Page 67 of New in Town

“You are such a jealous guy, Dune. Couldn’t let Brett have just one day with her?” he says with a laugh.

Maddie smiles at his side, loving how at ease he is here. Dune isn’t as enthralled with Grey as she is and with a dismissive huff, he continues his way.

Drinks turn into dinner and soon they are moving to cut the cakes. Maddie takes in the table with three different cakes and remembers Laurel saying she couldn’t decide between flavors. It looks perfectly planned, laid out like this with staggered heights and mismatched vintage cake stands.

As the cakes are being cut, Grey takes her hand and threads their fingers together. He pulls her up from their table and moves towards the wide-open doorway across the barn. They are weaving through the crowd when an aged cowboy stops them.

“Grey, I hear that your lovely lady is a Wells,” the man says eagerly, running his hand down his bolo tie. “Introduce me to my friend’s girl!”

“Colton, this is Maddie. Maddie, meet one of our retired ranch hands, Colt.”

She reaches out to shake his hand when another man walks up beside them.

“Did you say Wells?”

“This here is Maddie Wells, Henry’s kid,” Colton replies, motioning to her. She doesn’t have time to correct him that her last name is Erickson because the other man is cutting in excitedly.

“You’re the new vet, right? I think I saw you at the walk-in clinic.”

She nods, appreciating the way Grey has pulled her against him and is rubbing reassuring circles between her shoulder blades with his thumb.

“I’m Buck, Henry and I went way back. Colton, too. We’re so glad to have you here, keeping a piece of him alive for this town,” he says.

“The town has Arlo and Grey to thank for that,” she replies, stealing a glance up at those familiar blue eyes. “And I’m happy to be here.”

The men shake her hand and give Maddie and Grey the opportunity to sneak outside. He leads her around the corner, so they are tucked away between two of the barns. Out of sight from the crowd, he presses her up against the wooden structure and runs his hands down her sides until they come to rest on her hips. Maddie can feel him grasp her tighter, his fingers biting into her and causing a tingling sensation to arise between her legs.

Bringing his hand to her throat, he tilts her head back and nips at her exposed skin. His mouth is warm against her, and she groans as he works his teeth and tongue along her. The heat that threatened her earlier is a five-alarm fire now, she needs to feel more of him, fast.

Tugging at his tie, she pulls his body tighter against her and rocks her hips forward. The friction between them still isn’t enough, a whimper of need escaping her. He lets out a gruff chuckle in response, dragging one of his hands down her thigh and then hooking it back up under her dress.

His fingers press against the lace of her panties, and she shivers at his touch. She is already eager for him, and Maddie knows he can tell through the delicate material. Bringing his mouth to her ear, he tightens his grip on her hip as he pushes the lace aside and runs his hand along her sex.

“You’re so fucking wet for me, sweetheart,” he growls into her ear.

She nods wordlessly, desperate for him to slide his fingers inside. Instead, he teases at her clit, causing the tension in her to build.

“Do you know how good it felt to hear someone call you mine and know it’s real now?” he asks.

“Show me,” she manages through ragged breaths.

The party echoes around them and she can see him deciding what he wants to do next. At this point, she’s confident she’d let him take her right here against the barn with everyone on the other side of the wall. He hooks his fingers inside her, a devious glint in his eyes.

“I’m going to have you begging for it, sobbing my name. But not here. I can’t have you loud out here,” he tells her as she rides his hand. “Come on, we’re going home.”

No one notices them sneaking away in the darkness, and Maddie sends up silent thanks that this moment isn’t getting interrupted. They barely make it inside when Grey closes his front door and presses her against it. He drags his hands up her sides, taking her dress with him. Sliding it over her head, a grin tugs at the corner of his lips.

“God, I love that you never wear a bra for me, so easy to get my mouth on these,” he says before bringing his mouth to her breasts.

Her body hums with pleasure as he sucks and licks her, making her want more. Always more of him. She peels his jacket off and moves for his tie, her fingers working quickly until the silk floats to the ground and his shirt follows.

Dropping to his knees, he tugs her panties down then drags his mouth back up her leg. Slow and relaxed. Everything she does not want. She needs him desperately, now.

“Grey,please,” she begs, just as he’d predicted.

Working his way up, he reaches her center with his mouth, swiping his tongue along her opening. He lifts her leg, throwing it over his shoulder as he devours her, causing her to tremble around him.

“I’m going to take my time with what’s mine,” he murmurs.