Page 73 of Wildest Dreams

“Baby,” he drawls, all gruff and country, “it’s so cute hearing you talk about this shit as if you think you know something.”

When my jaw practically dislocates at thegallof the man he reaches his arm back around my headrest, towering over me as he leans closer.

“You’re in Larch Peak – mountain territory – where they’ve got wild things roaming in every patch of land. You don’t even need to be a citizen of thecountyto come to this range – all you need is to be over eighteen years old and in the possession of government issued identification. And also? When it comes to you, I thinkeverythingthrough. What the fuck do you think I did last night when I was lying on top ofyoursleeping bag inyourgoddamn lake house? All I could think about was what a close call it was at the bar and how it felt likemy goddamn dutyto make sure that you would never be scared in a situation like that again.”

“How on earth is it yourduty? You’re not my boyfriend!”

“About time we changed that don’t you think?”

I groan and throw my head back against the seat. “You’reimpossible,” I whisper, gripping my hands into the top of the headrest.

He watches me in heated silence, tongue swiping over his lower lip as his eyes rake up my body. When his gaze lands back on mine there’s a dark flame flickering in his irises.

“Heard a rumour,” he begins, his big fist landing on both of mine at the top of the seat. He gently holds my wrists together in one firm squeeze.

I roll my eyes. He can be so broody.

“Yeah?” I ask.

“Heard you let Tristan give you a peck on the cheek.”

At first I’m a little surprised by the sudden subject change, not to mention the fact that I didn’t know Tanner knew about that.

I meet his gaze and whisper, “Who said it was on my cheek?”

His fierce eyes are the most penetrative that I’ve ever seen them. “You better be joking.”

“Or what? You gonna put me in the sin bin?” I ask tauntingly, and his hand involuntarily flexes tighter around my wrists.

He grunts and looks at our hands, stroking his thumb gently over my skin.

After a moment he exhales deeply and brings my hands down from the headrest, setting them in my lap. He encases both of his palms around my little fists.

I don’t say anything, but his touch is perfect.

“After what happened last night, I want to take some precautions.” He keeps his eyes down on my hands as he gently squeezes them. “I’m from a military family, Aisling, so I don’t take weapons like that lightly. But I know that, around parts like these, it’s not uncommon for a guy to be carrying something that maybe he shouldn’t be. But I also know that, if that’s the case, I want you to have the belief in yourself that you can handle that situation. If you understand the weapon, it can help dissipate a bit of the fear. Not that you’re scared,” he says quickly, his eyes sparkling with kindness as they flash up to meet mine, “but adeeper knowledge of it might be beneficial, especially if you’re planning on… you know, maybe staying around these parts for some time. I’m not sure what your next move is once you’ve finished the reno at the lake house but…”

Something warm and hopeful burns in his irises, something that I don’t fully understand because I’m more caught up in what he just said – about my potentially staying around these parts. I drop my eyes to our hands, my brow creased and sulky, because I wish I had the nerve to ask Tanner whereheis planning on staying now that we’ve graduated.

But that’s none of my business.

I peek up at him from under my lashes and he gives our joined hands another squeeze.

“This wasn’t on my summer bucket list,” I mumble, and his expression softens.

“I know, baby, and we don’t have to stay for long. Just seeing you hold that thing the way you did last night…”

He glances away from me for a beat, large shoulders rising and falling as if the memory itself pisses him off.

“I want you to know what’s what, and then we can haul ass back to the lake. You’re not even gonna shoot it. We’re gonna see it, hold it, and then you’ll know that – if it’s in your hands – you’re in complete control.”

I purse my lips to the side, secretly loving the feel of Tanner’s big hands wrapped around mine.

Even though he doesn’t know it yet, he’s right – if Idowant to live somewhere like Larch Peak then I should do everything in my power to familiarise myself with the ways of the place. Ones that I was never exposed to as a sheltered real estate heiress.

Tanner’s cheek tics up playfully, sensing my waning anger.

“I mean, it was either this or going into the woods and getting Caden to teach you.”

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