Page 45 of Scent of Home

I tilt my head to the side and match his smile with one of my own. “You’ll never know now. Almost seems a shame.”

“You’re my scent match. You wouldn’t have been able to hold out.”

I lean in close and press my lips to his still naked chest. “Keep telling yourself that.”

I let him go, turn, and with a sexy snap of my hips, I prowl out of the men’s room and straight into Shane’s giant frame.

His hands grab me, holding me in place. It’s not often I feel small, vulnerable, and petite, but he and Bray make me feel very much all of those things. It’s cute, but I feel a need to stomp my dominance down, making sure they know I won’t be taking man orders.

“Hands off, sexy.”

Shane splutters and lifts his hands off me straight away.

“Good job.” I step around him, but instead of going into the bathroom like I expect, he follows me outside.

I inhale the cold air, it’s clean. I noticed it earlier, but now I appreciate it. The lack of roaring traffic, horns, and sirens is still a little unnerving, but the insects are unusually loud, and why is it so dark out here?

Shane stops beside me.

“I’m not going to help you if you want an excuse to get out of this heat. I think you should join us. Also, just for the record, I think we’re going to need you there.”

“You don’t know me!” Shane huffs.

I glance at him. “Nope. I don’t. Not really, but I trust my instincts, and they tell me that you’re a good person.”

He tilts his head back, and his shoulders slump. “I’m going home.”

“Do you need an armed escort?”

He glances back at me and shakes his head, ignoring my sarcasm.

For a second, I don’t move, but then I spring towards him, catch up, and walk beside him.

“What are you doing?”

“Walking you home. I’d hate for someone to take advantage of you,” I say with complete seriousness.

I have no idea how I keep a straight face, but I manage it. He keeps moving away, but I make sure I’m standing as close to him as I can, our arms brushing.

“So, who is Shane?”

“What?”

The deep growl raises goosebumps.

“Who are you, Shane?”

He’s silent. I increase my stride as he starts to pull away, but then he turns, his hands landing on my hips.

“Ooh, this is cozy.”

He growls. I look up at the flash of light in his eyes. “Spiderweb.”

I pat his chest lightly. “That is the most sexy pickup line I’ve ever heard.” I can see his frustration a moment before I laugh. “Thanks for the assist. Lead me to the cabin.”

He turns away, but I put my hand in his and cling to him.

“What are you doing?”

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