Page 16 of Never Fear (Whiskey Ridge)
“Brynne,” Booker warned, indicating they’d already had this discussion and she wasn’t taking no for an answer.
“Well,youwon’t go unless Austin goes, and Austinwon’t go unless McKenna goes, so I’m asking her,” Brynne defended.
I eyed the stool beside Brynne. Of course, she’d left the one nearest to Austin open.
But that actually worked in my favor.
I crossed to the seat, sliding in so my outside knee brushed against the side of Austin’s jean-clad leg. I purposefully didn’t fix my skirt, the bottom having risen so high, my bare ass was on the leather. If he noticed, he didn’t show it.
Booker turned from the oven briefly to shoot Brynne his usual grumpy look. “That’s because McKenna is currently being threatened, Darlin’, and Austin’s too busy stalking her because of it.”
Austin quickly aimed afuck youglare at Booker.
“I’d love to,” I answered, knowing my response would piss them both off.
Brynne clapped her hands together once. “Perfect! So it’s settled. We’re going to the rodeo.”
Austin let out a frustrated sigh, and Booker grumbled something, but neither fought us on the matter.
As they should.
“Is that really the smartest idea?” Austin asked, crossing his arms.
But I ignored his gaze trained on me and said, “I have to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.”
I stood, my knee bumping into Austin’s leg a bit more as I did. I made a show of fixing my skirt right beside him before I left the kitchen and headed to the bathroom down the hall. After relieving myself, I washed my hands and opened the door. But rather than stepping out, I wasshoved back in, and the door clicked shut behind the man who did it.
“Ignoring me now, kitten?” Austin asked, backing me up toward the wall.
I shrugged. “Just not interested in speaking to you.”
My back hit the wall and he stopped directly in front of me, his eyes falling to my skirt. He brushed a hand along my upper thigh before grabbing the hem. He rubbed the material between his fingers, almost entranced by it. “Really?” His eyes moved to mine. “Because I was under the impression you were extremely interested in the freezer the other day.”
My heartbeat picked up its pace at the memory of him bending me over. “Nope.”
He gently moved the material of my skirt up, placing a warm palm on the side of my thigh. The tips of his fingers brushed the underside of my ass, and I nearly shivered. “Do I need to get another ice cube?”
My lips pursed together, my teeth biting into my tongue because I almost said,yes, and maybe shove one in my pussy while you’re at it, but I couldn’t say that because I was supposed to hate him, not want him to edge me.
He leaned closer, almost like he knew I wanted to beg for it. I could smell mint on his breath as our noses nearly brushed. This bathroom was entirely too big for him to be this close to me, and yet, I didn’t want him to back away. “I’ve seen you, McKenna, but I still don’t know what you taste like.”
My head tilted back slightly, almost like my mouth was reaching for him inadvertently. “That’s too bad I’m chewing gum, then. You can’t kiss me.”
He set a hand on the wall beside my neck. “You think a little gum will stop me?”
I maneuvered the gum around in my mouth until it was on the tip of my tongue, then I stuck it out, showing it to him for emphasis.
But this man didn’t back away. He didn’t even so much as glance at it, keeping his eyes on mine as he wrapped his lips around my tongue and sucked. The gum disappeared from my taste buds, and he sucked my tongue a little longer, a little harder, and I nearly fucking moaned. I placed my palms flat on the wall behind me because if I didn’t, I’d just pull him closer, and we definitely couldnotmake out.
He drew my tongue deeper into his mouth before sliding his lips off. His cheeks moved before he opened his mouth, presenting my gum now sitting on his tongue. Then he snapped his jaw closed and chewed.
“What about that gum?” he asked with a wink.
Holy fuck. That wasnotsupposed to be hot.
It was just fucking gum, and yet?—
He shoved off the wall, putting a foot of space between us. “See you at the table.”
