Page 25 of Depraved Truths

“Oh, fuck,” I groan as I let the euphoria wash over me. We’re both gasping for air, our bodies still fused. I’ve never come so hard in my life.

I press my lips against hers, just as a truck horn honks loudly.

“Oh, my god.” Her face is flushed crimson, and I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life.

I lean my forehead down against hers. “That must be Ed.” I yank my wet clothes back on. “Wait here. I’ll distract him while you get dressed.”

Chapter 19

What the hell did I just do?

This isn’t like me. I don’t act impulsively; I carefully plan everything. I’m cautious, meticulous to a fault. The last thing I need is to get involved with a local. I avoid attachments and steer clear of relationships. Whatever this is, I have to nip it in the bud before it goes any further.

But damn, he’s going to be hard to walk away from. He makes me feel things I shouldn’t feel, and don’t even get me started on what he just did to my body. Today’s events have left me buzzing with adrenaline, and my mind won’t settle down.

I grab my dripping clothes from the floor, hastily covering myself as I slip through the back door and race up the stairs to my bathroom.

After the quickest shower of my life, I brush through my tangled hair, throw on a pair of jeans and an old Jason Aldean concert t-shirt.

The faint hum of a drill can be heard as I descend the stairs to meet the guy changing my locks. Eli’s eyes—sharp andbright—connect with mine as I enter the foyer, and a slow blush creeps up my face. He’s talking to a short, stocky man, presumably Ed, who looks to be in his late forties or early fifties. He pretends not to notice our exchange.

“Tess, this is Ed. He’s the best locksmith around.”

Ed flashes a light, friendly smile my way. “I’m the only locksmith you’ll find in this area. But he’s right—I’m the best.”

“Thank you for coming so quickly.”

Eli coughs, trying to contain his laughter, and I nearly die, realizing the double entendre I accidentally uttered. Instant mortification fills me as I long for the floor to open up and swallow me whole.

“I was about to lock up and head home when Eli called. It’s impossible to refuse a Huntington,” Ed tells me, completely oblivious to our inside joke.

Eli looks a little embarrassed but quickly dismisses it. “I’m sure it’s got nothing to do with the amount of work I give you—or the six-pack of beer I promised.”

Ed chuckles. “You know I like a cold beer at the end of a long workday.”

Their easy comradery makes it clear they’ve known each other for ages. That’s how it is in small towns.

He finishes changing all my locks quickly, and I reach for my purse. “How much do I owe you?”

“Not a thing. We already have it worked out.” Ed smiles, glancing at Eli.

I shoot Eli a withering look. “I’m not letting you pay for me. This is my problem, not yours.”

“Calm down, Tess. It’s already taken care of.”

With a huff, I fold my arms across my chest.

“Hey, if you want to make it up to me, we can figure something out,” he says, his eyes gleaming.

I throw up my hands in exasperation. “We’ll deal with this later.”

Turning to Ed, I say, “Thank you so much,” and wave goodbye as he leaves. Eli walks outside with him and returns moments later with my new set of house keys and a small duffle bag.

“What the hell is that?”

“A bag. I keep a clean change of clothes in my truck, just in case. I always like to be prepared,” he responds.

“So, you like to be the knight in shining armor, coming to the rescue of the damsel in distress?” I raise an eyebrow at him. “Do you always fuck them too?”

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