If he hadn’t been holding me up against the rail, my legs would’ve given out completely. For a long moment, the only sounds were our heavy breathing and the distant crickets outside.
Brock stayed pressed against my back for a few more seconds, then slowly pulled out of me. I whimpered softly at the loss, cool night air hitting my soaked skin.
He stepped back just enough to deal with the condom and tug his jeans back up. I stayed leaning heavily on the wooden rail and reached down to put my underwear back into place. I tugged my sundress down over my hips with trembling hands, hoping I looked at least somewhat normal.
When Brock turned back around, he looked mostly put together, except for the way his chest was still heaving. He bent down, scooped his hat from the hay, and dusted it off before settling it back on his head.
He stepped close, wrapping an arm around my waist to steady me.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
I nodded, still catching my breath. “That was the stupidest thing we’ve done yet.”
“Stupid or not, I’d do it again. Right now, if my shoulder wasn’t shot.” He looked at me in the dim barn light, then brushed his thumb across my swollen bottom lip. “Wore that yellow dress to dinner. You knew exactly what you were doin’.”
“I forgive you for dinner,” I said. “But barely.”
Brock let out a low, chest-deep laugh. He turned his head and pressed a soft kiss to the top of my head. “Good. ’Cause I’m doing it again tomorrow.”
I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my mouth. “So the yellow sundress is your weakness. Good to know.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t go using that against me.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I smiled sweetly.
He didn’t look convinced. “Go on and head back first. I’ll wait a minute. Don’t need anyone coming out here wondering where we both disappeared to.”
“Right.” I smoothed my dress one more time. “Fresh air. Long walk.”
“Atta girl.”
I shook my head, fighting a laugh. I ran my hands over my hair, took a deep breath, and stepped away from the rail. I could feel the deep ache between my legs with every step toward the house.
I checked my reflection in the dark glass of Colt’s truck window as I passed. Flushed cheeks, bright eyes, swollen lips. I looked exactly like a woman who had just been thoroughly fucked.
I walked up the porch steps, opened the screen door, and stepped into the kitchen. The house smelled like roasted chickenand coffee. From the living room, the low drone of a television narrator murmured something about UFO sightings.
I walked to the sink, poured myself a glass of cold water, and drank the entire thing in one go.
I was playing with fire. Avery’s voice echoed in the back of my head.Just don’t actually screw him.
I let out a quiet laugh, shaking my head. That ship had sailed, sunk, and been thoroughly plundered. And the worst part was that I didn’t regret it. Not even a little.
As long as we kept it quiet, it would be fine. I just had to make sure the agency didn’t find out.
nineteen
. . .
BROCK
Redbow Days hit like a wall of ninety-degree heat and packed bodies. This year’s centennial had pulled in a massive traveling carnival, and the whole town had shown up.
Main Street sat blocked off with orange snow fencing. A local country band tore through a fast two-step on a plywood stage in the middle of the intersection, the bass drum thumping through the soles of my boots.
The air smelled like baking pie crust, fried dough, and crushed grass. Trucks and strollers packed every side street and parking lot.
I hated crowds. Always had. But today, it wasn’t the heat or the noise that bothered me. It was the fact that I had to stand ten feet away from Sienna, act like a damn gentleman, and pretend I hadn’t had her thighs locked tight around my waist less than twelve hours ago.
