Page 26 of Buckled in Barbwire

“I’m not going anywhere with you.” Paisley plants her boots into the concrete floor for emphasis.

“You’d rather get more intimate where everyone can see?” I step forward until our bodies nearly brush. “Fine by me.”

Her breath hitches at our proximity. She glances from left to right, most likely noticing the attention we’re gathering. “What are you doing?”

“Setting the mood.”

Baby blues widen at me. “You’re making a scene.”

“Then put an end to it,” I urge.

Her unblinking gaze narrows into a glare. “You’re doing this on purpose.”

I shrug. “Let them talk.” Maybe the rumor mill will be somewhat useful tonight after all.

“Nope, you’re not using me as a pawn.” Paisley shoos me toward the door. “Buh-bye.”

I loop an arm around her waist, tugging until she’s flush against me. “I’m not leaving without you, Twinkles.”

Her palms flatten on my chest, ready to shove me away. The slight curl in her fingertips is the only sign of hesitation. Our eyes lock and hold. One breath extends into two. Her body presses closer to mine with every ragged exhale. The buzz around us goes quiet. I search her gaze while she gets lost in mine. My heartbeat quickens under her touch. Warmth spreads between us.

The urge to pull her even tighter against me flexes my arm. Paisley blinks, casting her gaze around the crowded room. Red blooms on her cheeks and she breaks free from my hold. I release her but my eyes remain glued on her fiery blush. There’s no hiding her reaction to me.

“You’re playing dirty,” she mutters.

“Whatever makes you mine.”

“Never gonna happen.”

“No?” In a fluid motion, I remove my cowboy hat and put it on her head. A collective gasp ripples across the bar. I smirk as the gossips prepare to do their thing. “The town will say otherwise.”

Paisley is quick to rip off my claim, clenching the straw brim in an unforgiving grip. “I can’t believe you just did that.”

“Ready to fake date me yet?”

Fury blazes in the blue depths she pins on me. “Not even close.”

I return her stare and weigh the options. There are only so many that will confirm what I’ve started without pushing too far. It’s about authentic presentation, which is somewhat of a specialty.

“Fuck it,” I rasp and haul her against me.

Paisley inhales sharply just as I seal my lips over hers. Silence rings in my ears while our very public display is witnessed around the room. That allows me to hear her soft whimper. The quiet sound sets off a chain reaction.

Lust crashes into me, flooding straight to my dick. Paisley stiffens at the hardening evidence of my arousal but almost immediately relaxes again. That encourages me to glide my tongue along hers, obliterating the boundaries of what’s meant to be a chaste kiss. She fits herself to me like a missing piece. A sense of completeness accompanies an unfamiliar craving. The comfort gives me pause until her teeth gently clamp onto my bottom lip. That slight motion spins me out of control. Lines blur in my mind to defeat the purpose.

It’s suddenly unclear who I’m trying to convince. That’s why I’m the one to pull away, which is more difficult than I want to admit. The cloudy haze in Paisley’s eyes doesn’t notice. Her heavy lids blink slowly, tempting me to steal another taste. Somehow I manage to resist. At least until she lifts onto the balls of her feet to reclaim my mouth.

I smile into the kiss. “You’re mine now, Twinkles.”

My gaze wanders to the colorful bouquet on the counter again. The arrangement is innocent but represents the entire inventory of Sassy Stems that was delivered to my apartment this morning. And here I thought a trip to my favorite boutique would be a worthwhile distraction.

Memories from last night float to the surface. Brody’s lips against mine felt like an explosion of fireworks. That crackle sizzled in my veins and burned me from the inside out. After the initial sparks faded, a wave of relief filled me. It was intoxicating but detrimental. I’d been lulled under a false sense of satisfaction.

That moment of weakness was a major hit to my pride. As if that wasn’t bad enough, I practically begged for a second kiss. The only thing salvaging my confidence is the reminder that he was turned on. There was no mistaking the solid bulge nudging into me. He couldn’t fake his body’s reaction.

That doesn’t change the original purpose, or the harsh truth. Brody is trying to use me and I’d let myself forget. My guard slipped down as his mouth caressed mine. Damn, it felt good to be taken by surprise.

But the pleasure was fleeting. Now I’m stewing in shame. Indefinitely.

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