Page 73 of Tennessee Trouble

Oh, shots fired. Two can play this game.

I take a half step, closing the rest of the small distance left between us, leaving maybe an inch of space. Enough that we’re close, but still far enough to leave her wanting. Yearning.

“What if I tortured you for it?”

Lindee gasps, eyes lighting up playfully. She covers her mouth, mockingly shocked that I would even suggest such a thing.

“You wouldn’t…”

“Wouldn’t I?”

I don’t wait for a response.

I grab her sides, catching her off guard, and start to tickle her. Lindee squeals, partly out of surprise, and partly from my fingers dancing across her skin. Either way, it eggs me on. Makes the fire in my veins surge, my hard-on reacting in turn. Each new sound she makes is music to my ears.

Wiggling and giggling in my arms, Lindee rubs her body against mine. I don’t bother to suppress my desire, letting out a long groan. She fits so fucking perfectly into my arms—like she was built for this. Or maybe I was the one built for her.

Holding still long enough to rise up on her toes, Lindee presses her lips to mine, stealing a kiss. The move is quick, fiery, and catches me so off guard I lose track of what I’m doing. At least enough for her to gain the upper hand, placing mine on her hips and holding them there.

“Seriously, though…do you wanna know?”

I look down at her, my gaze catching hers. There is nothing teasing or joking reflecting back in those well-known hazel eyes now. It’s pure warmth and kindness. An invitation to bring me into her world even more.

Flexing my hands against her hips, I hold back from what I really want to do—kiss the fuck out of her. Instead, it’s time to return fire.

“Does a cow have spots?”

“Does a cow have spots?” Lindee snorts. “Okay, country boy.”

I shrug, taking the hit. I am a country boy, there’s no doubt about that. A good, rural, small-town guy from middle Georgia. And damn proud of it.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

Pursing her lips, Lindee puffs her chest out, pushing her breasts against me. I bite down on the inside of my lip, trying to hold back a very ungentlemanly noise. Not an easy feat when the most beautiful woman you’ve ever met is rubbing up against you.

“Then earn it…”

Challenge accepted…

I don’t wait. I don’t hesitate. I simply act.

Cupping her cheeks, I hold her still and capture her mouth in mine. I kiss her—hot, hard—giving it everything I have. There’s no holding back now.

The world stops. Time, space, air—all of it. Nothing else matters. Nothing else exists. Just us—her and me. The sweetness of her lips, the softness of her tongue, and the beauty of her coos. All the things that could fuel me for the rest of time.

Forget food and water. I don’t need those. All I need is Lindee Murray’s kiss.

Lindee grips onto my shirt, trying to tug me in closer. I let her, because I need her. Wholly. Completely. My fingers weave into her hair, the silky strands feeling like satin against my skin.

“Brandt…” Lindee whispers, pulling back only far enough to try and catch her breath.

She stays glued to me, her chest heaving against mine. Right where she belongs.

“Honestly,” I whisper back, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “As curious as I am about this secret ingredient, I won’t ask you to betray your family like that. It wouldn’t be fair to ask that of you. To put you in that position.”

Lindee’s eyes flutter shut, a barely audible sigh escaping as she rests her head on my chest. I can feel the muscles in her back ease as she snuggles in, and I tighten my embrace.

I mean it—I can’t ask that of her. I know some members of her family think that I’m some sort of spy or that I’m out to ruin her and their brand, but I’m not. I respect the fuck out of her and what she does. And I think she knows that. I sure hope she does.