Page 44 of New in Town

“I don’t think that follows the rules,” he replies cautiously.

“I know. Seems like we need to revise them again.”

A strangled growl echoes deep in his throat. “Can I see you next weekend? I’ve got sun up to sun down days until then.”

“It’s a date,” she says, attempting to squeeze her legs even tighter still. He swallows hard, eyes darkening, and she feels assured that he must be as affected as her. They stare at one another until she speaks again.

“Tell me what you’re thinking?”

“I can’t believe that I didn’t wait to take you home and do this in person. Because fuck, you’re finally naked in front of me and I can’t touch you. This is going to burn in my brain, a personal hell while I can’t get to you for days.”

“I’m guessing you can’t leave early one day?” she whispers.

“The thought already crossed my mind.”

“I’d make it worth your while.”

“Sweetheart, everything about you is worth my while. I’ll be there the minute I’m able.”

“The minute?”

“The minute.”

They hang up, the promise of more in the air. She is on fire with need, and the idea of waiting any longer for release sounds impossible. She wants Grey, but the idea of him will have to do tonight. Reaching between her legs, she moans with each satisfying thrust, picturing Grey the whole time.

* * *

“How’s the cowboy?” Jules asks over the phone the next morning.

Maddie can feel her face flush. “Well, we makeout now. And last night I’m pretty sure we almost had FaceTime sex.”

“Oh my god! I love this. But also, why over FaceTime? Get that hot ass man in your bed!”

“I should have never snuck a picture of him to you,” she grumbles as she enters her kitchen and starts her new coffee machine. Putting her phone on speaker beside her, she starts filling Jules in on the ride through the wildflowers, the first kiss, the rodeo, and then whatever last night was. When she’s done, Jules lets out a long exhale.

“At a rodeo? Don’t tell Charlotte,” her friend says with a laugh. But Maddie cringes at the comment. Thisiseverything her mom ever warned her about. And she’s the one that keeps escalating things between them, blurring the lines. She worries that she’s falling into the trap Charlotte always warned her about.

“This is why we made the rules though, so things don’t get messy.”

“What are you worried will happen? I think he’s crazy about you. You two are connecting, he was jealous that another guy tried to hit on you at the rodeo. And on more than one occasion you’ve made out in public like horny teenagers.”

Maddie bites her lip as she pours creamer into the fresh cup of coffee. When Jules points out how the last month has gone, it all sounds soreal. She takes a sip and leans on the counter. It could be real. It feels real for her, at least.

20

GREY

The end of the week took its sweet time arriving. Six days of heading back and forth in the mountains is always his idea of an escape, a sanctuary. He doesn’t want to escape, though. Not with things the way they are with Maddie. He feels so close. So close to being able to tell her the fake dating ruse was never what he was interested in.

Especially after that call. Grey hadn’t been able to sleep and ended up settling for his hand when they hung up. But as soon as he had time alone with his thoughts each day, she was at the forefront of his brain again. Skin wet, glistening in the bubbles, showing him just enough to drive him crazy.

But it is the weekend, and he was about to be with her once again. Maddie had texted that she planned something in town for them, nice and close to her place. He tries not to focus on how she had added that last detail, like a clue of what could come.

He knocks, leaning back in the alcove of the entryway. Through the window in the door, he sees a flash of movement at the top of the stairs. A moment later, she is wrapping her arms around his neck once again. Their lips meet, awakening the fire he’s been trying to maintain for days.

Tonight, she’s in her white cowgirl boots with a tiny black denim skirt that shows off her perfect legs. His eyes travel up to the silky, pink top that clings to her in the night breeze. Could he convince her to turn around and head back up the stairs for a night in? He can already imagine how easy that little top would fall off her, by his hand.

“So where are we headed?” he asks.

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