Page 9 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

But every time she and Seeley got close enough that she thought he’d kiss her, he’d clench his jaw, his entire body tensing up, and he’d put distance between them.

He was making her crazy, playing some kind of emotional tug-of-war, like she was forbidden fruit.

That sunny afternoon, she’d had enough of being treated like she was only the governor’s daughter. She and Seeley were rinsing off the horses they’d taken on a muddy trail ride with Cowboy, Dare, and two kids her age who were going through the ranch’s program for troubled teens. She and Seeley were the last two down at the barn.

“Damn, it’s hot out here.” Seeley took off his cowboy hat and hung it on the handle of a pitchfork that was leaning against the side of the barn.

It was all she could do to watch him as he took off his shirt and used it to wipe his face, his body glistening in the sun, muscles flexing as he tossed the shirt aside. She wanted to feel those hot muscles against her. He raked a hand through his wavy brown hair, and she drank him in as he strode back to his horse.

“You gonna share that hose or stare at me all day?”

Embarrassed that he’d caught her staring, she lifted the hose and sprayed him.

His eyes narrowed. “Oh, you want to play, Peaches?”

He called her Peaches because she always carried a package of peach candies. Little did he know she sucked on them throughout the day in case he kissed her.

“Heck yeah, I want to play.” She sprayed him again, laughing.

He ran toward her, and she squealed, sprinting away. She turned to spray him, but he caught her around her waist, tugging her back against his chest, both of them laughing as they wrestled for the hose. He ripped it from her hand, his other arm still belted across her stomach, keeping her pressed to him.

“Seeley, don’t!” She grabbed his wrist, pushing away as they cracked up.

He tore his wrist free and turned the hose on her, dousing her with cold water. She shrieked, squirming to get free from his other arm, but he held her too tight, both of them laughing hysterically.

“How do you like that, Peaches?” He sprayed her again.

She shriek-laughed. “Stop! I’m already wet enough!”

His body went rigid against her, and he gritted out, “Jesus Christ.”

“What’s—” She realized what she’d said and heated from the inside out at the way he’d taken it, her laughter silencing as she realized this was her chance to strip away his restraint. She turned in his arms, their wet bodies pressed together. “What’s the matter? Don’t you like knowing you get me wet?”

His eyes drilled into hers, a stormy mix of restraint and desire. “Fuck.”

“What’s wrong?” She pressed her breasts against his bare, muscular chest, grinding her hips against him, and felt him get hard. “Am I too close?”

“Juliette,” he warned.

“Don’t you like the way I feel?” She gathered all her courage and said, “Because it sure feels like you do.”

“You’re driving me fucking insane.” His voice was rough as gravel, his words dripping with desire. “You know I want to get my hands on you, but I’m trying to do the right thing, and you’re making it too damn hard.”

“I can feel that.” Heart racing, she whispered, “And I like it.” She went up on her toes and kissed him!

His arm tightened around her middle, and she thought he’d kiss her back, but he tore his mouth away, his volcanic eyes searching hers for only a second, before he gritted out, “Fuck it,” dropped the hose, and crushed his mouth to hers, kissing her harder, his tongue sweeping hungrily over hers. His scruff abraded her skin, setting her entire body aflame. He grabbed her hair, angling her mouth beneath his, taking the kiss deeper. He held her tighter, his erection pressing into her belly. She clung to him, returning his efforts with everything she had, kissing him harder, rubbing against him, and wanting so much more. She’d never been kissed so intensely, had never wanted anyone so badly.

When he tore his mouth away, gritting out a curse, stormy eyes scanning the area around them, she worried he’d never kiss her again. “Don’t stop,” she pleaded. “I want you to kiss me.”

He grabbed her hand, hurrying into the barn, and reclaimed her mouth, thoroughly devouring her. Her knees buckled, and her body begged for more. She knew she’d never be the same again.

The colt bobbed his head, startling her out of the memory.

Her heart raced. What am I doing? Seeley hadn’t even looked back when he’d stalked off the other day. He hadn’t given her a single glance.

It had been three days, and anger still bubbled up inside her.

She shouldn’t be surprised by his behavior, considering how fast and easily he’d moved on that summer. She knew her father would have followed through on his threats, and she didn’t blame Seeley for not wanting to go to jail, but she’d expected him to at least fight for them after learning she was pregnant. Instead, he’d finally answered her letters and had severed all ties.