Page 51 of Eyes Like a Hurricane

I tilt my head upward to meet his eyes, and he smiles into my forehead. “I think everyone needs to clear out now,” he whispers.

“Soon,” I say. “But for now, this feels just right.”

We dance until the last note rings into the night air. Everyone claps as Ingrid stands and gives a small bow.

She comes running over. “Oh, you guys, that was amazing.” A tear tracks down her cheek. “Thank you.” She wraps us in a joint hug.

“No, thank you, Ingrid, for sharing your magic with us. Have you ever thought about playing with the band down at Glaciers? You and Sylvie could shred it up there on stage.” I ask.

She shakes her head as her cheeks stain pink. “I’m not sure I’m ready for that yet. For now, I will just play for family and friends.”

I nod in understanding. It’s a lot to get up on stage in front of people and put yourself out there like that.

Lachlan and I stroll toward the firepit, where people are roasting marshmallows. He sits down and pulls me into his lap. I can feel his hard length pressed against my thigh as I sit sideways.

“How much longer do these usually last?” I ask quietly.

“Another thirty minutes, probably,” he says with a strained edge to his voice.

I smirk as I lay my head against his shoulder.

“Your family is unbelievably sweet. I really enjoyed talking to them tonight. I think your parents liked me. It doesn’t seem like Ingrid will become my new running partner, though,” I snort.

He laughs, “She was never much of a runner. Horseback riding, yes. Running, not so much.”

As the embers die down, everyone begins to say their goodbyes.

Leo approaches me with his hand outstretched. “Keys.”

I reach into my purse and reply, “Here they are. Did you need something out of the car?”

He grins and hitches one sculpted brow. “Honey, I’m going to lay it all out for you. We need your keys so that we can get back to your place and grab our car to go home. You will stay here and get to know this tall, handsome cowboy a bit better and maybe save a horse in the process. Doesn't that make logical sense?”

I press my lips together, refusing to laugh, but it doesn’t help when I feel Lachlan’s chest shaking against my shoulder in silent laughter. His mouth is pressed into my hair as he looks over the top of my head at Leo.

He leans back just enough to speak. “It’s crystal clear to me. I hope she thinks my tractor’s sexy.” He nods to the keys, “Take the keys. I'll be sure to explain it to her better once we get inside.”

I have no doubt he just winked. Leo’s grin turns sly. He snatches the keys and turns to stride away.

“I approve of that man. In case you were wondering, Aislinn,” he says over his shoulder. But before I can respond, he is already walking across the lawn, disappearing into the pitch black night.

I turn to Lachlan and ask, “Ready to do some explaining?”

He stands with me in his arms and walks toward the back door. The dogs fly in behind us, just in time for Lachlan to kick the door shut. He toes off his boots in the mudroom as I kick mine into the darkness. I have no idea where they land.

I giggle as he picks up the pace down the hall. When we get to the bedroom door, I reach my hand down to open it, andwe slide through the opening. He turns us, and my feet connect with the door, shutting it with a resounding thud. No dogs are allowed in here tonight.

Lachlan sets me down on the floor next to the bed. In silence, we slowly begin to remove each other's clothes. I deftly undo the buttons of his shirt as his fingers find the hem of mine. I lift my hands over my head as he shrugs out of his collared shirt.

I can’t think of a time in my life I have wanted a kiss as badly as I do at this moment.

His lips find mine in the dark, and I slant my head to kiss him deeper. I run my fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck as his hands climb up the sides of my back. He finds the clasp of my bra and frees my breasts. His kisses trail down my neck, and I moan as his lips connect with my sensitive nipple. I reach to undo his belt buckle and button, but as I reach for the zipper of his pants, his mouth pops off me.

With a ragged breath, he asks, “Can I taste you?”

The timbre of his strained voice has me panting inside. I nod into the darkness and hum my approval.

He sucks in a shaking breath, his forehead resting against my shoulder, before murmuring against my skin, “You looked so beautiful tonight, Aislinn. I need you more than I care to admit.”

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