Page 73 of Bad For Me (Rock Canyon, Idaho 5)

With her jeans around her knees, it left her open and vulnerable, something she would have hated with anyone else but Everett. But over the last few weeks, he’d changed something inside her, brought a warmth back into her life that she hadn’t been prepared

for. But it left her sure that Everett was a good man. He proved it with every gesture, in his laughter and eyes, in the way he held her hand and didn’t press her for more than she could give.

She knew, deep down, that she needed him, just as she’d needed Ratchet to get her through recovery. But she didn’t just need Everett; she wanted him, every part of him.

She trusted him, trusted that he cared about her and would never hurt her, would never betray her trust.

And she wanted to honor that in every way she could.

His mouth lowered, kissing each of her ribs over her shirt, even as he slipped one finger between her legs, circling her clit lightly. Her back bowed at the first shock, trembling with pent-up desire. When that finger pushed into her already wet center, she lifted her hips, biting her lip when the pressure on her ankle sent a zing of pain up her leg.

“Shh, don’t move.” His mouth was against her belly, and the heat of his breath felt amazing against the cool autumn air. “I’ll take care of everything.”

Before she could protest, he’d picked up her bound legs and pulled them over his head. Despite his instructions to hold still, she squirmed when he buried his mouth between her legs, pushing his tongue inside her.

God, she’d forgotten how amazing oral sex could be. As he pressed his tongue against her clit, licking the little nub until it almost hurt, her cries rose. His fingers spread her, giving him better access. He took her clit into his mouth and sucked her, just as his finger curled up within, rubbing that sweet spot just inside.

And suddenly she was weightless, lifting off the ground as an orgasm rushed over her. Callie buried her hands in her hair and stared up into the bright blue sky, sure any minute now she was going to float away.

After she came back to herself, she realized Everett was sliding her pants back into place instead of off. She watched him, his face pinched in concentration.

“What about you?”

He finished buttoning her pants and leaned over her, smiling. “Me? I’m hungry. How about you?”

BACK IN THE dirt parking lot a few hours later, Everett helped Callie into his truck, stealing a kiss just before he closed the door. The day had gone better than he’d imagined.

Okay, so maybe not better than he’d imagined, if the raging hard-on he’d been sporting most of the day was any indication, but it had still been great. After their picnic, they’d cuddled on the blanket, staring out over the water. All in all, they’d stayed out there longer than he’d expected, but Everett wouldn’t have changed a moment of it.

“Come on, Ratchet.” Everett loaded the big dog into the back of the truck. Ratchet had shown up the moment the picnic basket was opened, soaking wet and dripping river water on them as he shook off. They’d used the blanket to mop themselves off, and it had given Everett an excuse to pull Callie back against him and wrap her up in his arms again.

Everett jumped into the front seat and reached across for Callie’s hand. “Did you have fun?”

Her amber eyes burned brightly at him, and the soft smile on her face stole his breath. “It was a perfect day. Thank you.”

Everett kissed her fingers. “See? This is why you should always trust me.”

“So I’m learning.” Her words hung between them, heavy with meaning. He didn’t need her to say what she was thinking out loud; he could hear the gears in her mind turning.

Don’t disappoint me.

It was the last thing he wanted to do.

Chapter Seventeen

A WEEK LATER, Callie got out of her Jeep, cursing as she pushed the skirt of her new black dress down. She’d needed to be at Justin and Val’s wedding early to make sure the equipment worked fine, but thanks to her friends’ meddling, she was nearly twenty minutes later than she should have been.

Damn Gracie and Gemma. If she had just worn the simple black suit like she’d planned, she wouldn’t be messing with the hem of her dress, afraid she was going to flash everyone her good girl.

At least they had been able to work a miracle on her curls. With several bottles of hair-care products, Gracie had managed to first straighten and then arrange Callie’s hair in loose waves over her shoulders. Gemma had helped her perfect the smoky-eyed look she’d kept messing up because her hands were shaking so badly.

“Why are you so nervous?” Gemma had asked.

The truth was that Callie would be seeing Everett for the first time around other people and had no idea what to expect. Would he ask her to dance? Kiss her in public or hold her hand? Or would he be too busy with best-man duties?

Not that she wouldn’t be busy herself, but not so busy she’d be able to ignore Everett.

Callie walked into the old Silverton barn where they were having the wedding and reception and stopped in the doorway. Empty stalls along the edges of the huge barn framed wooden benches and the long white strip of cloth being used as an aisle. People were milling around, adding last-minute touches here and there, but Callie didn’t see Everett.

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