AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You look so pretty, Miss Rayna.” Harper giggled.
“I think you’re lookin’ in the mirror, sweetie, because I can’t hold a shine to you,” I replied as John set her down on her feet.
“You girls go get somethin’ to drink.” He nodded to the table and dropped his voice while they were off. “She’s right, though. You do look nice. Is there a boy around you’re planning to go do-si-do with?”
“Nope,” I replied, slanting him an eye. “I’m not much of a dancer.”
“Oh, I see,” he teased. “You’re planning on knockin’ boots instead.”
I gave him the most innocent look I could conjure. “What on earth do you mean?”
“You’ll see what I mean later tonight,” he said, gaze smoldering. “Don’t go to bed early.”
With that tantalizing whisper, he went to join his girls, and while they enjoyed the night, I kept an eye on them. Less than an hour in, the phone in my pocket vibrated. I plucked it out discreetly while smiling at John and Samantha line-dancing to a Dolly Parton song.
The text was anonymous.
Watch your back.
My blood frosted to ice in my veins.
I didn’t know exactly who it had come from, but it didn’t take a massive stretch of the imagination to suspect the sender. The biggest mystery was, how did West know my phone number? Swiftly, I screenshotted it just in case, then shoved the phone back into my pocket. I pretended nothing had happened.
This night was about happiness and a getaway from all the trouble that had begun to be nightmarish. I shook the uneasiness off and decided to join the party, putting up fake resistance when John pulled me into the newest line dance. It was pretty risky, but I decided to take it. There was no judgment, no perfect steps, just a community of friends, music, and laughter.
* * *
When I stepped out of the gymnasium to get some fresh air a few hours later and under the bleachers, I breathed in the cold air with relish and relief. Gazing up at the cloudless sky, filled with stars, I wrapped my arms around my middle.
I’d come to this town to have a new start, and the one night I’d shared with the handsome stranger had been the icing on the cupcake. I’d not expected to find companionship, a bedmate, or love…but fate had tipped me right into that pool.
I had never expected John Maxwell.
“Star gazing, sweetheart?”
I looked over my shoulder. “Something like that, yes.”
“What’s on your mind?” He came closer.
Turning my gaze back to the stars, I said, “That I’d never expected to meet you again, much less slowly but surely fall in love with you…” I didn’t need to hear his swift breath intake or see his mouth drop. “…and while I know this friends-with-benefits thing was only that, some additional fun while I helped Samantha, that ship sailed.
“I know you were not looking for anything serious or more than what it was, but—” I gave a soft shrug and a wry smile. “—blame it on my silly heart. I don’t expect you to return myoh—”
John's hand fixed around my arm, and he pulled me into his arms before dropping his mouth to mine with a groan. Scorching hot fire blazed through my body the moment our lips connected. I loved feeling the rasp of the five o’clock shadow against my cheek, and roughness of his fingers, the heat from his skin, and the spicy scent of his cologne. Each sensation made my already sensitive nerves raw, making his kiss much sweeter.
He maneuvered me to a wall and held me there, his mouth moving over mine so expertly. My hands slid up his arms to hold onto his shoulders while his groin pressed into my belly—he was hard.
Heat rushed between my legs at the thought of his rough, strong hands on my bare skin, his lips sucking marks in secret places, his fingers teasing me, taunting me. I was fucking helpless.
“I missed you,” he growled, inching into the vee of my jean-clad legs.
My head felt full of air. “I missed you too.”
John’s laugh was deep and husky. “That’s not what I meant, but—” his hand slipped between my legs and cupped my pussy. “—let’s go with that.”
The heel of his hand pressed on my clit, and he pushed hard, making pleasure zing up my spine. “You’ve got no idea how much I want to fuck you,” his tone was dark and liquid desire. “I’d bet if I slid my hand into your panties right now, I’d find your delicious pussy soaking wet for me.”
“Keep doing that,” I gasped. “And I’d be Niagara Falls.”
