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I sighed and shut the door. With a protective hand on her, I drove to her place. I unlocked the front door first, then I carried her in, kicking the door closed behind us. I laid her on her bed, and took off her boots, allowing my eyes at least a slow crawl up her body. I’d give anything to spend the night beside her and know what she feels like there in my arms.

Instead, I covered her with a quilt, kissed her cheek, and whispered, “Good night, sweet thing.”

In her kitchen, I texted Presley and then Cap to let them know the situation. Cap said he’d cover me for the rest of my shift so that I could stay and watch over her all night.

Worried she might wake up throwing up, I couldn’t leave her. And in the morning, I didn’t know what it would bring—but if she gave me the slightest chance, I’d show her I could be the man she never saw coming.

9

BACON AND BLUFFING

HUDSON

The unmistakable scentof sizzling bacon hit first, luring me out of sleep as if it were fish bait and me, the fish. I cracked open one eye. Still in Lacey’s bedroom, and…ouch.I stretched, my back and neck cracking after sleeping sprawled half-sideways in a wooden chair that had definitely not been designed for a big guy like me to sleep in. I wiped my eyes and face. Judging by my wet chin, my drooling must have made quite the impression because she wasn’t here.

Her bed, the one I’d tucked her into way too late last night, was empty, and would have been a more comfortable option for both of us to sleep in. But how to convince her of that?

The quilt had slipped down one side, the pillows dented, and for a split second, I wondered if she’d slipped out to dance on another table. But then came the other scent—coffee, calling me to rise and face this woman.

I staggered into the kitchen, rubbing the crick in my neck, and wondered how the hell she was functioning like a human this morning after passing out.

There she was, standing at the stove in an oversized t-shirt. Her legs were bare like she had nothing on underneath—a fact I’d like to confirm. She’d piled her hair high on her head in thatmessy-perfect way some women pull off without even trying. The entire picture woke up my cock in a very good way—except the shirt happened to be Carson’s old high school football shirt.

My jaw clenched. What the actual hell?Only when she turned and smiled at me, my entire world shifted. My heart stuttered at the effect this woman had on me and she didn’t even know it.

“He has risen,” she said, casting a huge grin like a spell on me, and wielding a spatula like it was a magic wand. “Coffee’s fresh. Bacon’s crispy. I’m hungry, and yes, I cooked enough for two. You’re welcome.”

I blinked at her, stepping cautiously into the room. “You’re awake.”

“Observant. They teach you that in fireman 101?” She winked with a sly glance sideways at me as she returned to tending the bacon

“I stand corrected. You’re awakeandcheerful despite the fact you drank half the bar last night.”

“Three quarters.” She tossed me a goofy smile over her shoulder. “And don’t worry, I already hydrated, downed an ibuprofen, and did some yoga. Also, I never get hangovers when I drink.” She poured coffee into two mugs, and then, before I could stop her, she dropped heavy cream and sugar into both—correction, make that caramel cream.

“Considering I’ve seen you drunk twice in a few days, I’m wondering if you make this a habit?” I asked, worried if I really knew her at all anymore.

“Turns out I’m only an alcoholic when I come back to town and I’m put under scrutiny for everything I do.”

“Good to hear. Although you might want to slow down or else they’ll add ‘town lush’ to the list of gossip.” I advised and accepted the coffee she handed me. One small sip and I hid mywince. Nothing against sugary sweet things, but I needed my strong, black mug of Joe.

She leaned back against the counter. “If you think you can stand my cooking, then let’s eat. Go sit and I’ll bring a plate over.”

“Thought I’d find you curled around the toilet this morning.” I sat at the breakfast nook table.

She laughed and set our plates down, taking a seat across from me. “Well, I suppose I owe you a round of thanks for just about everything from the moment I stepped foot in Poppy Valley. And, you know, saving me from death by poor decisions last night. What a gentleman, too, only removing my boots.”

“What kind of country gent do you think I am? I wouldn’t take advantage of a woman who was passed-out drunk. Nope. I prefer to wait until you’re sober and thinking clearly.”

“You wish.” She giggled, and it reached her eyes, crinkling at me, while taking her first bite of bacon. And I did wish… for many things with her.

I took another drink of coffee, tolerating the sweetness poisoning my tongue. “You gonna tell me what that was all about last night?”

Her smile faltered. “I couldn’t go anywhere yesterday without people whispering and judging. Saying I came to town to break up Carson and Emme. It’s exhausting, Hudson. I sat here and hid away until Jasmine showed up and convinced me to go out. I guess I needed to feel seen.”

“I saw you last night in those cutoff shorts,” I muttered.

“Oh yeah? Get a good eyeful of me dancing?”