Page 130 of Sunrise & Serenity

Chance chokes on a laugh, but as I glance sideways at him and Tessa does the same, he sobers. “Careful, Ashland.”

“Or what?” she shoots back.

Jesus Christ. The last thing we need is them getting into a fight.

But the tension in the room has shifted. Not gone, just… loosened.

Gage mutters under his breath. I can’t make out the words, but I let go of his shirt with a hard shove.

“Go play pool,” I bark.

His mouth twists like he wants to keep going, but before he can jump back in, Allie whistles.

“That’s enough testosterone for one night, boys.” She points toward the pool tables. “Either drink your beer or get out of my bar.”

River raises his bottle. “Reasonable.”

Gage adjusts his shirt, sneering, then backs off. Levi follows, but Tessa lingers for another second, her gaze flicking between Sage and me. Then she eyes Chance, her chin lifted, and turns away.

“Well,” River says once they’re gone. “That felt healthy.”

Quinn laughs into his beer, and even Chance’s expression has lightened, but my pulse still hasn’t eased.

Adrenaline burns hot under my skin, tangled up with anger and something rougher—something possessive.

Sage runs a hand down my arm. “Hey.” A slight line forms between her brows. “Talk to me.”

I take her in. Pink cheeks, wide eyes, mint and lime still lingering on her breath. Suddenly, staying here another minute feels impossible. Angling closer, I bring my mouth to her ear. “If we don’t get out of here soon, I’m going to do something stupid. And I won’t care who’s here to see it.”

The way her throat moves when she swallows does nothing to ease the coiled energy crackling inside me.

Mine.

This time, the word sinks deeper.

I hold her gaze a beat too long before jerking my chin toward the door. She nods, eyes brightening.

Turning to River, I grip his shoulder. “I’m gonna take Sage home.”

His brows rise, a grin spreading across his face. “Sure, man. Go take care of her.”

That earns him a look, but his smile doesn’t drop as he brings his beer to his lips.

Without bothering to say goodbye to anyone else, I take Sage’s hand and lead her toward the door. The second we step out into the cool night air, away from the noise and heat and people, I rest my palm low on her back.

Like it belongs there.

CHAPTER 33

SAGE

The cab of Holden’s truck smells like him. Warm skin, soap, and the lingering scent of cedar that’s permanently worked into his clothes.

Outside, darkness stretches beyond the windshield, the headlights sweeping across the road. Inside, anticipation hums so thick I swear I can feel it against my skin. Holden drives with one hand tight on the wheel, the other resting low against his thigh, his fingers flexing every few minutes as if he’s trying to work off some of the tension.

For a while, we’re silent. He hasn’t turned on the radio. The only sound, apart from the rumble of the engine, is the throb of my pulse in my ears. It still hasn’t settled from the bar. Or from the way Holden looked standing in front of me, that rough edge to his voice.

The memory sends heat curling low in my belly.