Page 20 of Sexy Summer Flings (Bear Mountain Rescue 2)

“Yes, erhm, Penny seems to be doing much better, so I think we can get those discharge papers ready.”

Hunter stood up from the bed and Penny’s eyes widened the closer he got to the exit. He was actually going to leave. He had the nerve to just desert her after that epic kiss.

“Hunter Gracin, if you walk out that door, I will poison your next glass of whiskey!”

He shut the door with a click behind him and Penny slumped back on the bed.

Well, that didn’t work.

“I guess I should go get your discharge papers then,” Winter said awkwardly.

Penny wasn’t quite ready to forgive her for interrupting whatever the hell that was. “Why not,” she said in a flat voice.

As Winter left the room, Penny ran her fingers over her lips, trying hard not to smile. Despite his cowardly exit, Hunter had kissed her. He had made the move, and all because he’d been concerned about her. He’d realized he could lose her.

“You really don’t have to carry me inside my house, you know.”

Trent smiled down at Penny, who was nestled in his arms. He walked through her front door. “I figured I owed you after nearly getting you killed.”

“Oh please, if I hadn’t wanted to dance on that bar, no force in the ’verse could stop me from getting down.”

“The ’verse, huh?”

“Firefly. Epic television show. You should watch it.”

“I’ll put it in my Netflix queue.” Trent stopped in the living room, looking around at the homey, worn furniture and pictures covering the walls. “Where to?”

“My bedroom is the last door at the end of the hall, but I can walk. I swear.”

Trent ignored her, enjoying the warmth of her body against his chest. Once he laid her on the bed, he checked out the trophies on the dresser and read them aloud. “Spelling Bee Champion, third grade. Nice.” He came over to sit next to her on the bed. “Have I ever told you I dig smart girls?”

“No, but I’m sure you’ve told some girl that.”

Trent winced. “Okay, I guess I deserved that.”

She must have realized it bothered him because she grabbed his hand. “Hey, I was kidding. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. You’re right. I’ve been a bit of a man whore.”

“I didn’t call you that.”

“I know, I called myself one.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Can I get you anything before I leave?”

She shook her head slowly, her blue eyes watching him too keenly. He didn’t want her to see too much, not until he’d sorted through his feelings himself.

“Rest up, kitten. Call me if you need anything.”

She squeezed his hand with a small smile. “Thanks for taking care of me, Trent.”

“Anytime.”

He stood up and left the little house, locking the front door behind him. He knew that something had happened after he’d left Hunter and Penny alone. Regardless of whatever it was, Hunter hadn’t come back to see Penny home and Penny hadn’t told Trent to go to hell. Instead, she’d sat in the front of his Explorer pensively, as if she was trying to sort out a puzzle.

And for the first time in a while, Trent had found himself jealous.

He’d taken Penny out, thinking she was like every other girl he’d ever been with. But it was the way he reacted to her that made her different.

He liked her. But he wasn’t sure where she stood with Gracin.

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