Page 11 of Out in the Country

“Why aren’t you dancing with Harper’s pretty friend?”

“I wanted to talk to you.”

Hayden rolls his eyes and crosses his arms over his chest. God, I love his chest. The first time I realized I was attracted to Hayden—and not just aware of him—was an eye-opening experience to say the least.

It took me time to process that revelation, but it didn’t scare me like I thought it would. I’ve known Hayden most of my life, and it felt like the progression was a natural one, albeit a slow one—a slow burn like in one of those romance books he reads.

My smile is back, and he’s a second away from developing an eye twitch. It’s adorable.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“You.”

I don’t give him time to respond. I toss back the rest of my whiskey and then step into him until I’m completely invading his space. There’s no hesitation as I cup his face in my hands and slant my mouth over his.

It’s perfect—better than I could have I dreamed—like an exotic vacation and coming home all wrapped into one.

The parting of his lips has less to do with desire and everything to do with being completely caught off guard.

But he’s not pushing me away.

Without thinking, I slide my tongue against his and caress his mouth like I hope to caress his body later.

His hand grips the lapel of my jacket while the other awkwardly holds his whiskey tumbler. Growling, Hayden pulls back, his eyes wild with emotion.

“What are you doing?” he demands, but I’m too distracted by the way his lips are swollen from mine.

“I thought I was kissing you,” I murmur, still intoxicated by the taste of him.

“Are you drunk?”

“No, I’m not drunk.”

He looks at his own glass accusingly. “Maybe I’m drunk.”

“No one is drunk.”

“You kissed me, Everett.” His eyes are a mixture of panic and pleading and the barest flash of lust as they meet mine. It’s not the reaction I was going for, and honestly, I knew this possibility existed. I was just naive to think he’d be so overcome with joy we’d run back to our hotel room and get naked.

“I did,” I confirm. “I’d like to do it again.”

He blinks—blinks again—and then narrows his eyes at me. Damn, he’s adorable.

I smile, and he growls again before grabbing my arm and pulling me into a slightly more private alcove.

“If you wanted to be alone, you could have just said so…” I trail off like he’s planning something nefarious and sexy rather than just plotting my murder.

“I swear if you don’t knock it off I’m going to blow a gasket.” He all but shouts and I can’t help myself.

“Well, you’ll certainly be blowing something…” I mumble under my breath.

“What the fuck did you just say?” he hisses, and I give him my most innocent smile.

“I was hoping,”—I take a slow step toward him and place a hand on his hip under his jacket—“you’d let me learn how you like your cock sucked.”

He inhales a sharp breath of surprise and takes a step back. It’s cute he thinks he can get away from me that easily.

Hayden’s back collides with the brick wall, and I shift so my thigh is firmly between his. His breathing is erratic now, his chest barely brushing against mine with each inhale.

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