Page 48 of Tennessee Trouble

“We can be at my place in ten minutes.”

That’s my girl…

“Drive fast.”

14

LINDEE

We make it in eight.

It would have been five, if the stupid light at the bottom of the mountain had behaved. Normally I don’t mind catching that light. It gives me a chance to breathe and watch the water move through the jagged S curve in the creek before it makes its way into the deeper ravine as it moves through town.

Not today though.

My nerves are about as craggy as the rocks in that S curve. The angel sitting on one shoulder tries to talk me out of this, but her gentle nudges about using my better judgment aren’t powerful enough to overcome the whispers of the devil on my other shoulder, telling me to give in to exactly what my body is screaming for.

Which is Brandt fucking Rawlins.

Slipping the truck into park, it occurs to me that I don’t know his middle name. Not that I need to know his middle name in order to sleep with him. The bringer of earth-shattering orgasms does not owe me that information. It’s not like I’m going to be triple naming him as he’s delivering said earth-shattering orgasms.

But still. I want to know it.

Because I want to know him.

A thought that scares me more than a little.

My Jeep door opens, startling me. I turn, finding Brandt magically next to me, unclicking my seatbelt. How did he get there? Oh, goodness, he’s a vampire, isn’t he? Superspeed, off-the-charts sex appeal, and a pair of eyes that see right through me—that has to be it. He’s otherworldly.

Stop it, Lindee…

“Hi,” I squeak, the single syllable almost drowned out by the click of my seatbelt.

“Hi there.”

Brandt’s brown eyes sparkle, making my insides feel fuzzy. Like TV static. I really can’t be sure that he’s not a vampire. Although, he’s never tried to bite me, so…that’s a point in the against column.

Leaning in, he steals a kiss, arm slipping under my body and lifting me from the Jeep. Instantly, I ease, the comfort of his kiss smoothing out some of the sharp corners from my nerves. Being held by Brandt might just be my new favorite thing. I’ve never felt as light and safe and relaxed as I do when his arms are around me.

Not to mention his kiss.

He moves easily, kicking the Jeep door shut, moving toward my cottage as if he knows exactly where he’s going. Like he’s been here a million times before. Or better yet, like he’s coming home.

Ascending the steps, he stops in front of the door, shifting me in his hold.

“Door’s locked.”

Oh, shit. Yes, yes it is.

“Keys are…” I trail off. Where are my keys?

Brandt gently sets me down, and instantly, I miss his touch. He’s still mere inches from me, but it’s not enough. I need him to hold me again.

I hear the jangle before I see them, Brandt’s hand moving in slow motion to hold up my key ring. The cherry charm on the ring catches the light, making it look shiny and new, rather than the oldest thing on there.

“It’s the purple one,” I tell him, anticipation flooding my veins. Brandt is going to see the inside of my house. The first boy to do so.

Well, not counting my dad, Rylan, and Rodrigo. But they’re different. They were over here to help me move in, hang pictures, and fix the leak under the sink. They weren’t here for purely indulgent purposes.