Page 15 of Every Heartbeat After

I turn onto Main Street, once again bearing down on the end of our night, though I never want it to come. “You like it?”

She draws in a breath and closes her eyes. “Mmm, yes. Smells like driftwood. Love it.”

Her words cut through me like lightning. I blow out a breath just to release some of the intensity.

For a man who’d never consider himself a prude, I’m finding myself as horny as a fucking teenager where Tess is concerned. The most innocent touch has my insides in knots. And despite everything I’ve told myself about leaving her alone, it’s beginning to be really fucking hard not to pull over and haul her into my lap.

Does she want that, too? Or is it simply wishful thinking?

“Do you go on your own? To the Carmen, I mean.” I force my voice to remain casual while trying to suss out if there’s someone waiting for her back home. I won’t even consider going down this road if there is.

Her hand retreats as I pull into the parking lot of the motel. Marcy’s shut down the office. A few lights glow behind various room curtains, mostly on the second floor, but it’s largely quiet. Not the fanciest place—I’ve had more than a few calls to the Horseshoe for drug activity—but also the only option in Loveless, really. This time I have to fight the urge to invite Tess back to my place, not for sexual reasons but simply to know she’s somewhere safe.

“Yeah, I go alone. It’s a peaceful place. My little escape from the world.”

That same raw tone fills her voice and strikes a chord in me. “I could use some peace,” I sigh more than say. I put the car in park along one side of the U-shaped building, hoping it’s the side she’s staying on. When I turn to face her, she’s watching me thoughtfully. It’s so much worse than when I was driving. Seeing her like this, wavy hair windblown and lips pursed, sends my thoughts in a dangerous direction. My brain empties, till the only thing I can think of is wanting to taste her. “Maybe I’ll check it out sometime.”

“If you come in May, I’ll be there.”

I lift an eyebrow. “Is that an invitation?”

She laughs, green eyes glittering like jewels in the shadows. “If you want it to be.”

Images of Tess swimming in the ocean fill my thoughts. Tess sunbathing poolside. Tess laid out on a white comforter, wearing tan lines and not much else. I nod like it’s no big deal, though my erection claims otherwise.

Her chin juts toward the motel. “I better head inside. I’m having breakfast with Gary before Zoey takes me to the airport tomorrow.”

“You’re leaving already?” Am I pouting? This feels a lot like pouting.

“Yeah, just a quick trip. I’ll be back eventually, though.” A brief smile, then she’s reaching for her seat belt. “Unless you tell everyone I steal ice cream. Then I’ll have to go into hiding.”

“Your secret dies with me.” I draw an X over my heart, which pounds through my chest. “Can I walk you to your door?”

“There’s that Southern charm.” She winks. “I thought you’d never ask.”

The night air is cool against my skin. As always in Colorado, the temps drop the moment the sun dips below the mountain peaks. By morning we’ll all be sweating again.

And Tess will be on her way home. Why does that thought feel like a physical blow?

I covertly tuck myself into my waistband before rounding the hood of the car. Tess meets me in the middle, looping her arm through mine like it’s the thousandth time instead of the first.

I’m on fire everywhere she touches me. She’s tall, but I’m taller. From my vantage point, I can see the cowlick on the crown of her head. The slope of her shoulder, which is freckled from the sunshine. Darkness pools between her breasts where her dress cuts into a V, and I look away the minute I realize she’s not wearing any bra that I can see.

“This is me,” she says, pointing to the farthest door from the office on the first floor.

I could kill Marcy Evans. “Could you be in a less safe room?”

She turns to me, already laughing. “Don’t worry. I’m a kickboxing instructor, remember?”

I clench my jaw, scanning the row of rooms between her and my car. Only one light is on in the rooms on this level, and there’s no movement to be seen. Still, I don’t love the idea of leaving her here.

“Hey.” She tugs on my T-shirt, drawing my attention back to her. “I appreciate the concern, but I’ll be okay.”

“If you say so.” But I’m already planning on checking the property before leaving, just to be sure. As sure as I can be, anyway.

“I do. Say so, that is.” Tess tilts her chin up. Her gaze dances over my face before settling on my mouth. My breath hitches.

Yellow light from a nearby streetlamp casts her features in an otherworldly glow. She smells like sunscreen and sugar. Like an addiction and salvation in one. We’re so close I’m certain the wild thrum of my heartbeat must be audible. The effect she has on me is that palpable.

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