“What’s happening?” I asked as I pushed through the crowded party to find Linc.
“Something just rustled in the woods.”
My phone pinged in my ear.
“I just sent you my location. Get here before a mutant mountain lion chews my face off.”
I glanced at the pin and sighed with relief. The abandoned Smith farm. I knew it well—I’d hooked up with more than a few girls at parties out there over the years.
I jogged to my bike, jamming the helmet onto my head and roaring out of the driveway. I weaved through the back roads before I hit the long, winding drive that led to the set of old barns. Partiers stared at my bike as I parked and pulled my helmet from my head. I glanced around, hanging it on the handlebars before swinging my leg over.
Where the fuck was she?I pulled out my phone and called her.
“Fucking seriously?” I muttered as the call went straight to voicemail again.
“Hey, man. Did you bring any weed?” a college boy with a backward visor asked as he stumbled up to me.
“Have you seen a woman named Merci? Dark hair. About this tall,” I asked, holding my hand in front of my chest. “Obsessed with armadillos?”
“No, all the chicks left a while ago. Just us guys.”
“Cool. Well, my friend is out here hiding somewhere. I’ll leave you to your sausage fest.”
I stalked toward the open field and wooded tree line. “Merci,” I bellowed.
“Marco,” she shouted.
“Goddamnit. I’m not playin’. Where are you?”
“Marco,” she sing-songed again.
I grumbled.This fucking woman.“Polo,” I said tersely.
Merci giggled nearby. I saw an open spot in the tall, swaying grass. I strode over and stood above her, glaring down as she splayed before me.
“What are you doing?” I asked, reaching for her hand to pull her up. “You’re probably covered in ticks.”
She hiccupped. “Do you want to check me for ticks?”
My fists balled at my sides. “I want to spank your ass so hard you won’t be able to walk right for a week.”
“Oh, kinky. I like it.”
“Let’s go home,” I growled, ignoring how the filthy images that filled my mind made my dick twitch.
“I don’t have a home anymore,” Merci whined. “I don’t want to go back to the clubhouse. Let’s stay. We can camp. I’ve always wanted to go camping.”
“We don’t have what we need to go camping. We’re leaving.”
Merci gazed up at me, pouting. Then a flash of mischief crossed her face. She turned and ran. “Can’t leave if you can’t catch me,” she quipped.
Irritation shot through me. With shorter legs and an unsteady gait, she wouldn’t make it far. I wasn’t concerned about her getting away, but I was worried she’d break a fucking ankle.
I jogged after her, barely making an effort, and tackled her, wrapping my body around her to break the fall. I grunted as our bodies hit the ground.
“We. Are. Leaving,” I huffed, punctuating each word.
Merci wiggled against my body and pouted. “I just want to have fun. I wasted the past two years with Mr. Stick Up His Ass, and I lost my entire youth becoming a doctor. Let’s just stay for another hour.”
