Page 72 of Buckled in Barbwire

Before I can question him, he cups the back of my neck and hauls me in. Our foreheads bump as green collides with blue. There’s so much swirling in Brody’s stare. He’s open to me again, if just for a moment. I watch the conflict spread until he looks pained.

“Let me kiss you.” It’s not a request, but he wants permission.

My exhale hitches and he breathes me in, waiting. “That isn’t the explanation I expected.”

“It’s a need.” His hold tightens on my nape. “Something to soften the blow. Real feelings are forming. I want to prove it.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

“Okay?”

My nose nudges his when I nod. “Kiss me like you mean it, husband.”

Brody’s mouth slams onto mine. The brutal intensity shocks me. He takes advantage of my gasp, our tongues meeting in a sensual glide. Heat blasts through me and I mewl at the feverish rush.

The kiss is passionate and raw—an explosion of need. The tension that’s been brewing for weeks detonates. Teeth clamp onto lips while desire bursts between us. A thrum streaks under my skin in a static ripple. I whimper and he swallows the sound on a groan. The grip on the back of my neck clenches, making me feel controlled. That sensation is a hot streak of arousal pumping into me.

Brody lifts his other palm to cradle my face. The tender touch has me surrendering completely. Within the lust, I realize that we’re too far apart. He must sense the distance too. Leather creaks as we shift for a deeper connection.There’s so much left unsaid but we understand each other in this moment.

His taste is addictive, much like the man in general. I sip on peppermint while inhaling woodsy spice. He’s everywhere but it’s not enough. My fingers fist at the front of his shirt, yanking to demand more. His fingers tunnel into my hair, pulling gently. That slight sting expands into a burning ache. I squirm to get closer, chasing the warmth.

Brody seems just as demanding. Hands drift and rove to map as much of me as possible. It’s electrifying. I’m dizzy. Consumed. Lost. He’s pouring so much into this embrace. I can feel his hunger stroking mine. It’s enough to make me forget where we are. The need builds and grows until I’m ready to climb onto his lap.

That urge must slap him and he jolts. Brody pauses his assault before breaking the kiss entirely. The separation is slow, like pulling apart molasses. It feels like he’s forcing himself to stop. A bitter chill fills the space he shoves between us.

His thumb traces over the swell on my bottom lip. “That was more than I deserve.”

I shiver as the lingering warmth fades. Confusion muddles with desire while I struggle to compose myself. “What’s happening?”

Brody nods at the windshield. “My sister is about to raise hell.”

And then he lets me go.

My heart hurts when his gaze ices over. The need to know what’s wrong traps me in suspense. It’s tempting to stay and pry, the words perched for flight. But there’s someone else I need to see right now.

When I turn to look, Bianca is leaving the barn and walking in our direction. A different type of nervous energy floods me. The long-distance silence leaves me guessing how she’ll react. Only one way to find out.

I open my door and a blast of cool air hits my flushed cheeks. The chill is barely noticeable as I focus on my best friend since elementary school. Her stride is a fast clip that syncs with the pounding in my chest. Uncertainty weighs me down, which sucks. It’s never been like this between us.

But then Bianca begins jogging, a smile lighting up her face. Relief whooshes out of me and I hurry to cover the distance to meet her. We crash against each other in a hug that’s painfully overdue.

“Holy shit,” she breathes. “You’re alive.”

I pull away and laugh at her bewildered expression. “Did you assume otherwise?”

“Um, yeah. Brody hauled you off into the woods for a reward retreat while the entire town—” Her gaze swings to my hand clutching her upper arm. “No way. Tell me it isn’t true.”

“Which part?”

Bianca grips my fingers, gawking at my new jewelry. “You married my brother?”

It’s my turn to stare blankly. “You didn’t know?”

Her gaze bounces from my ring to my face. “Last I heard, he was bugging you to fake date him.”

“Oh, no.” My stomach sinks.

“The locals were quick to update me when I went to the bar last night. Figured it was a horrific rumor.” She shudders. “How did this happen?”

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