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“I’ll drive you.”
“You don’t have to.”
“You live next door. Even if you didn’t, there’s no way in hell I’d let you walk home.”
“That’s not—”
“If I have to carry you to my truck myself, I will.” My voice comes out rougher than I intended.
Judging by the way Wynter stiffens, it surprises her, too. She inhales a sharp breath, her gaze darkening with something I can’t quite label. Heat, maybe? Or maybe I just want her to look at me that way.
“Are you going to come willingly, or do I have to throw you over my shoulder?”
A part of me really wants her to fight me on this just so I can feel her body in my arms.
But I don’t get my wish.
“Fine,” she huffs. “I’ll let you drive me home.”
“Good.” I reach for my wallet to pay for my barely touched beer.
“Although the idea of you carrying me out is kind of nice, too.”
My hand freezes, desire rushing through me and heading south. She definitely doesn’t realize what she’s done to me.
Or maybe she does.
Either way, she’s had a lot to drink tonight. She doesn’t actually mean it. And she most likely won’t remember any of this in the morning.
“Come on.” I place a few bills on the counter, enough for her tab, too, and drape my coat over her shoulders, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Let’s get you to bed.”
“Okay,” she murmurs, falling against me.
As I help her out of the bar, I don’t let myself think about how perfect she feels tucked against my side. Or how soft her hair is. Or how amazing she smells.
All I try to think about is getting her home safely.
But when she nuzzles into me, her warmth seeps straight through me and into my skin.
Suddenly, every thought in my head about my best friend’s older sister is anything but innocent.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
WYNTER
Joshua cuts the engine after pulling into his driveway, but neither of us moves for a long moment.
Christmas lights glow from the houses around us, tiny dots of red, green, and white reflecting off the windshield. A dog barks somewhere in the distance, but otherwise the world is quiet.
I slowly shift my gaze to the house next door.
Home.
Or at least the place that used to be home.
It doesn’t feel that way anymore. Especially now. Especially after learning where my father’s loyalties lie.
“Everything okay?” Joshua asks.
