Page 118 of Taken Away

His voice had dropped a rough octave.

Aubrey smiled, emboldened by the jump of muscle beneath her fingers.

“Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

She traced another inch of ink.

“Just a baseline assessment.”

The look he gave her should’ve required a permit.

“Careful, baby. I don’t have a blanket holding me back.”

Aubrey laughed.

The tension cracked.

“There he is.”

“There who is?”

“The vineyard troll.”

Bennett barked out a laugh.

“That’s what we’re calling me now?”

“My friends started it.”

“Your friends know about me?”

“Oh, they know everything.”

His dark brows shot up.

“Everything?”

Aubrey immediately regretted it.

Her mouth snapped shut.

Bennett sat up a little.

Entirely too interested.

A dangerous spark lit his eyes.

“Baby, we are definitely having that conversation. But right now, I’m a lot more interested in taking this blanket away from you.”

Before she could register the threat, his big hand grabbed the edge of the wool and yanked.

Aubrey shrieked.

Her hands flew out, snatching at the disappearing fabric as it went over the side of the cushions.

She scrambled to cover herself.