Page 15 of Hothead

That’s more like it.

She went to him then, thumping onto the ground next to him and shuffling closer until she could wrap her hands around his waist. He came willingly into her hold. His head resting on her shoulder as his own arms curled around her body.

Bella had no idea how long they stayed like that. In the quiet. With only the sounds of their breaths mingling and the birds singing. But right now, she knew she needed this just as much as he did. Grief was one hell of a motherfucker.

***

The journey back tothe ranch was super quiet. Luke was clearly pissed he’d let his mask slip, even if it was only for a short while.

Bella had a feeling he wasn’t as good at hiding as he thought he was, though. She’d known him ... what, a couple of days? And already he’d shown her a lot more of himself than she suspected, he showed anyone else.

By the time Luke slammed the passenger door shut, she was thankful for the reprieve. The intensity inside her Prius was almost suffocating. She was fairly certain a minute longer in the car and she would have choked.

It was only after she’d gulped down a lung full of fresh air that she noticed the normally deserted gravel around the main house was unusually full ... of cars.

As if on cue, Wade and several people she didn’t recognize began filing out of the front door.

“Bella!” Wade waved, changing his direction and leading the group over toward Luke and her.

Putting on her happy, friendly face, she tried for a smile. Well aware she had Luke’s full attention. Even with a whole car between them, she still felt those dark eyes sink into her skin.

“Glad we caught you,” Wade started even before he’d finished closing the distance. “Bella, I’d like you to meet your new neighbors. Guys, this is Bella, another guest on the ranch.”

For some reason, her brain decided a dorky wave would be appropriate. It was too late to stop it now. She was already waving and trying her best not to grimace at the group.

“I’m Calvin.” A man who looked like he couldn’t be too much older than her broke free from the herd to shake her hand.

“Hi, Calvin, nice to meet you.” She attempted a warm smile, but her mouth wasn’t cooperating.

What’s with me today?

She didn’t even know why she was bothering to ask herself that when the answer was obvious. Luke. Luke, who was saddling up next to her.

But his presence or the scowl he was giving poor old Calvin wasn’t the strangest thing to happen, not when you compare it to what happened next. Luke’s hand shot out and curved around her waist. And pulled. Until she was tucked into his side.

“Oh, uh, is this your husband?” Calvin asked, looking a little sheepish.

The snort she emitted wasn’t the most ladylike. But who the hell cared.

“Uh, no, this is not myhusband.” She took a moment to glare at Luke before turning back to Calvin. “This is Luke. Afriend.”

Luke scoffed then, tightening his grip on her hip.

“Okay.” Wade clapped his hands, likely attempting to break the tension. “Well, we just wanted to say hi. And don’t forget, if you wanna join these guys on any of the excursions they’ve got booked, just give me a shout. Oh, and I expect to see you at the barbecue on Friday.” He flashed her those dimples again. Damn. She’d forgotten she’d already agreed to go to that.

“We’ll be there.” Luke nodded at Wade and then to Calvin.

Will we?

This guy was giving her whiplash with these mood swings.

As Wade directed the guests back the way they came, she attempted to turn, mostly to shoot daggers directly into Luke’s eyes, but it was harder than she thought, especially with his big hand still on her in a vice-like grip.

When she did eventually manage to twist in his hold, she was far too close to him and his dumb intoxicating peppery leather scent that she was in no way enjoying breathing in.

“Wewill be there?” She wasn’t going to let the flecks of black in his eyes distract her. No, siree.

“Yup.” He was giving her nothing. No smile. No frown. No nothing. Just a blank and mildly infuriating stare.

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