And I hate that I'm annoyed about it.
I hate that I'm second-guessing whether I should go home to the Circle H and collapse into my own bed or drive the extra twenty minutes to Blackthorn and crawl into his.
I grip the steering wheel as I turn onto the drive up to my ranch. I shouldn't have to guess. I shouldn't have to wonder if he wants me there.
But Jake doesn't operate like normal men. He doesn't ask. He decides. He claims.
I have to be honest—I love that. Something is yummy about a man who takes charge.
But tonight? Tonight I'm tired and skittish and horny, not to mention irritated. Does he just expect me to show up without actually saying the words?
The headlights cut through the trees, and I catch a reflection off the windows. The house sits dark and silent against the Montana sky, with no lights on and no sign of life.
Jake's truck isn't in the driveway.
I don't know why that bothers me. He's probably at Blackthorn with Mason and Luke. They’re probably all sitting around, having beers, and playing with themselves.
If I wasn’t so annoyed, I’d linger at that image a little.
Hell—maybe I’ll linger on it later when I’m in bed.Alone.
I kill the engine and sit there for a moment, staring at the dark house. I could text him. Ask if he wants me to come over.
But that feels needy. Desperate.
I'm not desperate.
I'm just… uncertain.
I grab my purse and climb out of the truck, the cool night air hitting my flushed cheeks. I walk up to the front door, trying to find my keys. Why is it so dark? I frown at the porch light as I unlock the door. It should be on.
Inside, the house is dark and quiet. I flip on the living room lights, toss my purse on the couch, and pull off my boots. Then I pad barefoot into the kitchen. I’m going to have one more sip of whiskey before going to bed.
My dad always kept his favorite whiskey and a glass on a tray on the counter. I used to tease him about only having one glass—antisocial much? But he’d grunt and say, “Whiskey’s better alone. Doesn’t ask questions and never lies to you.”
I pour a splash into the glass and raise it to my lips. “I have to disagree,” I mutter, looking into the amber liquid. This would be a hundred times better with Jake—especially licking it off his abs.
And now I’m horny all over again. I huff a breath and toss back the rest, wincing at the bite as it goes down. Returning the glass to its spot, I head to my room.
44
JAKE
She’s coming.
45
EMMA
Iclimb the stairs slowly, my hand trailing along the banister, wanting Jake’s mouth between my legs tonight. By the time I reach my bedroom door, I'm annoyed all over again because I’ll only have my hand.
But really? I want more than his mouth. I want all of him, all around me, all night. I had a taste of that, and now I know what I’m missing.
I push the door open and step inside my bedroom.
Pitch black. I pause, frowning into my room. I swear I left the bedside lamp on.
Before I can reach for the light switch, a hand clamps over my mouth, and the door slams shut behind me.
