Page 95 of Burn the Wild

I pump harder, drawing her into me. Our hearts thunder.

Mine.

Mine for the summer.

I don’t get close. I don’t do commitments. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing.

All I know is that the moment my lips meet hers, I know I want to keep doing it with Reese.

We get back to the lodge at dinnertime. Guests file around a corner and enter the cantina. After Reese and I return the poles to reception, she gives me a kiss, then turns to go.

I snag her hand. “Hey, where are you goin’?”

“I don’t know.” She gives me a teasing grin. “Nowhere?”

“Very fucking funny.” I band my arms around her slender waist. “Want to keep the day goin’? Come back to my place?”

“And?” Green eyes glittering, she lifts a brow. “Ford Montgomery, are you trying to get me into bed? Again?”

Funny how weeks ago that’d be my MO. But for once, I’m not thinking about how to get this girl into bed. I’m thinking about how I can get her to stick around a little longer. I like talking to her. And if talking means we find our way into bed, I can deal with that, too.

“Could cook you dinner.” I give her a smirk. “God knows you need a home-cooked meal.”

She punches a finger in my chest. Scoffs. “Combos are a king’s meal, and don’t you forget it.”

“Whatever you say, Birdie Girl.” Then, because I’m an absolute sucker, I drop my mouth to hers and inhale this girl who’s shaken up my entire world.

A throat clears from behind us.

We pull back from each other. Dakota stands nearby, a white pastry box in her hands.

“Playing hooky?” she asks.

“Don’t tell the boss,” I say.

She holds a finger to her lips. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” Dakota’s dark eyes land on Reese.

“There’s someone here to see you.” Dakota hesitates. “He said he’d wait, but I’m not sure if he’s supposed to be here.”

Reese stiffens. Her eyes fly to the leather couch near the great windows. “Oh my God. It’s Gavin.”

My eyes lock onto the bastard. A man in his late forties adjusts his tie and scans the lodge with an expression of disdain. Suddenly, all I want to do is fasten him to my truck’s hitch and do several hundred donuts in the parking lot.

“What the fuck is he doing here?” I take a step forward.

“No.” Reese shoves me back. “Stay here. Let me handle it.”

Before I can say anything, she rushes away.

Dakota comes up beside me. Her touch is cool as she slips a hand around my bicep. “She’s scared of him.”

My hand balls into a fist. “Yeah. She sure as fuck is.”

The sight of Gavin sucks every ounce of joy out of me. All afternoon my heart has been up in the sky with Ford but now this perfect day has plummeted into the ground like a landmine.

“Gavin, what are you doing here?” After our phone call, he probably thought I’d come crawling back because of my money problems. That I’d give in to his demands. That’s why he’s here. Because I’ve survived too long without him.

“Hello to you too, Reese.” Gavin adjusts the cuffs on his Brioni suit. Always tailored. Always in control. That’s Gavin.

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