Page 57 of Blackwood

I leaned up to capture his lips, to soothe the beast. But he hovered out of range, his stormy eyes raging.

“You’re mine.” He moved a hand to my throat. “I won’t let you go. I can’t. I’ll destroy any man who tries to take you from me.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” I ran my palm along his scruffy cheek. “I’m here with you.”

He kissed me again, this time gentler, though his need—his need forme—burned me deeper than anything I’d ever felt.

Raw and rough, he spoke his heart. His words created a new sensation inside me, an inexplicable cocktail of hope, heat, and something stronger. I didn’t dare define it, but as I ran my fingers through his unruly hair, I wished the feeling would never stop.

Chapter Twenty-One

Garrett carriedmy packout the front door along with a small one of his own. I finished lacing my boots and followed him out into the brusque wind. The sky was overcast, promising rain later as a front moved in. We had until about three in the afternoon to do our first bit of surveying before the rain arrived.

“You sure today’s the day?” He stowed our packs on the back of the red ATVs and glanced at the clouds.

“Yes. I can’t wait around for the sun to pop out in a few days.” I stretched my bad leg, happy with the absence of pain or discomfort. “Besides, I’m already behind.”

I’d scouted the best route to a mounded area on the southeast edge of the property. The ATVs should be able to make it there and back again with ease. I also hoped to check out another odd spot on the satellite image. I’d shown it to Garrett, and we both surmised it was some sort of shack hidden in a thicket along the edge of a dense stand of pines. He’d been just as puzzled as I was about it being on his property. We were equally stumped by the photos in Lillian’s camera, and Garrett couldn’t determine which hunter’s mark graced the trees in the background. Square one wasn’t so bad, though, now that I had Garrett to scout with me.

I hurried to my car and snagged the pistol from my glove box.

Garrett eyed me as I walked up, then reached behind his back and pulled out his own handgun. “We’re armed to the teeth. I don’t think any boars are going to get the drop on us.”

I slung a leg over my ATV. “It’s not the boars I’m worried about.”

He walked over and tipped my chin up. “You’re safe with me. Nothing is going to happen to you on my watch.” Leaning down, he kissed me with a sweetness that infused me with delicious warmth.

“Is that a gentler version of ‘I’ll cut a bitch’?” I smiled against his lips.

“I’ll do a lot worse than that if anyone lays a finger on you.” He claimed my mouth again, more urgent this time.

I answered, my tongue sweeping against his as he roped my ponytail around his fist. It had been five days since I ran from him. We’d spent hours lying in bed, plenty of mealtimes cooking together, and our nights sleeping together. After that, I’d had a couple more days of laughing with Hart, the two men playing off each other and amusing me to no end.

After Garrett had marked his territory via loud, rough sex on the living room couch, Hart didn’t try any more come-ons. The night before he’d returned to school, he’d told tales of campus conquests until the wee hours, though I suspected half of the women he claimed to have bedded were solely in his imagination. Entertaining all the same, and something about him being around lulled Garrett into a happier mood. Quicker to laugh and throw witty comebacks, quicker to kiss me whenever we got a moment alone.

He pulled back. “If we don’t stop, I’m going to drag you into the house and fuck the day away.”

I pinned my lips between my teeth and shook my head. “No can do. Work first.”

He groaned and dropped another kiss on my lips, his beard tickling my cheeks, before backing away. I admired the low-slung jeans, button-down red plaid shirt, and simple sheepskin coat. When he turned to finish stowing his gear, the view of his perfectly toned ass almost made me change my mind about staying home.

“Oh, one more thing.” He grabbed the black helmet hanging from his handlebar and walked over. “Put this on.”

I worked my ponytail down until it hung low against my neck, then slid the helmet on. It fit well, and the visor did a great job of blocking the wind while still giving decent visibility. Once satisfied I was concussion-proof, Garrett walked back to his ATV and mounted it.

I flipped the visor up. “Where’s your helmet?”

His signature smirk appeared. “I live dangerously, Red.” He cranked his machine and drowned out my protest.

I glared at him and hit the ignition on mine. It roared to life.

He pulled my map from his pocket, checked it once, then pointed past the house and into the woods. I nodded and gripped the handlebars.

He eased down the cracked driveway. I followed, puttering along. Then I got a wild hair. Twisting the handle, I gave it some gas and motored around Garrett.

I zoomed across the driveway and onto the leaf-strewn lawn. The tree line loomed ahead, but Garrett flew past me. I tried to bite back my laugh as he gave me an exasperated stare, though a smile crept along the corners of his lips.

He slowed as he came to the edge of the woods. “Keep up, Andretti, and stay behind me.”

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