“You never have to worry about safety with me,” he says, that serious look on his face again. “But protecting yourself is the smart thing to do.”
I swallow hard as he offers me his hand to get up into my truck. I mean, I know I can do it myself, but the gesture is nice, and that White Russian is still rolling around, making mythoughts a little hazy, and my actions. Taking his hand, I swing up into the truck.
He closes the door and jogs around to the driver’s side. I tilt my head and inhale the scent on his jacket.Holy fuck.You could bottle this and label it as an intoxicating mix of cowboy and sex. It’s doing things to my lady bits, and I had no intention of jumping his bones. Now I just might. If he’s up for it…
He pulls himself up and into my truck, settling his big body in the seat, and it’s a damned sexy sight, too.
I nod to the visor. “Keys are behind there.”
He pulls it down, and sure enough, my keys tumble out. He smirks again. “Of course they are.”
“Nobody is gonna steal this truck,” I say. “Not if they want to live to tell the tale, anyway.”
He starts her up, and the familiar rumble of my truck’s engine springs to life. It’s such a comforting sound. “I don’t doubt that.”
“What part? Nobody wanting to steal it, or them living to tell the tale?”
He side eyes me. “Both.”
Then he does the one thing that could truly make my ovaries never recover again. He puts my truck into reverse, swings his arm to sit on the back of my headrest and begins to pull out.
Why is that one single move so damn sexy?
Cool it, Bailey.
Well, it’s been a while, and I’m definitely feeling something from down under. This man is just so damn hot it’s off the charts.
“Gonna give me directions?” he asks, and I realize I’m gawking at him.
“Oh, shoot, yes…” I reel off the directions, which aren’t hard to follow, and we roll through town. As we drive, I hear my phone ping from my bag and I just know it will be Sadiemessaging back with eggplant emojis. I reach for my phone and a few moments later, I’m not disappointed to find I’m correct.
I don’t know why, but I wish my place was farther away. That way I’d be able to spend more time being in his close proximity, with him smelling like that. His jacket is warm and cozy, too warm for this time of year, but I’m not complaining.
“So?” he says when we’re out of town, heading past the big sign that says Lawless Christmas Tree Farm. “I guess we’ll be seein’ each other around for a little while?”
“Can’t really help that in a small town.”Wait, was that him flirting? Or is it innuendo for wanting my number? Or is he just being nice?
Damn it, I’m so rusty at this. Tragic, some would call it.
“Maybe we can hang out again sometime?” he asks.
Oh, he is chipper. I pull his jacket around me tighter, enjoying the warmth and his scent. For a second I can dare to imagine what it would be like if I invited him inside for a nightcap.
Would he say yes? Or is he too much of asouthern gentlemanfor a one-night stand?
It’s not my usual MO, but I’ve had one of the best nights I’ve had in a long time, and he’s hot as fuck.
“Maybe,” I say, biting down on my lip. “If you play your cards right.”
CHAPTER 6
Brett
I like those words.
If you play your cards right.
I’d like to see her again, not that I want to complicate things. I didn’t come here for that—I came here for an escape.
