Page 74 of Thaw My Heart

It’s good to know she’s hoping for that. I smirk at her in the worst way, wetting my lips from her stare. “You want me to kiss you?”

She frowns as pink brushes against her cheeks. “This is going to be the worst date I’ve ever had if you don’t kiss me.”

A deep laugh ruptures in my chest. “Really? The worst?”

She shrugs, but I can tell she’s playing it up. Trying to get under my skin in the way that Sadie does best. A question forms on the tip of my tongue, sending my mind in different directions. “So, you kissed, Blake?” If this is the worst date by her standards, she must have.

She pauses, reflecting. “You sound jealous.”

“I’m not.” I just don’t want to picture her kissing anyone that isn’t me. Fuck, I am jealous, and she knows it, too. “Fine. Maybe a little.”

She smiles, stepping closer. “No. I didn’t kiss him.”

I’ve never felt such relief in one word.

My eyes dart to her lips, and she wets them, placing her hand on my chest. As much as I’d love to devour her in one of my favorite spots in all of Montana, right now isn’t a good time. “Let’s get packed up. It’s getting dark.” The trail will be too dangerous if we stay much longer.

“Seriously?” she whines.

“Getting you home safely is my first priority, Tequila.”

“Of course, it is,” she grumbles.

After loading up the horses and turning on the tiny lanterns on each saddle, we take off towards home. The glow of the lanterns provides just enough light, reflecting an orangish glow on the ground as we weave through the pines. Thick snow falls from the sky, covering Smoke’s dark mane with soft snowflakes. Sadie sticks out her tongue, trying to catch them in her mouth.

Wolves howl in the distance, nearly causing her to fall off her horse.

“It’s okay. They’re not as close as you think,” I assure her.

She makes a noise of disbelief.

“They like to hunt during storms.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” she questions, but there’s some pepper in her tone.

I stifle a laugh. “I didn’t let you drown in the river, and I’m not going to let you get eaten by wolves. You can trust me, Sadie.”

She pauses, as if what I said resonated with her, before giving me a playful smile. “Trust you, Cowboy? Never,” she says in a mocking tone. But the soft smile that forms on her face tells me she might be starting to.

At least a little.

A snowstorm brews outside by the time we reach home. Sadie helps untack the horses in the barn. Then we move the horses into their stalls, tossing them some hay for the night.

Her hair and eyelashes are covered in snowflakes as she turns to me at her front door. “So… what now?” she asks, nervously biting her bottom lip.

My hand finds her jaw, catching her by surprise, brush­ing her smooth skin with my thumb. “Well, that’s one date. As promised.”

“Kit,” she groans.

The sound of my name on her lips makes me smile, but before I can think of a smart-ass reply, one hand finds her waist, pulling her to me, while the other cradles her neck, finally bringing her mouth to mine before she can think twice. Before I can second-guess myself about kissing her.

My lips collide against hers, softly, slowly. Taking my time before deepening the kiss. She tastes of whiskey and something sweet like candy. Her warm, soft lips perfectly meld with mine. I want to stay here, to kiss her frustrating and sensual mouth harder, but I need to see her reaction. My eyes eagerly meet hers, pulling back. The smile of approval she gives me sends my heart racing.

“That’s more like it,” she says before pulling me back in, standing on her toes as she wraps her arms around my neck, curving her small body into mine.

All I can feel is her tongue exploring my mouth as I push her against the door. Unable to stop my hands from running under her sweatshirt. Her skin is so warm, so smooth. I groan in her mouth, feeling myself hardening against her.

Fuck I want her, and it feels so good to finally give in to those feelings. To free myself from the torment of what it feels like to want her. I’ve never yearned for anyone in the way that I yearn for Sadie Lane.