Page 41 of Sugar & Shadows

“You’re thirty-five.” I scoffed. “It’s not like you can go again.”

He pushed up onto his elbows and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Sweetheart, if you want me to fuck you again, all you have to do is ask.”

I didn’t ask. Not because I didn’t want him to. Mainly because I couldn’t imagine a man in his thirties could have such a quick refractory period.

Chapter 10

Gabe

After dozing in the tub for a couple of hours, the damage of which would probably require several spinal surgeries to correct, I threw my shoes on and went to dig out Sabrina’s car.

I resisted the urge to stop and drink in Sabrina’s sleeping form in. She was wrapped in the plaid comforter, one bare shoulder exposed. What I wouldn’t give to see all of her in the daylight. Every single inch of her silky skin.

But then I remembered to whom the body was attached.

I shuddered. Bad idea.

The worst idea.

And not like me at all.

I didn’t fuck random people.

Because what we’d done last night?

Definitely fucking.

Excellent fucking.

Life-changing fucking.

And that wasn’t me. I was a good guy. I pursued women. Dated them. Got to know them before taking them to bed. Women from nice families who were looking for a partner to build a life with.

There was no quick and dirty fucking. Yet suddenly I was questioning why. Because it was a lot of fun.

Even if I now had to face reality.

With a shovel borrowed from the motel owners, I put my head down and focused on the task at hand. Snow removal.

I relished the way it made my muscles burn and my thoughts sharpen.

Yesterday—witnessing Sabrina in her element, really understanding her thoughts and getting a peek into how prepared she was—had been illuminating.

I may not agree with her methods or her philosophy. Or her bratty attitude.

But there was no doubt in my mind that she was effective. For years, I’d fought every small-town battle on my own. From parking space to zoning regulations to a petition to change the high school mascot.

But I was tired. This fight was far bigger than any Maplewood had faced in a long time.

And suddenly I couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, Sabrina could help.

I’d have to keep a close eye on her to make sure she didn’t offend the townspeople or start a Vermont-size civil war, but I couldn’t deny that the woman was smart.

When I was done with the car, I helped the staff clear the sidewalk. Then I headed back to our room. Based on the location of the sun, where it was beginning to peek out of the clouds, I guessed it was eight-ish. By now there was a good chance the plows had been out. If that was the case, we could be back in Maplewood in an hour.

When I stepped into the room, Sabrina was awake, dressed, and already typing furiously on her phone.