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Hetaps the inside of my knee with the back of his hand. “Ofcourse.Iwouldn’t do this for anyone else.Honestly,I’mhappy to be a part of the celebration.Youdid good,Evan.Nowthe whole, wide world awaits.”
Ilift my head and wipe my palms down my jeans. “Guesswe should go inside.”
Ijump down and close the tailgate.WhenIturn,Lukesteps into me, crowding me against the truck. “Areyou okay?”
Inod, but it’s a lie.It’sas if we’re back on the side of that mountain.Ilet the beast out then, and it was amazing.Allthese feelings are bubbling up, and the timing couldn’t be any worse.
“Don’tlie.”
Idon’t know whyIdo it.Itis not likeIthink about doing it.Ijust slide my fingers between his and lean into him.Hisfree hand slides around my hip, caressing me under my jacket.
“Whatare you doing,Evan?”
Reactingto instincts.Fuckingup my life.“Idon’t know,”Iconfess.
Helooks away trying to regain his composure, but he squeezes my hand hard.Hischeek brushes against mine. “Igot you, baby.It’sone dinner.Justget through this weekend and you’re one step closer to freedom.”
Igrasp his arm with my other hand as if his words could buckle my knees.Ipush down the voice in my head telling meIdon’t want freedom, becauseIdo.Iwant it more than anything.
“Comeon.Let’sgo inside beforeIdo something we’ll both regret,” he grumbles.
Hepulls my hand, butIresist. “Doyou still love me?”Idesperately ask.
Hisgaze drops to my lips and then back to my eyes.Helooks at me as if he’s looking into my soul. “YouknowIdo.Nothingwill ever change that.Iknow you don’t want to hear howIfeel deep in my heart for you,Evan.ButIalso know how much your own heart needs to know it.Nothing’schanged.Iwill always love you through and through, to the marrow of my bones.”
Mythroat tightens and my eyes sting. “Ilove you too.”
Heplaces his hand on the back of my neck and pulls me closer.Myforehead rests on his shoulder while we just hold one another.Itake in all the ways he’s touching me.Histhumb is gliding along the edge of my hand and thumb.Hisfingertips are massaging the nape of my neck.Ourbodies sway ever so gently.Hiscologne fills my nostrils, and his warmth draws me in like a magnet.
Westay like this, too long,I’msure, butIcan’t.Ican’t let him go.Notyet.Whatif this is the last time?Whatif he never touches me this way again?Whatif he finally listens to me and takes his love away?
Hehas already tried to break this connection.Triedto convince me to go in the house and be the man and sonI’msupposed to be, butI’drather stay out here with him.
Eventually,Ifind my spine and drop my hands, letting him go.Hesteps back.AlthoughIdon’t miss that he discreetly rearranges himself.Irevel in it because my body is reacting exactly the same way to him.
* * *
LUKE
IfollowEvaninto the house, removing my hat.Embermeets us as she steps off the staircase.Herauburn hair is pulled back in aFrenchbraid making her look older.It’sactually a bit shocking.Forthe first time,Ican begin to see the woman she’s going to become.
“HeyLuke!” she chirps.
Ihold out my fist which she bumps with hers. “HeySparky.”
EvanandIstart to remove our coats when a feminine voice rings through the room.
“Sothis is the best friend?” the musical voice asks.
LookingpastEvan,Isee a beautiful woman who looks more likeEvanthan his own mother; dark, almost black hair, dimples, and the signatureLoganblue eyes.Asshe approaches us,Irealize it’s more than her looks.Shehas that air of confidence and playfulness thatEvanpossesses.Itis a dangerous combination on him, so my curiosity is piqued.
“Luke, this is myAuntElise, and this is my best friend,Luke,”Evanintroduces us.
Eliseholds out her hand.Itake it and lightly kiss her knuckles.Ahandshake seems entirely out of place for a woman like her. “Niceto meet you.”
“EvanLogan,Iam sure you’ve been hiding him from me,” she says coyly. “Ididn’t thinkWyomingcould produce a cowboy like this.”
“Itwas for his own safety,”Evanchimes in with a smile.Heleans close and whispers from the side of his mouth. “Toldyou she’d eat you for dessert.”
