Page 18 of Out in the Country

“Not important.” He grins and I blush. “Let’s go back to the room.”

“What about Harper?”

“We’re meeting them for breakfast before they leave.” His hips roll against mine, and my eyelids fall shut. “Please, Ev.”

“And protection?” he asks, low and throaty. “You trust me to keep you safe?”

“Yes,” I stammer because while I hadn’t been thinking about it, I do trust Everett completely. “I got tested not long ago and you know I’m on PReP.”

“Me too.”

“Really?” I ask in a lust-filled haze.

Ev rolls his eyes. “Of course.” He gives my ass another squeeze. “I have plans for you.”

“Oh, well,” I say, suddenly thankful the shadow of the tree hides the way my face is flaming with his directness. “Let’s go.”

His smirk is cocky, and the air crackles around us as he holds out his hand. I know I had reservations, but I can’t remember any of them as I slip my palm against his.

9

HAYDEN

“Take off your clothes,” he growls. Our hotel room door is barely closed before he has me pressed against it. Everett wasted exactly zero time getting up to our hotel room after I asked, or more accurately begged him.

“You know, you’re really bossy for someone who’s never had another man’s dick in his mouth before.”

“Then why don’t you stop talking so we can remedy that?”

I blink and my mouth drops open in surprise.

“Are you always like this?” I pant. I’m not inexperienced by any means, and I’m not afraid of a little dirty talk either, but Everett has my body on high alert. It’s like the idea of this being new to him doesn’t even matter, like it’s not this big life-altering experience.

“Like what?”

“In control.”

“Why? Is that how you want me? You want me to get on my knees for you?”

“Jesus, Ev.”

He steps into me and traces his thumb over my bottom lip. “I’ll do it if that’s what you want.”

Lord have mercy, do I ever…

My fantasy is short-lived as jealousy claws its way into my psyche.

“Have you—” I can’t even force the words past my lips, but heknowsand it’s the only flash of uncertainty I’ve seen since being in this room. It’s gone in an instant, but I know what I saw.

“Are you askin’ if I’ve been with a man before, Hayden?”

“Yes,” I breathe, unsure I want to know the answer if he has.

“You think I would give myself to anyone other than you?” He presses a sweet kiss to my lips and then whispers, “I already love you, Hayden. Would it be so bad to let me fall for you?”

Be still my fucking heart.

My knees damn near give out, but he catches me like he always does.

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