Page 72 of Feverburn

Uncertainty pulled at his features. “What about my terms?”

I kneeled next to him. “I’m all ears.”

His hand skimmed my hip and back before pulling me to settle on his lap. He brushed a curl off my breast while he gathered his thoughts. “If you’re mine, you’re mine. I want this to feel like a real, proper relationship. Not just shared voice memos and only seeing each other on Sunday afternoons. If we do this, I want it to be as normal as possible.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Yes.”

“How about dinner tomorrow? We’ll go a couple towns over, super discreet, I promise.”

I smiled, leaning in for akiss.“I like the sound of that.”

I felt out of control as his lips lowered to mine, loving how his hard chest pressed into my soft breasts. The way his beard tickled my face, erupting the faintest flush. And most importantly, how his hands never left my body,yearning, squeezing, searching for something.

He broke thekiss, whispering against my lips,“You’ve been so fun to be with today. You’re addictive. I missed talking to you.”

I nuzzled his nose, love drunk.“I feel the same way. All in?”

“All in.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

I took Rosie out for sushi and a drive-in movie. Cuddling her under the stars in the back of my truck with Kiszka was fun. The night after our date, she texted me for a booty call. I happily opened my garage for her, loving how she got out wearing only a sundress and a smile, no panties. We didn’t even make it to the bedroom. Instead, I fucked her right there on my dining table.

The rest of the week, I had flashbacks throughout my work day, recalling the most debaucherously hot nights with her in my cabin, all to myself. Even Kiszka knew after greeting her it wasbestto go to his room because I was about to make herscream.

One early afternoon, I was helping Eugenia, the owner of Stonebriar Inn.

“Carson!” she said in her shrill British accent. “Do you sell those spray mops I see commercials for?”

“No.”

She put her hand to her chest. “But why?”

“Because you shouldn’t be cleaning a historic inn with a maxi pad attached to a pole, that’s why,” I grumbled.

She cupped her hand behind her ear, “Pardon?”

Louder, I answered, “I recommend this one. It spins so you get a nice damp mop that won’t damage the old wood at Stonebriar.”

“I guess that will do. Will you be a dear and take it to the front while we go over paint samples?”

I nodded, letting her shuffle in front of me, droning on. People always asked for my opinion. I might be the town grump, but folks knew I had a knack for what looked good. Speaking of looking good, Rosie was upstairs, and I knew on some level she wanted attention. We had a way about us that she could send me a mental signal, and I’d sense it. On cue, my phone buzzed.

Roisin: Baby, I need you. Can you come up here?

Me: Give me five minutes, and I’ll be all yours.

Showing her impatience, she sent me a picture of her bodylyingon her bed. It was only from the waist down, in a short skirt, with her sexy legs crossed. I almost crushed my phone in half.

“What does this shade Dove look better in, gloss or matte?”Eugenia asked, holding up gray paint swatches.

“Um,”I swallowed hard,“matte. Do you want to see Fog? I’ve noticed the shade looks nice.”

I tried to immerse myself in the less dazzling conversation of neutrals and backsplashes. Who the fuck paints their kitchen gray? That’s not appetizing. Nothing says gather and eat like the color smog. Life should be full of warmth, especially a kitchen where you nourish yourself. I was over HGTV shows cursing the nation with stark houses.

After a few minutes, I saw the tell-tale sway of fiery tresses while Rosie sauntered behind Eugenia. The warm daylight drifted in the windows, illuminating her. Along with the miniskirt, she wore that T-shirt with the photo of me on it. Mybloodwas lava under my skin at the sight of her, a mix of disbelief anddesire. A fever she created in me often that I still wasn’t used to.

She grabbed an old-school glass bottle of Coke from our small refrigerator display and turned hercharmon Hank, asking him to open it for her. He could only fight to make eye contact while popping the lid off. With her nipples poking out against the white shirt, I couldn’t blame him.

---