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Alyssa stifled a chuckle. If he only knew … “How’s it different?”

Tightening his hold around her, she was testing his patience. “It just is. And just so you’re aware, Sarah means nothing to me if that’s what you’re getting at. We fucked this morning. Do you really take me for the kind of guy who goes around and fucks any girl?”

Alyssa couldn’t stop the cringe that rolled through her. Her heart dropped and she felt sick. He made it sound like a cheap hook up. She tried to step away, but he stopped her.

“It’s not what you think.”

He huffed. “Everyone’s famous last words.”

Pushing off of him, Alyssa stepped away from his embrace. “For your information, that little scene you saw was Jace’s idea. He played you and I went along with it trying to prove him wrong.”

John’s brows went up in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s nothing … I really don’t want to get into it.”

“No, I want you to tell me.”

An exaggerated sigh left her lips. “I was proving we’re just friends since he thinks it’s more than that.”

John stayed quiet. Were they more than that, or not?

“Listen, I’m not sure what you’re thinking, but just because we hooked up doesn’t mean we’re dating,” she said. “We had a little fun. That’s it.”

Slightly, insulted he held back. “That is it. Even so, I don’t expect or appreciate to see you hang on my boy, Alyssa. You’ll get a name for yourself around here. Is that what you want?”

“I think I’m ready to go home.”

John closed the distance in two strides, forcing her to step back. Alcohol streamed through his veins. Normally it relaxed him, but the image of Alyssa and Jace stuck in his head did the opposite.

“Do you want him?” he demanded, slipping an arm around her waist and yanking her to him. Alyssa turned her head to the side, ignoring him. She was aggravated and tried not to touch him, but when John pressed his hips into her, she couldn’t resist. “Did you want Sarah when you put your arm around her waist?”

He chuckled near her ear, the vibration ran through her. “She’s not you, so that’s a hell no.” His warm breath tingled along her neck. “Well? What’s it going to be, honey? Me or Jace? You can’t have both, and I don’t share or swing that way.” His playful lips grazed her neck then up to the shell of her ear where he slipped his tongue out and traced it. He already knew her answer. John was just having a little fun watching her squirm.

Alyssa moaned under him and gripped his arms against her better judgment. He smelled intoxicating and between the hold he had on her and his sexy southern drawl, she was done for. Her panties were soaked and she ached for his touch. John was incredibly hot and it was obvious he knew what he was doing to her. He got her going like no other.

“You,” rolled off her breath. “Not that it matters since we’re just friends and all.”

“If that’s what you think, but we’re way passed friends. I don’t go around laying lips to just anyone, or screwing them for that matter. Only to the ones I really like,” he said, and then crashed

his mouth to hers. The fire pit crackled in the background the same way he burned for her. He was lost to the new girl who unexpectedly captured his gaze the moment she came to town.

Pulling back, he said, “It better be just me.”

She nodded, unable to say the words. Truth was, Alyssa did like him more than friends, and that scared her more than anything.

“I guess I owe Jace an apology.”

“I’m sure he’s watching nearby …” he said, kissing her neck. “Ready to get out of here?”

Alyssa nodded.

A few minutes later, after saying goodbye to his friends, they were loaded and ready to go. John carefully pulled out of Whiskey River. Once they hit the main road, he took off. She unbuckled her seat belt and scooted next to him, resting her head on his shoulder with her hand on his thigh. John turned on the radio and Kip Moore’s Dirt Road flowed through the speakers. Alyssa must’ve liked it because she reached over and turned it up.

“I see my girl is opening up to country music,” he drawled.

“I guess I am,” she wrapped an arm around his waist as he drove. “Gotta admit, I adore the stories the songs tell. Never thought I would want to listen to it, but I guess country music’s growing on me.” She paused. “It kind of reminds me of falling in love.”

Windows down and wind blowing under the midnight sky, John looked over at Alyssa. “What do you mean?”