But as we sit around our table, laughing and flirting, I know the town gossip can’t get to us. Colter Creek will be fine, as long as we’re happy, I’m sure of it.
“…so, did you love growing up here, then?” I ask, slinging my arm around Dakota’s shoulder.
“Nah.” Clint chuckles. “She escaped the second she could. Isn’t that right, Dakota?”
A cute redness flames in her cheeks. “Took off faster than a bull out of the chute. But actually, I’m kinda glad to be back. Ialways thought Colter Creek was too small. But I didn’t like the massiveness of New York City. It didn’t suit me at all.”
Clint leans back in his chair with a smug grin. “Well, we’re glad you’re back.”
She shoots him a playful glare. “Yeah, sure you are.”
“Hey guys, haven’t seen you in here for a while.” I turn to see Tommy Jones smirking at us all. “I only ever see you guys in my feed store these days.”
“We gotta have fun sometime.”
Tommy cocks a knowing eyebrow. “Yeah, looks like you’re having a lot of fun.”
His tone isn’t judgmental. It’s playful, light. That’s the thing about this town. They just want us to be happy. I can feel it.
The locals might gossip, but it’s not out of malice. It’s more of a way for them to stay connected. Everyone here has a stake in each other’s lives.
Sawyer chimes in, finishing off his soda with a dramatic swig. “Right, so shall we take a drive?”
“A drive?” Dakota asks, her eyebrow arching in curiosity. “I thought this was it. Where are we going?”
He doesn’t answer, just winks at her, that charming grin of his tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“Seriously?” she says, leaning back in her seat. “You’re not going to tell me?”
He shrugs, that mischievous glint in his eyes. “You’ll see.”
The moment we slide into the truck again, I know things are about to shift. Sawyer starts the engine, the rumble of it vibrating through my chest.
Dakota’s sitting between Clint and me, her body close, just enough that I can feel the heat radiating off her, feel the rise and fall of her breath with every turn of the wheel.
I glance at her, and our eyes meet. That spark is there, hot and flickering. I see the way her lips curve, barely, but it’senough to set my pulse racing. I lean forward, my arm brushing hers, just to see if she notices.
And she does. The faintest of shivers runs through her, and her breath hitches. She’s caught between wanting to resist and giving in. And damn, I want her to give in.
Sawyer’s quiet in the driver’s seat, his hands tight on the wheel, but there’s a pulse in the air. He knows what’s going on. He feels it, too.
Clint’s brooding silence is only adding to the tension. He’s always been the steady one, but tonight, even he can’t hide the fact that he’s on edge.
The truck bounces lightly on the dirt road, but all I can feel is Dakota, her body so close to mine, the scent of her perfume wrapping around me in an intoxicating haze. Her legs brush mine, and I feel a surge of heat that I try, unsuccessfully, to ignore.
“Where are we headed?” Dakota asks, just a little too breathy. She’s already anticipating what’s about to happen.
Sawyer’s grin lights up the dark interior of the truck, but he doesn’t answer, just pushes the pedal harder, sending us rumbling down the road.
Dakota turns slightly to me, her lips curling into that challenge that drives me wild. “I don’t like not knowing.”
I don’t answer right away. I’m trying to keep myself in check, trying not to grab her right here, right now. The space between us is tight, the tension thick, and I know if I push, if I make the wrong move, it’ll explode.
But I can’t help myself. I lean closer, my lips just brushing her ear, my breath warm against her skin. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
She shivers, her body trembling under my touch, but she doesn’t pull away. Instead, she tilts her head, exposing the soft curve of her neck, inviting me in.
It’s all I need.
