is stretched across my chest. I inhale, causing the material to pull further.

I don’t know what his game is, but I’m getting sick of it. It’s been five years since he came to town and took up in one of Finn’s cabins.

I wrap my arms around Locke and lean my chin on his shoulder. “Do you taste as good as you smell?” I ask the younger man.

He groans.

Mocha fills the air, and I grin as she appears by Finn’s side. I wonder if she’ll be jealous, but no, she takes us in and steps up to the counter, ignoring Shane, Finn, and me snuggling her paramour. The dress she’s wearing highlights her waistline and flares out. I want to rip the fabric off her body, especially since she’s ignoring us. Her hair flows down her back, and I note a slight curl near the tips. She really is stunning, and I think it’s her confidence that has drawn all our attention, we are like moths to a flame.

“Hey, I’m in desperate need of coffee.”

Shane is staring at her, which does not escape my or Locke’s knowledge. He winks at me, and I think maybe I’ve found myself a kindred spirit.

“Can you really afford to eat here?” Shane asks in a scathing tone, but it’s the words that sink in, bringing a hot flush through my body. My body stiffens, and I remove my arm from Locke, standing up and putting space between us.

I shove him and get in his face. “Are you really going to do that?” I hiss. “Humiliate me? You want to go down this path with me, Shane?”

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