Curious, she tilted her head to the side. “I don’t know if I believe that.”
“It’s true. Your pa sacred the bejesus out of me a couple of times.”
“He did me, too.” Her eyes darkened at the memories.
“Did he ever hurt you?”
“No, he was never nice, but once Ma left, he was even worse. All three of us walked on eggshells around him whenever he was sober. When he was drunk, Holt, Asher, and I would go stay at my uncle’s house until he sobered up.”
“Why didn’t Holt and Asher leave when you did?”
“They couldn’t turn their backs on him. The Hayes might not have much money, but we’re loyal.”
He stared up at her. “Yes, unless they’re talking about your cooking. Holt told everyone at the diner that you couldn’t boil water. Asher didn’t even give you that much credit.”
She gave him an impish grin that had his dick hardening. He grabbed her hips, tugging her higher onto his waist and clenching his fingers to keep her in place.
“They like to keep my cooking all to themselves.”
“I can see why. I think I gained five pounds tonight.”
He groaned when she folded her arms over his chest to rest on them.
“Did you mean what you said tonight before you left?”
“I forget.”
When she started tickling him, he flipped her over until she was underneath him.
“Woman, behave.”
She looked at him with slumberous eyes that kicked his arousal up another notch, not to mention his dick.
“You look like you’re wanting a little something something.” Teasing her, he lowered his lips to her jawline, tracing the smooth flesh to her chin before going up a scant inch to her mouth, letting her feel him hovering over it.
“I don’t want food. I’m hungry for a sexy Porter man.”
“Tate and Greer are both taken. Will you settle for me?”
Jessie gave a disappointed sigh. “I guess … if I have to.” She lifted her hand to behind his head, pulling his mouth down and kissing him with a passionate potency that was hard to resist. When her tongue entered his mouth, he didn’t want to.
Taking the kiss over, he parted her lips with a quick thrust of his tongue that only whetted his appetite more. Then, grasping for his sanity, he tried to pull back before it was too late.
“Jessie, we need to stop.”
“Why …? I don’t want to.”
“Are you sure?” His breath caught in his throat as he waited for her answer.
“I’m sure.”
Lifting himself off her, he started putting his boots back on. “Get your shoes on.”
“Why? We have a perfectly good bed here.”
“Because the first time I make love to you, I don’t want your brothers in the next rooms.”
She went to her closet, taking out her tennis shoes. When she had them on, he reached down, sliding the blanket off and bunching it under his arm before going to the window and raising it. Throwing the blanket out the window, he then lifted himself to the windowsill and jumped down.
“Come on,” he called up to her softly.
She poked her head out. “Why didn’t you go through the door?”
“Because it’s not as much fun.”
“Oh.”
When she lifted herself to the window, Dustin caught her before her feet could hit the ground. He picked up the blanket and took her hand. They ran into the woods, both sets of feet moving in unison, knowing where they were going.
The air had gotten chilly. While it didn’t bother him, he didn’t want her cold. Stopping only long enough to wrap the blanket around her shoulders, he took her hand again.
When they reached the fence that separated their properties, he opened the gate, then closed it once they were through.
The wind picked up as they walked through the field that Greer had cleared for his wedding. Then they were walking under rustling tree branches before coming out onto his backyard. Instead of going into the house, they made a beeline for the new barn.
Unlocking it, he opened the door, letting Jessie go in first before following, closing them within.
Flipping the light switch, he turned the flashlight off. He saw her eyes crinkle as she looked around.
Striding toward the ladder, he waited expectantly for her to climb. He was behind her as she went up.
He grinned at her amazement when they reached the top.
“I told you that I wanted to make it special for you,” he said, measuring her reaction. “The air mattress might not be as comfortable as your bed, but at least I won’t have to worry about Holt and Asher coming in, waving their guns at me.” Bending down at the low ceiling, he went to the old crates that he had set candles on.
Jessie stood silently as he lit the twenty candles.
When he was done, he walked back to her, taking her hand.
“Are you sure, Jessie? We don’t have to do anything. We can sleep here, or I can walk—”