A shiver creeps up the base of my spine as arousal pools between my thighs. I’m frozen in place as blood rushes through my ears. The steady thump of my pulse is the only thing keeping me grounded. The blood flows into my cheeks, and I’m certain they’ve turned a shade of beetroot that could have been seen from the gates of both heaven and hell.
“You what, Annabeth?” His thumb brushes across the plump flesh of my lip, lingering for longer than it should.
“I, uh… I think I see my house,” I murmur.
“Well, we better make sure you get inside safely then.”
“Maybe we should.”
Dallas slowly backs away, not letting go of my hand, instead, using it as leverage to twirl me around until we’re face to face again.
“Thank you for your company, and for allowing me to walk you home, Annabeth.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, on the edge of my seat in anticipation, well, on the tiptoes of my boots, but you know what I mean. My eyes close, and I’m so sure it’s happening. My lips part slightly, allowing my tongue to peek through and wet them.
“Sweet dreams.” His voice is deep, and bolder than a tawny port at sunset. He leans forward, placing a soft, but affectionate kiss on my cheek. His rough skin sends ripples of primal desire through me. I’m literally going to climb this man like a tree. My brain, my heart, and my vagina have rendered me completely useless. They haveallbetrayed me in this moment. “I’ll see you soon.” Much like the other day at the farm, the way he says those four words sound more like a promise than parting words.
And once again, this damn cowboy has left me confused, and hornier than a room full of rams.
Eleven
Dallas
Not even two days have passed and I’m already being interrogated by my brother about the night of Ella’s birthday. Apparently, him staying out half the night was far less interesting than me leaving early, since it’s been the only topic of conversation for the past three hours.
“You… walked her home?” Colt asks, a puzzled expression still plastered on his face.
“Yes.”
“And you kissed her goodnight?”“For the last time, Colson, yes! We danced, we drank, we talked, I walked her home, and I kissed her goodnight, like a gentleman.”
“You’re so screwed,” he replies, his smile now beaming as he taunts me.
“I never said how, or where I kissed her. You’ve drawn that conclusion all by yourself, pretty boy.”
“Glad you think I’m pretty, one of us has to be. What do you mean ‘where’? What kinda shenanigans have you been up to, Dal?”
“Nunya.”
“Nunya? Seriously?”
“Yeah, nunya business. Look, I froze okay,” I snap, the last partcoming out harsher than intended.
“What do you mean, ‘froze’?”
“Everything was great. She was,is, great. I kissed her cheek and said goodnight.”
“Oh, Dallas,” he sighs, shaking his head.
“Yes. I know.”
“Look, bro. There’s no rule book for this shit. How are you supposed to know how to be with someone after everything? It’s been years, and you haven’t so much aslookedat another woman. I’m sure once you tell her about Sa—”
“I can’t tell her. Not yet.”
“What? Why?” His eyebrows crease.
“Drop it,” I tell him.
