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I’m wrapped up in a thin sheet, wearing nothing else but Cutter’s way too obvious stare. I know he’s not trying to hide staring. That’s fine.
“Pouring those drinks or what?” I ask.
“Not sure if you wanted…”
I smile. “I’m a single mom, Cutter. I do more in a day than most men do in a month. If you think I’m going to waste perfectly good whiskey by watering it down or mixing it with some sugary crap, you don’t know a thing about me.”
Cutter seems surprised but he doesn’t say anything else.
At least not until after he pours the shots.
“Now, Piper, let’s be very clear here,” he says. “If you take this shot, you are not leaving. I will not let you put yourself in harm’s way.”
“Oh, screw yourself, Cutter,” I reply, rolling my eyes. “The hero I don’t need. I’ll do whatever I want, when I want. Cheers.”
I throw the shot glass back and feel the shattered-glass burn from my throat to my belly. My eyes water for a few seconds and I make sure Cutter doesn’t see that.
He takes his shot. Then he says, “You could tell me something about yourself.”
“What?”
“You said… you don’t know a thing about me…”
“I meant for the drink, Cutter.”
“And I’m talking about everything else. Tell me something, Piper.”
I feel the rushing warmth of the whiskey move throughout my body. Although I’m not sure it would happen this fast. I’m not going to say this feeling is because of the way Cutter is staring at me. Or the way he’s leaning against the railing, wearing nothing but jeans.
“Okay, Cutter Buckley,” I whisper. “You really want to know something about me?”
Piper Maple! What are you about to say to this man?
Cutter nods.
I inch a little closer to him. I’m already telling my heart to tell my brain this is just the whiskey talking…
“You know I’ve never had sex outside before?”
“Really?”
“Never. And a sunset? On a deck like this? Just… I don’t know…”
“I mean, I’m not a genie in a lamp here, sweetie, but I can make a few wishes come true here and there.”
God, can he be any more cheesy right now?!
Yet I’m smiling.
Cutter swipes his left arm, sending the shot glasses and the bottle of whiskey sailing through the air.
They land somewhere in the backyard. I don’t really care.
Next thing I know his hands are all over me, pulling at the sheet, stripping it out of my grip and pulling it away.
I’m naked.
Fully naked.
