His hold on me is possessive, his grip leaving no doubt that I belong to him in this moment—body, mind, soul. It's wild, and it's reckless, and it's something I didn't even know existed. If this is what it’s like to kiss a cowboy, I’m never going back.
Being consumed like this by Tristan Stetson, by this strong, powerful and dangerous man, is a revelation. Every touch, every inhale of his exhilarating scent, every heartbeat tells me this—all the games, all the tension, all the fiery exchanges were leading here, to this collision of overwhelming need.
The moment shatters into pieces when he breaks away. And I’m left gasping, ripped away from where I want to be. He slowly backs away from me, brushing his thumb over his lower lip—breaking our connection, leaving every inch of me aching, my heart racing.
"You want honesty?" His voice is raw, exposed. "There it is, sweetheart."
And just like that, he leaves. He’s gone. Poof.
And I’m standing here, breathless, like some rug's been snatched out from under me. I thought I was the one pulling the strings tonight—thought I was winning this game.
But I never stood a chance.
My back hits the wall, legs unsteady, chest heaving like I’ve just run a damn marathon. I can still feel him—his hands in my hair, the heat of his mouth, the way he looked at me like I was all he needed to survive.
I didn’t just lose the upper hand. I lost control.
And the worst part? I liked it.
Whatever we’ve been doing, this game of desire and denial—it's been unlocked. And now, with the taste of him still on my lips and the heat of his words living in my mind, I understand the danger and exactly why he fought so hard not to go there. But there's no turning back after that.
twenty-one
Trouble
This is all a man needs right here. But damn if that voice in my head don’t sound like a lie.
“Glad you showed,” I say as Winnie steps up beside me.
"You know I can never miss out on your mama's barbeque," she says with a small smile, the kind that says nothing’s changed. That maybe nothing ever will.
Her hand slips onto my arm like it belongs there, like we’ve done this too many times. And for a second, I try to believe it.
That she’s enough.
That I could want her the way she wants me. Hell, she’sgoodfor me. She’s kind, safe. Not off-limits. The kind of girl a guy should choose.
But the second I see Knox, my stomach drops. Not because of him, but because I already know who’s walking in with him.
"Mama Stetson knows if she makes those ribs, we'll keep coming back," Knox calls out as he slides in next to Mama,plants a kiss on her cheek, then turns and claps a hand on my back.
"You’d be coming back no matter what," Mama says with a laugh.
“Can’t argue with that,” I mutter, but my words stall out as I shift—and see her.
Sawyer.
She’s right there. Her and Mama laugh like they’re old friends. Sunlight catches her skin, her hair loose around her shoulders, white tank top hugging her like summer heat. It hits me like a punch I didn’t see coming.
And the worst part?
She’s the one I can’t have.
But she’s the only one Iwant.
I should say something, but I don’t. I can't. Instead, it's Mama who sweeps in. "Oh, we got a newbie this year." She beams at Sawyer, all warmth and welcoming. "Sawyer, let me introduce you to Mama's barbeque."
Sawyer's eyes dart toward me for just a moment too long. In that gaze, there's a flicker of... what? Regret? Maybe she’s thinking about the mistake we made? How we crossed a line we shouldn’t have? It’s gone before I can figure it out.
