Page 52 of Crossroads

Now I was going to head to a lovely lunch in a small town that had slowly taken me in, and I was going to have to learn how to say goodbye.

And I hated that thought. I needed to get over it, though, because it wouldn’t be good for anyone if I continued down this wallowing path of mine.

There was a knock on my door, and I looked up, my heart thudding. It wasn’t going to be my sister or the paparazzi. I was literally in the cabin, on Bodhi’s property. I was safe. I was safe with him. Except when it came to my heart, but that was of my own making and demise.

I quickly opened the door, and my heart did that twisty thing even as I pressed my thighs together. I was a goner when it came to this man, and that was a problem, but a problem I would deal with later.

He held up his keys, and I blinked.

“I thought you were working.”

“I was. Then Teagan texted me and said you were going to lunch. I figured you needed a ride out there, but you also need a car of your own. Independence. So take mine.”

And if I hadn’t already been in love with Bodhi, I would’ve fallen again right there. How had he known? Why did he know so easily?

I leaned forward, put my hand on his chest, and went to my tiptoes. “Thank you.”

“It’s really no problem, Kiera.”

I kissed the corner of his mouth, and he smiled against my lips before finally kissing me back. He tasted of coffee, and Bodhi, and I couldn’t help but remember exactly how he had woken me up that morning. And then how he had licked up my spine in the shower. My knees still ached, and I knew that I would be sore for weeks when it came to this man. My pussy and my heart. And wasn’t that something that needed to go on a greeting card?

“Are you sure I can take your truck?”

“As long as you can handle it.”

I smirked, leaned in between us, and gripped his cock. He groaned, shifting slightly. “I think I can handle it.”

“You are temptation.”

“And?” My heart ached.

“And nothing. Be good.”

“What if I don’t want to be good?” I asked, my lips once again playing with a smile.

“Then don’t be good. Just remember that when you get back, I’m going to take all of this frustration out on that pussy of yours.”

I burst out laughing, wondering when this playful side of Bodhi had decided to show up. Yes, he still growled. He still acted as if he wanted to punch the world repeatedly, but he laughed. He made me smile. And that’s what made it so hard. And I knew I would have to leave soon, but not right now.

“Go. Annoy my sister. And make sure she knows that I approve of the annoyance.”

“I’m sure that will make her weep for your approval.”

“Damn straight. It’s what she’s been counting on.” He leaned down, took my lips, and I nearly let the tears fall. What the hell was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I just get over him already?

Oh, right, because he continued to think about me. And continued to make me want. It was hard to hate this man. He kissed me again, and my mind whirled, before he finally took a step back.

“If you don’t go now, I’m not letting you leave. In fact, I just had to set up this rope thing in my studio for another project. We could test it out.”

“Oh no, you don’t. I was promised lunch.”

“Okay then. Be safe. I know that the mayor kicked out everybody who dared threaten the town’s peace, but I still don’t trust anyone else.”

My heart thudded, and I wrapped my arms around his waist without thinking. He paused, his shoulders stiff, before he reached out and cuddled me to him. He ran a hand down my spine again, and I let out a shaky breath. Walking away from this man would break me.

But I knew he couldn’t do long-term. He’d already had his forever. I was a turning point, his crossroads. And I would need to learn to find my solace in that.

“I’ll have Teagan and the others. I know I’m never going to forgive some of this town for what they did to you, but the others? They really do care.”