Does Max know?
She pulled her T-shirt over her head, muffling her voice. When her face reemerged, she said, “He’s acting weird. He smelled my hair.” She pulled her curls loose from their knot. “May I have my panties, please? I know you palmed them.”
“I mean it, babe. Stay away from the vamp,” I repeated.
“With you and Gabe here, I’m fine. You know how temperature-sensitive vamps are. He’s either here working or sleeping at Gabe’s.”
“I didn’t know they were lovers.”
Maddy rolled her eyes. “They’re friends. Gabe made a coffin for Max to sleep in while he’s here.”
Now that all her passion was neatly tucked away, I wanted to strip Maddy down and fuck her again.
Apparently she read my mind easily.
“Hold onto my panties until later, if that’ll make you glower less. I’ve got work to do. I can’t spend my time seducing the boss.” She slipped out my door, holding her clipboard but without her panties.
Pulling my briefs and jeans back on, I tucked Maddy’s panties into my pocket. On second thought. I pulled them back out. Their pink flower print made me smile. Folding them neatly, I placed them in my upper right desk drawer. I liked them there. Starting a collection was the best idea I’d had yet today.
Hours later, I left my office. The steady snowfall would make driving back to Jax’s cabin difficult. I should’ve driven the snowmachine to work.
Maddy was poring over thick paperbacks, alone. Max and Gabe had headed back home earlier.
“How’s it going?”
“I’ve learned something very important. I love writing computer code yet I hate deciphering building code.”
“Good to know. Would you like a ride home, or are you going on four feet?”
“A ride would be great. I’m a little tired today.”
She kissed me lightly on the lips and I deepened it. “I drove Jax’s truck here. Once we get back to his cabin, we can take the snowmachine to your place.”
We packed up and headed out to the truck. In these cold temperatures, the truck’s battery needed continuous charging when it wasn’t running. Without the charge, the frigid temps would drain the battery.
More snow fell, lending the landscape a pristine quality. I glanced up at the sky, but all I saw was more snow.
We made slow progress. As was typical for Sleepy Briar, the roads were empty. It was romantic to think of cozying up with Maddy in the cabin, away from vamps, ghouls, and black magic.
“Stop!” Maddy’s palm slammed the dashboard. Her other hand pointed toward the right side of the truck.
The truck fishtailed when I slammed on the brakes. The headlights illuminated a figure in fur.Fuck.
“What is that?” Maddy breathed.
I closed my eyes for a second, willing the figure to disappear. When I opened my eyes again, the road was still blocked.
Fuck.
“Stay here.” I left the engine running but cracked my door.
“Like hell I will.” She reached for her door.
I pulled her toward me, snarling. “I’m not asking. You will stay in this truck.”
Her eyes widened with fear. I wanted to tell her that she had nothing to be afraid of and that I would never hurt her. She should know that by now. That she doesn’t left a sting.
“Wait here,” I said again more calmly. I kissed her lips before exiting the truck.