Page 83 of Stormswept Colorado

“Will you walk me outside?” I asked. “I was hoping for a goodbye kiss.” I would ask for a kiss right now except for the people strewn around the lobby, watching us without any subtlety.

But the way Teller smiled at me was filled with such an intense mixture of affection and scorching heat, no one could fail to notice. Including Cheryl.

“You think I’d let you leave without one?” Teller rumbled as he helped me put on my coat.

We walked outside with Cheryl wedged next to me like she really thought I might bolt. Teller followed us with my bags. Thankfully, she and Paul had parked their rental—a Mercedes G-wagon—off to the far side of the lot, out of sight of the inn’s entrance.

And there was Paul, leaning against the driver’s side door in a Burberry coat, immersed in his phone. He flashed a cocky smile when he heard the crunch of our footsteps on the half-melted snow and gravel. “Ayla, there you are.” His grin shifted to suspicion. He must’ve noticed Teller behind me. “A police escort? That seems unnecessary.”

“I’m here in a personal capacity.” Teller put an emphasis on the wordpersonal.

Paul’s jaw flexed. His gaze shifted to me. “You kept us waiting, Ayla. We should get to the airport. They said they can move up your scheduled departure window.”

Teller’s heat warmed my back. “Why does this guy talk like he’s your boss?” he said in my ear. “Like he owns you.”

“Because he kind ofdoes.” I didn’t have time to explain the nuances of record contracts, or the fact that I had to play nice with my label until my renewal came up.

But Teller’s resting grump face was out in full force. Every bit the intimidating police chief even though he wore his rumpled clothes from last night. It was freezing out here, and he hadn’t bothered with an overcoat.

Teller strolled to the G-wagon’s trunk, opened it, and placedmy bags inside. Then he walked back to me, held my face in his hands, and kissed me.

There was no hesitation in this kiss. Anyone could’ve seen us, but Teller didn’t care, and neither did I. His tongue teased me with slow, deep strokes that left me shivering as I remembered his cock moving inside me just an hour ago.

A throat cleared. Paul muttered something. But Teller kept kissing me until I was dazed and breathless.

He pressed his lips to mine one last time and said, “Goodbye, Troublemaker.”

“Bye, Teller.”

He kissed my forehead. Let go and walked backward by several steps. My heart beat at a reckless pace, like it wanted to leap right back into his arms.

“Ayla,” Paul said sharply. “Let’s go.”

I stood still another moment. What choice did I have, really?

I had to get back to LA. Back to my regular life. No matter how much I loved my visits to Hart County, there was always an end.

Teller stood in the parking lot until we pulled onto the road. We turned a corner, and then I couldn’t see him anymore.

Paul was driving. “It’s good to have you back,” he said brightly.

I kept my mouth shut and watched the trees pass by in the window.

Cheryl sat in the backseat, typing on her phone. I received a text notification.

Cheryl

I know it’s difficult, but you have to put the police chief out of your mind. Don’t get any romantic ideas. Can you imagine if the media sniffs out that you had a tryst with the man? Especially with the whispers already swirling about how you almost got arrested by him? They wouldn’t leave him alone.

I paid Cheryl to tell me the rough, unvarnished truth, but right now? I kind of hated her for it. Which wasn’t fair. She hadn’t made the world the way it was.

My presence in Hart County made Teller’s life harder. I didn’t see any way around that.

Another text appeared on my phone.

Teller

I miss you already.

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