by Ashley Kay
Blowing out a harsh breath he says, “Here’s the thing, Montana, I used to follow all the rules, and it never did me any good. Besides, I’m not even touching you.” He quirks up his lips and angles his head down. Sure enough, we weren’t technically touching, but the heat rolling between us says otherwise.
I groan, leaning my head against the wall, trying to create some distance. If I really wanted to, I could tell him to back off, and he’d move.
He drags his eyes back up to mine, his stare searching for something. Maybe one little taste is all I need to get him out of my head. Sounds logical, right? Maybe just one kiss will clear up the mystery of Preston Lee. Perhaps he’s a terrible kisser—slobbery like a dog. Staying away would be a no brainer.
“What are you thinking about?” His breath across my face sends shivers down my spine.
I swallow, my throat full of sand. “I’m wondering who the heck made up a stupid rule like that.”
He gets within an inch of my mouth, my lips naturally parting. “Fuck the rules, Savy,” he husks out before crashing his lips to mine.
His mouth is hot and heady, insistent and exquisite. The searing lash of his tongue at the seam of my lips entices me to open so he can slide in. I moan and Preston lets go of the wall to wrap his arms around me tightly, one hand clamping onto the back of my head, the other splayed across my back. Every hard plane of his body molds to mine and I arch in his arms. My hands roam to his hair, pulling on his thick, dark mane, relishing the silky feel of it and how it glides effortlessly through my fingers. He sweeps my hair back, tugging it to angle my head so he can trail his hot lips down my neck. Another low moan escapes my mouth as his stubble scrapes against my tender skin and I imagine what his face would feel like buried between my thighs. I burn even brighter, my insides molten lava, a volcanic eruption close. Moving to my ear, he swirls his tongue around the shell, his warm breath bringing forth arousal and chills down my body.
“You little rule-breaker.” He nips my lobe before snaking a hand around my waist and down behind my thigh. Hiking my leg up over his hip, he grinds his obviously hard length into my throbbing center.
“I could say the same about you, cowboy.”
He groans, moving to devour my mouth again. Parting my lips wide, I allow his tongue to sweep in, dance and tangle with mine, flashes of pleasure spiking deep in my core. The friction’s so intense, I’m about to come apart. It’s been way too long since anyone has made me feel like this, so alive, on fire.
“Fuck. I knew you’d taste incredible,” he whispers against my lips before crushing them again.
I hum a sound of approval, raking my hands down his back, his every muscle rippling under my nails. Lifting my other leg around his waist, my back flush to the wall, he pushes himself harder into me and with only the thin material of my athletic wear separating us I could explode by the pressure alone.
Slowing down, Preston explores my mouth languidly, sucking them in and biting down on my bottom one. I gasp, clenching my thighs tight around him. It’s electric, it’s sensual, it’s heart-stopping erotic.
He pauses, his forehead resting against mine. Our breaths are shallow, hearts racing in erratic patterns. Gazing deep into my eyes, he gently sweeps the stray hairs off my forehead. His hard length is still pressing blissfully into me—our bodies angry we’re still clothed.
“Whoa,” I breathe out. The need is all-consuming, searing and eating us alive. Chuckling, he bends down to capture my mouth again when abruptly a door upstairs slams shut.
The rapturous fog still holds my brain hostage, but Preston rips his mouth from mine and grips my shoulders, whipping his head toward the sound. “Who’s that? I thought we were alone.”
My mouth opens to speak, but then he tenses up, his hold on me tightening—almost painfully. I look up toward where he’s glaring and Greyson is staring at us from the top of the stairs.
Oh boy. My heart gallops as blood rushes from my groin back up to my face. My legs are still wrapped around Preston’s waist and my arms tangled around him, holding on for dear life. He immediately sets me down, stepping back to grab his coat.
Embarrassed at being caught, I hug myself, my body now cold from his lack of contact. Glancing back up, Greyson’s gone. He must have taken the back way out. Preston is already on his way to the front door.
“Hey, wait, you don’t have to go. It’s ok. He’s gone.”
Preston runs his hands through his disheveled hair, agitated. “No, I need to go, I shouldn’t have done that.”
His words knife right through me, making me feel cheap—dirty. My pulse speeds up, anger bubbling to the surface.
“Then why the hell did you, Preston?” my fists clench at my sides, ready to fight or flee.
“I don’t know.” Scrubbing a hand down his face, he paces the space in front of us. “I … I, goddamnit, Savy, I just need to go. I should’ve never agreed to this.” He jerks around to leave, eying the stairs where Greyson once stood.
I slap the wall with my fist, the sting small compared to what my heart feels. “Screw you! Is this about Grey? I know he hurt you and hurt you badly, but he has been through a lot, too. I’m not excusing any of his behavior, and to be honest, I have no freaking clue what went on, but we all can’t avoid each other! We have a business to run. Please, just talk to him!” my body is shaking. I want to puke.
His jaw ticks at my words. “I have a business to run. This does not concern you. Best you stay out of it.”
I see red. I’m this close to picking up an arrow and firing one up his ass. I don’t curse often, but this man makes me want to scream out expletives.
“You’re driving me crazy. I’ve done nothing but try to be nice to you despite your mood swings, which are worse than a menopausal woman, by the way! You’re right, we should have never done this, worst idea I’ve ever had.” I draw in long breaths, my body still buzzing from our kiss and anger at his rejection.
He advances a few stilted steps in my direction until he’s directly in front of me, blowing out a big breath. I freeze, afraid fire might escape and burn us both.
“Savannah…” He flits his gaze back and forth between mine, a deep wrinkle set in between his eyebrows. “Never mind. Goodnight.” He stalks off toward the entrance, slamming the door behind him, leaving me reeling and alone.
Touching my lips, I wince. They’re tender and swollen from the onslaught of Preston’s lips on mine. That kiss was so carnal and raw. Like the first bite from a piece of dark chocolate, sinful and decadent. Then he had to go all Mr. Frosty and act like an asshole. It still stings. I hug myself again, wanting to curl up and disappear.
The motion sensor light clicks off up front, throwing parts of the building into darkness. The mood lighting I set earlier has now taken on a creepy vibe with me here all by myself. It shouldn’t bother me. I’m used to being alone, but for a minute there, I shared space and didn’t mind it.
The discarded bows are laying on their sides so I bend to pick them up. The front door opens and I pause, whirling around. Did Preston come back to apologize? Did someone else see the door unlocked and thought everyone had left? I tense, ready to grab an arrow if necessary, when I catch a familiar figure coming out from the shadowy hallway as the motion lights snap back on.
I expel a big breath before remembering what he witnessed just a few moments ago. “What are you doing back here, Grey?” I place the bows back on the practice rack, using it as an excuse to not face him.
“I saw Preston rush out and wanted to make sure you were ok.” His booted feet come into view.
“I’m fine, just getting ready to go home.”
“I told you, he’d hurt you,” he mumbles.
I roll my head back and close my eyes at the ceiling. Opening them, I face Grey.
“Things were fine until he saw you. Maybe it’s not him, it’s you. Or maybe it’s both of you. I don’t know, but I’m tired.” I rub my eyes, not sure if its unshed tears I’m wiping or irritation over all of
it. “I’m tired of being your middleman. This game of tennis you guys are playing is getting old. Who am I supposed to trust here?”
Shuffling his feet back and forth, he won’t look at my face. “I’m just trying to protect you.”
“Well, stop. I don’t need it. I’m a grown woman. I’ve been doing this thing called adulthood for so long, I don’t need a babysitter or a big brother to keep watch. What you need to do is figure your shit out with your brother.” There I go with another curse word.
Putting the arrows back into their holder so they’re ready for tomorrow’s training, I grab my coat, shoving my arms into the sleeves. “I’m going home, I’ll talk to you later.” Shaking my head at what I’ve gotten myself into, I leave him to finish closing up the building.
Each step home is torture. One foot in front of the other, dread sets in. How is this going to work now that I dipped my toe into a vat of unadulterated passion? I should have stuck to my plan instead of getting swept up in the heat of the moment. And hot it was, for sure.
I need a drink and to service myself before I behave like a cat in heat, howling at all hours of the night. These Lee brothers are going to drive me into an early grave. I’m not sure I can look Greyson in the eye again. He caught me making out hardcore with his brother, and I snapped at him. My normally cool exterior is crumbling all because a city boy blew in and burst my comfortable bubble of existence. I better get my resume ready and update my contacts.
Reaching the sidewalk in front of the house, lights glow from inside the front window. The curtains obscure any other view into Preston’s living room, but it’s clear he’s there. Willfully ignoring the hammering of my heart, I make sure to be quiet going in. I don’t know why I don’t want him hearing me. Was I expecting him to say he’s sorry for sucking my face and ditching me?
Scowling, I find my bottle of bourbon and make myself a small drink. Throwing it back, I enjoy the warmth of it going down.
Smooth. Unlike Preston’s exit.
I clutch my glass tightly, cursing our shared wall. I don’t like mind games and Preston is the master at them. Of course, I had to be attracted to a guy that thinks he’s being chivalrous by placing all blame on himself for not being good enough. What does that even mean? We’re all severely flawed. I doubt he’s any worse than the rest of us. I’ll have to ask Lynn. She seems to know men better than I do and I don’t mean that suggestively. I’m just clueless. Brody was the only man that occupied my world for the longest time and after him, I stuck pretty much to myself, except for a few casual dates.
Preston doesn’t know the whole reason my marriage imploded, but maybe he somehow senses I have baggage, that I’d only bring him down.
I sling back the rest of my drink, resting my head on my knees, the burn from the alcohol caustic. I need my best friend. Rolling my eyes to the clock, I fish out my phone from my bag and call her.
“Hey love, what’s up?”
“What’s wrong with me, Lynn?” Closing my eyes, I lay down on my couch and pull my blanket over me.
“What do you mean, babe? Nothing’s wrong with you. Does this have to do with a certain brooding brother that has graced Montana with his presence? What did he do, do I need to kick his ass? I know tae kwon do.”
Snorting, the effects of the bourbon settling in, I reply, “Yes, it is Mr. Manhattan himself. He told me he’s no good for me after we had this life-altering make-out session in the archery yard.”
Rustling comes from the phone and her loud gasp makes me wince. “What? You made out with him?” she yells and I hold the phone away from me so I don’t bust an eardrum.
“Yes, pay attention. It was mind-blowing. Then Greyson saw us and he just detached. Said mean things and I don’t know what to think! I wanted to clobber him and jump him at the same time. Help me, Lynn.”
“Hmm. Shit. You think he’s just scared? Guys do that sometimes, get scared, back off, and then act like assholes.”
“You think? What if I’m just bad news and he doesn’t want to deal with it since he’s only here a short while before high-tailing it back to New York the day his year is up?”
She sighs dramatically. “Babe, listen to me, you’re not bad news. Hell, you’d probably be the best thing for him. I mean, maybe whatever happened in his past turned him off from getting close to anyone. Think about it. After Brody, you didn’t want to open up to anyone for the longest time. Maybe it’s like that with him.”
I pause because she’s right. I was alone for a long time, couldn’t get close to anyone. I was afraid they would all leave me too, so I never tried.
“But what if he gets to know me and doesn’t want me?”
“Stop thinking about the future. Just enjoy right now. You just met him, don’t get ahead of yourself. Besides, he’d be crazy not to want you and if he doesn’t, it’s his loss and he will be out of your hair and sipping cocktails in some ritzy New York bar all alone in a year.”
Picking at the blanket, I blow out a breath. “Oook, fine. You’re right. Time will tell if he fears getting close. I guess the best I can do is just be there for now. He needs a friend … but, damn Lynn, that kiss was so hot, I may not forget it.” I don’t tell her about our ‘no-touching’ agreement. I feel foolish for even suggesting it when it didn’t even last twenty-four hours. But after his show of egotism, I doubt I’d let him near me in that capacity again.
She giggles. “I’m jealous. Do you remember Jamie? He’s been stopping by the restaurant and I went on a date with him the other night.”
I gasp. “Really? How was it? I remember Jamie, he’s so cute.” I snuggle down further onto my couch, the blanket so warm, a lingering trace of Preston’s citrusy cologne infused in it.
“It was fine, he’s so sweet. He kissed me goodnight, and it was … so-so.”
“So-so? No way! No sizzle, no fire, no tingling?” My nose is still buried in my blanket, muffling my voice.
“Nope. Nada. It was sweet, but not toe-curling.”
Just thinking about Preston’s mouth on mine has warmth curling into my lower belly. “Maybe he was just nervous. Are you going to see him again?”
“Yeah, I think so, we’ll see. Maybe my expectations are too high?”
Her expectations are ridiculously high, but they should be. After the crap she had to endure while we were growing up, she should be. She’s also awesome and deserves the best.
“Lynn, no, your expectations are fine. I think it’s ok to want to feel some sort of intensity. The attraction has to be there at least a little.”
Preston and I have that in spades, but it doesn’t matter anymore. I’m done with that.
“You still there?”
“Yeah, sorry, I was lost in thought.”
“About a tall, dark, and handsome fellow perhaps.”
“Stop it! I need to forget about him. Anything else going on with you.”
“Oh, you know, same ole same ole, except some big shot hotel owners have been bugging me about selling my property to them, but I’ve been sticking to my guns and hopefully they bugger off once they realize I’m not going anywhere.”
“Good, stick it to them, you’ve worked hard to be where you’re at.”
After several more minutes of chatting, I let her go so she can go to bed. Brody has left me more texts, but I keep on ignoring him, hoping he gets the hint and leaves me alone.
I think about what Lynn said, to just go with the flow and see what happens. I’m still pissed at what Preston said. His clipped tone might work in New York, but here in Montana, it makes people reach for their rifles. I chuckle, imagining him shaking in his shiny loafers.
Walking past the door that separates our houses, I send a glare, sticking out my tongue like he can see me through the walls. Inwardly grimacing at my childish behavior, I march myself to bed, hopefully waking up a grown-up.
9
PRESTON
I’m such an idiot.
Rubbing my eyes after a night of restless sleep, I think abou
t how things went south with Savy the night before. I close my eyes tight, letting out a groan before tossing my blankets aside. My cock stands at attention, tenting my boxer briefs, remembering last night right along with my brain.
Fuck.
In my defense, her “no-touching” rule was complete bullshit, and she knew it too. She has standards and I respect the hell out of her for them and I would’ve backed off one hundred percent if she told me to, but she didn’t. That frenzied look in her eyes confirmed it—she’s just as attracted to me as I am to her. I can still taste her lips and feel her tight little body against mine. She became putty in my hands, and I wanted to wreck her. Then I had to fuck it up. Even though she lights my body on fire, I’m right. She’s not good for me. She makes me feel alive and worthy and I just can’t let her in like that, because without fail, those I invite in always leave. I don’t need difficulty. I need being here in Montana with my brother to be easy.
But with Grey and me, it’s never easy. I haven’t spoken to him since that argument in my living room and the times we’ve crossed paths, all we did was fling veiled insults. Maybe Savy’s right. I need to talk to him and get this figured out. I’m tired of the fighting. Flipping out every time I see him is a losing game. It’s much easier when we aren’t in the same vicinity and I can pretend he didn’t exist, but here I am in a constant state of alertness, watching and waiting for him to pop out at every corner to remind me of what he did. Like last night, being in the office while Savy and I were downstairs. He interrupted what was the hottest make-out session I’d ever had in my life.
It was raw, sexy, and I was ready to rip her clothes off and fuck her up against that archery wall. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’ve had plenty of one-night stands, but with her, it wouldn’t just be a one-night thing. I can’t risk it. She’s too much of a good person and she deserves someone who can treat her right and give her one hundred percent. It’s just not me. Her ex-husband hurt her and I refuse to do the same.
