Page 64 of Playing it Country

“I’m happy.”

“Are you though?”

I blow out a breath. “I’m happy now. I’m happy with you. I don’t know if I know how to do what Otto’s doing. He didn’t really throw himself into the whole lifestyle like I did even though he was labeled the playboy.”

“Snuck in under the radar, huh?” She chuckles and I smile.

“I guess. I wasn’t a dick or anything.”

“Not even with Mila?”

“No, not even her. She’s lookin’ for a husband and I’m somethin’ of a commodity. Women are vying for the title of the one who tamed Case Thayer.”

“You know that sounds ridiculous, right?”

“I wish I was lyin’.”

“Well by golly, what ever shall we do? I’m stealin’ Clementine Creek’s most eligible bachelor from all the poor women folk. Better make it worth it…” Her southern accent is atrocious but it pales in comparison to the way she slips under the sheet to settle between my legs.

“Your accent is terrible.”

“Good thing I don’t need an accent to do this…” Her lips wrap around the head of my cock, and I moan as I settle back against the pillows.

“Thank God for that.”

27

CASE

“Dude,” I say without preamble as I slide into the booth across from Sorren. His eye twitches as he stares at me, the burger in his hands suspended in the air in front of his mouth.

He might think I’m overreacting but this is no laughing matter.

“Listen.” I lean closer and lower my voice. Sorren doesn’t move. “Dude—I think I’m in trouble with Hannah.”Like falling in love kind of in trouble.“She’s like me but the female version and she’swild.I mean, I’ve been with my fair share of wild girls but I’ve never been seduced like this before. I’m way out of my league with her—am I losing my touch?” My voice rises slightly as I ask the question, but dammit, this is serious!

Sorren slowly lowers his lunch to his plate and then wipes his hands on his napkin before sitting back and staring at me.

“I need your help,” I hiss.

“What the fuck could you possibly need my help with?”

“Watch your mouth, young man, it’s only lunch time,” Joe says as she smacks Sorren on the arm.

“Sorry, Joe,” he says sincerely before lookin’ back at me. “He started it.”

I gasp and Joe rolls her eyes because this is us—always.

“Uh-huh.” She sets a water down in front of me and then takes off to the next table.

“Youknowthings. You said it yourself and now I need you to help me navigate this thing with her.” I say this like a desperate man and not the kind of man who posted a video of the guy sitting across from him less than an hour ago. It’s a great video of him lifting boxes with his biceps trying to escape his T-shirt. Otto texted me a few minutes ago to say the damn thing was already blowing up.

“Hannah?”

“What? Of course, Hannah.” Exasperation leaks into my tone.

“You like her; what’s the problem?”

“She’s leaving and I’m stuck in this weird cycle of being okay with it and feeling like my heart is being ripped from my chest.”

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