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Snug as a bug in bed. Take your time, Kittie Kat.

Kit:

I’m headed home soon.

Dakota:

Take your time.

I glanced up from my phone. “I guess I should…”

Joyride was already leaning across me to open the door. “Thanks for a good time. Drive safe, okay?”

“I will.” I climbed out of the car and dropped to the pavement. He followed me out. “I guess I know how you got that nickname now.”

He smiled faintly. “Nah, I’m not that good in the sack.”

“You’re pretty damn good,” I argued.

“Me? You’re the guy who pretended to be shy and then fucked my mouth like he owned it.”

My face heated. I had been rather presumptuous. “Sorry.”

“It was hot, Freckles. I’m not complaining.”

“Maybe we’ll see each other again sometime,” I said, even as I knew it would never happen.

“Yeah, maybe,” he said, sounding as if he believed it as much as I did.

I turned away reluctantly, not even close to satisfied with the small amount of time I’d spent with him. Maybe it was time to date again. A pit was opening in my stomach.

I glanced back over my shoulder, nearly blinded as the Hummer’s lights came on. The motor rumbled to life.

Joyride drove out of my life.

But that was okay. Dakota was waiting at home. That’s where I belonged. By her side.

My sister was nearly killed almost six years ago in a terrible car accident. Every day with her now was a gift.

I didn’t need anything else.

CHAPTER 1

JOYRIDE

Six weeks later

The door of the pool house where I was staying flew open, letting a ray of light stab directly into my eyes. I groaned and rolled over. “What the⁠—”

“Why did I hear from Bill that you weren’t at work yesterday?” Dad demanded.

Ah, crap. Small towns were such shit.

“Trying to sleep here,” I muttered.

“Too bad,” he said, tone flat. “You’re staying out all hours, skipping work, and worrying your mother. I won’t have it. Straighten up, Joey, or I’m going to have to insist⁠—”

I sat up with a huff. “Like you don’t already? You’re always insisting on something, Dad. Just give me a fucking break.”