Page 116 of Lost Trust

Hard.

Heat rushes through me, wiping every coherent thought from my head. My hands find his shirt, and his arms come around me as if he’s been waiting for permission.

I kiss him back. God help me, I kiss him back. His mouth moves against mine, and the moment our tongues meet, every coherent thought in my head goes up in smoke. My brain short-circuits, my knees instantly go weak, and the only thing keeping me upright is his arms around me.

The band keeps playing. People keep dancing around us. Somewhere, Harleigh is probably watching.

I don’t care.

For those few stolen seconds, there is only Royce.

Only his mouth and the way my body melts against his, like it remembers him.

When we finally break apart, I’m breathing hard.

“Royce,” I breathe.

His forehead rests against mine. “We need to finish this, Rina. Come to my cabin with me tonight.”

I close my eyes and shake my head. “No. I can’t.”

“Why not?”

I step back, trying to put some distance between us, but he doesn’t let me get far.

“You think just because you’ve charmed a dozen women into your bed, you can do the same with me?”

“A dozen?” He looks genuinely offended. “More like a gross.”

I blink. “A gross?”

“Yeah. Twelve dozen. Or a hundred forty-four, if my math is correct.” He pauses and grins. “Not my strong suit though.”

Despite myself, a laugh escapes me. “Neither is seduction.”

His grin turns wicked. “Well,” he says, his hand sliding around my waist and settling on my ass, “I seem to remember you being quite satisfied in my bed, darlin’.”

“Ugh. You are gross.” I bring my hands up to push against his chest.

He laughs. “Come on. It’s a joke.”

But the laughter fades, and something more serious settles over his face.

“I’m not the slut you think I am,” he says.

I look away. “Yeah, well, I’m not one either,” I mutter. “And I don’t do casual. That weekend in Dodge City was just a …”

I swallow.

“Just a what?”

I hesitate.

“It was …” I force myself to look at him. “I was having a bad night, and you were there when I needed someone.”

His eyes stay on mine.

“But I don’t make a habit of sleeping around,” I continue. “Sharing my body with someone isn’t something I do lightly.”