Page 35 of The Darkest Knight

She entered her cabin with Abby and strode through the open floor plan, straight into the bathroom where she turned on the water. Steam billowed from behind the glass door and she was grateful for the hot water. She’d have to scrub the paint from her skin. As tired as she was, she was proud of how the walls turned out on the first cabin. Seth had placed the decorating in her hands, and she had jotted down an entire list of ideas of making each cabin comfy and welcoming.

Stepping out of the standup shower, she dried off, sprayed her body with a vanilla mist and somehow the scent reminded her of callused hands smoothing over her body. Why couldn’t Seth be just some normal guy she met at a bar, they could have wild sex and walk away satisfied. First, there was nothing normal about him, and although she believed the sex would be on the wilder side, one time just might not be enough to satisfy the buried need she’d been carrying around for days.

This situation could be labeled as dangerous. If she unleashed the need, she’d find herself neck deep in the Dark Knight. She didn’t have time for a relationship, didn’t even want one. Nowhere on her priority list could she find hot man and wild sex. Her agenda didn’t include broad shoulders, coiled muscles, and a protector who had as much baggage as she did. She couldn’t forget how she’d screwed up her relationship with Brandon, and she’d caused him a world of pain when she’d left.

She’d have to forget about Seth and his magnificent hands. How his muscles moved with power and ease. How beautiful his eyes were when they pierced her with an invisible desire.

*****

Seth pulled his truck up in front of the cabin where he’d expected to find Reese, but instead he found it empty. His gut tightened as he stepped back out onto the porch. The sun was setting and it took on a bright orange tone against the backdrop of the fading blue sky.

Now where was she?

He could have sworn he’d told her he’d give her a ride down the hill. Although she was a strong, independent woman, he couldn’t let her walk, especially after the day she’d had. He didn’t have a clue what brought on seizures, but while she was here on his land, he took it upon himself to keep her safe.

“You looking for Reese?” Gage had pulled up and was hanging his head out of the window.

“Yeah.”

“Lex picked her up almost twenty minutes ago.”

His gut tightening, Seth tried not to show it. Reese was a beautiful, smart woman, so no doubt she’d have men interested, and he wasn’t quite sure why that bothered him, but he’d been witness to how Lex acted around her. Seth might have it bad, but he was glad he didn’t turn into a sappy fool every time he was close to her.

No, he just turned into a belligerent jackass.

“Hey, we’re heading to Mountain Mug later. Maybe play some darts, listen to some music, shoot the shit. Want to join us?”

Opening his mouth to say one thing, he paused. He could stay here, irritated and frustrated, or go with his buddies and have a drink. It might help get his mind back on track. Normally, he’d be all in on the first, but lately he’d been nothing but a ball of tension and tight balls. He’d committed to keeping his hands-off Reese, but it was getting harder and harder. “You heading there now?”

“Stopping at the house, washing my face, and grabbing a clean shirt, then I’ll be there. You coming?”

“You know, an ice-cold beer doesn’t sound too bad.” He waved at his buddy and climbed into his own truck, his eyes landing on the envelope filled with cash. He’d tried his best to get Rosita to keep it, but she’d refused. He couldn’t be happier knowing that she’d landed a great job, could pay her bills and take care of her kids. Hanson deserved the best for his family.

Sticking the envelope into the glove compartment, he had a few errands to do on the land before he headed to Mountain Mug. Although he went in one direction, his mind strolled toward the small cabin where he guessed Reese was now.

Grumbling under his breath, he checked all the cabins to make sure they were locked and then headed to his cabin to get changed. He didn’t even stop to see Reese before he drove into town where he hoped he’d find a sliver of solace in beer. He wasn’t much of a drinker, never had been, but having a few on occasion never hurt anyone. And when he walked into the bar and found his buddies already sitting at a round table, he knew he’d have some catching up to do. They were laughing and carrying on. Something about them sitting around, talking about the past, didn’t slam into Seth’s chest as much as he’d expected. Better than being home fuming over the ache in his gut.

He strolled toward the men and they must have seen something dangerous in his expression because their eyes widened. “You need this more than we do.” Johnny pushed a mug of beer toward Seth as he pulled out a chair and dropped into the wood that creaked.

“Glad to see you here.” Lex lifted his beer and saluted Seth. “After a hard day, we deserve this.”

“How’s Reese?” Gage asked.

Seth’s breath hitched. “I haven’t seen her since earlier.”

“She was fine when I dropped her off,” Lex added.

Instead of grinding his teeth, Seth took a drink. He sucked down most of the beer. The waitress scooted over and he was surprised it wasn’t Monica. He ordered another, barely registering the waitress’s hand on his back. His thoughts were on Reese. Damn woman. He’d heard a tale that some came along unexpected and wrapped a man around her itty-bitty finger before he could come up for air, but he hadn’t believed it until now. She was trying and he was resistant. He would never be one of those men, sloppy-ass deep in love. Never. Ever. He winced.

So what that she had perfectly shaped lips, a body that could take down giants, and a laugh that made him instantly feel lighter. Hell, he never chased after any woman. They tended to chase him.

Troubling was the fact that she looked at him as if she begged for his kisses, wore those short shorts that showed off the sweetest ass he’d ever had the privilege of seeing, and then she gave him the cold shoulder. The urge to spank her was almost as strong as the urge to kiss her until she was ready and willing.

The waitress in the too-tight T-shirt and shorts returned and offered him a smile that didn’t entice him nearly like Reese’s did. Her nametag read “Melanie” and she was new here. She set a pitcher close to him, brushing her double Ds against his shoulder and laying her slender fingers on his wrist. No response in his body whatsoever. He was broken, just as he’d suspected.

“I thought you boys could use a pitcher. If you need anything else, you know who to call.” She winked.

The men shifted in their seats, but Seth grabbed the pitcher and filled his mug before the waitress left the table. This was the most he’d drunk within minutes in a long time. He set the glass down with a loud thump, wishing he could reach in and grab the unwanted thoughts and wrangle them into oblivion.

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