Page 32 of Thaw My Heart

“Because why?”

“Because that would be taking advantage of you.”

Either I really am that drunk, or his answer doesn’t exactly sound like a no. My fingers drift along his chest. “Then let me take advantage of you.”

His eyes widen in surprise as my hands slide down his solid abs, towards his belt. I expect him to shove me away, but he lets me. Unable to take his eyes away from my hands on him. “Let me take you in my throat.” My mouth waters just thinking about it. “I want to.” And I really, really did.

Tequila 2. Sadie 0.

“You’ll choke on it, Tequila.”

I laugh, feeling his breath between us. “Good.”

He stares at my lips, and for a moment I think he’s going to kiss me, or shove me down, and God, I hope he does. The light dances around in his eyes, and when he leans in, I’m suddenly aware of the wetness between my thighs.

Fuck I want him bad.

My phone starts buzzing nonstop. The haze in his eyes clears back to rigid blue.

“Give me your phone,” he demands.

“Why?”

“I’m giving you my number,” he clarifies.

I pull my cheap burner phone out of my back pocket and hand it over, smiling at him like I won something.

He stares at it, face contorting in confusion as he flips it open. “How old is this phone?”

“Umm… I don’t know, maybe a year old?” Why is he asking? And why does it matter?

“I haven’t seen a phone like this in twenty years.”

A year ago, I purchased this phone at a gas station. Just needing a basic device to get me by—a phone that my abusive ex couldn’t trace. Sure, it’s crappy, but at least it’s blue. My cheeks flush red. “Well, if you’re just going to make fun of me—” I reach for my phone, but he stops me, lifting his hand over his head where I can’t reach.

“Just need to remember how to use it,” he teases, and I see the faintest of smirks on his face. “Call me if you need anything,” he finishes after typing in his number, handing it back to me.

The grin that’s plastered on my face is practically glowing. There’s definitely something I need…

“But only if it’s urgent,” he adds with a scowl.

I frown, pouting my lips. Realizing I can’t feel them either.

He hands it back and moves past me, gently moving me out of his path. I’m still thinking about the feeling of his calloused hand grazing my hip when he opens the door, letting in a rush of cold air. “Goodnight, Tequila,” he smiles, heading out into the snow.

One night. Two smiles.

I’m probably going to wake up with a million regrets. But right now, I feel none. Only heat that I’m going to take care of before I wander over to his house and beg him to let me choke on it.

Instead of going for a run, I find myself at Cole’s before dawn. A storm is on the horizon, hovering over the mountains with a promise to break. Dark clouds rumble above me as I open the front door and let myself in, needing to talk to my aunt and uncle about Cash being back in town.

The smell of bacon and eggs brings me to the kitchen, where I find them in their normal morning routine. Aunt Annie is wearing a western-themed apron, cooking up eggs in a frying pan while soft country music plays from the stereo. Uncle Cole sits at the kitchen island, wearing his reading glasses with a newspaper in one hand and a coffee mug in the other.

Being in this kitchen, along with the old, distressed wooden cabinets, brings back memories of my childhood. I used to spend every weekend at the ranch in the summertime. Always cooking in the kitchen with Annie to avoid the heat of the day.

“Good morning, Kit,” Cole smiles, noticing my presence.

In a flurry, my aunt sets down the spatula and runs up to me, wrapping her skinny arms around me. For a woman in her late fifties, Annie is quite youthful, with shoulder-length white hair. Always one of the best-dressed women in the room and covered in silver and turquoise jewelry.