I get out of the truck and round the hood before she can take more than a few steps. Her brows scrunch in surprise, but she purses her lips, giving me a gentle shake of her head.
“You don’t have to pretend to be my fake boyfriend out here,” she says. “We’re alone. No Mom or Stella to impress.”
“This isn’t me pretending to be your fake boyfriend, Hattie,” I reply, stepping in front of her. Her cheeks turn a soft shade of pink, but I’m not sure if it’s because of the cold, or something else. “It’s dangerous out here. Don’t know how many times the rangers have called in the rescue team over the last year because people were dumb enough to want to explore the lodge.”
Hattie cocks her head, lips twitching with a smile. “I’m not one of those people.” Her eyes darken, but she shakes her head. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m quite capable of taking care of myself. Even out here.”
“I know you can.” I take another step towards her. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t have your back.”
Her eyes flicker away from mine, back to the ruins of the old lodge. For a moment, she’s quiet, but I can’t take my eyes off her.
Can’t ignore the way my heart races with how close we are.
Every breath I take is laced with her perfume, sweet vanilla filling my lungs. It makes me want more of her.
When her eyes meet mine again, it feels like something within me is being dragged towards her. I’ve always felt a pull to Hattie Simms, but only now do I feel man enough to accept it.
Hattie sucks in a breath when I close the distance between us. Warmth radiates from her, the frigid air gone, replaced by her.
“Casper…” she whispers, her eyes widening.
“Yeah, shortcake?” I ask.
Her lashes flutter, eyes dancing between mine and my lips. “What are you doing?”
“Giving you a reason to stay.”
Before I can let logic—or her—stop me, I capture her flushed cheeks between my hands and close the gap between us. Everything within me stops at the first touch of our mouths before a fire is lit within me. Flames lick at the iciness in my chest that’s only started to thaw since she came home.
My girl leans into the kiss, letting out a soft sound that makes me feral for more.
I want to hear her whimper when I take her completely.
I want her to scream my name when she comes.
Hattie Simms has owned every part of me for a decade.
And now, I’m going to make her mine.
SIX
HATTIE
Idreamed of the day I felt Casper Sterling’s lips on mine. I wondered how they would feel, what he would taste like.
All those dreams are washed away by the reality.
His lips are firm as they move against mine, yet soft in a way that feels like Casper. His hands are hot against my cold cheeks, startling against the chill air we stand in.
My whole body has been lit by the kiss, and the longer he holds me, the more the fire is stoked.
Casper presses against me, the hard lines of his body moulding against the soft planes of mine. Somehow, we fit together like forgotten puzzle pieces, and that has my heart pounding for a different reason.
The sound of another vehicle has Casper pulling away from me. I gasp for breath, mind swimming from the kiss, from the way he still holds me. Something darkens in his eyes when he looks towards the new truck.
It gives me a chance to breathe. To let my mind come to terms with what just happened.
Casper Sterling kissed me. And I liked it.
