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Sitting there as the night dwindled and the logs burned down, pretending to drink the beer she didn’t want, took so much effort. When she finally could stand it no more, she stood and gave an exaggerated yawn.

“Thanks for the fun, guys, but I’m bushed. I’m heading to bed.”

Zach looked up at her. “Want me to walk you to the house?”

She offered him a gentle smile. “No, but thank you. I’ll make it just fine.”

As she navigated the darkness back to the house, she searched every shadow for Colton. Hoping the man would jump out and drag her off to have his way with her made her walk slower.

When she reached the back door without Colton grabbing her, she let out a sigh. She went inside and tossed the nearly full beer in the trash. Then she took a quick shower to wash away the remnants of campfire smoke from her hair.

Any other night, she’d don a camisole and a pair of panties to serve as pajamas. She didn’t know what made her reach for a slinky short nightie instead.

The red number was one she’d purchased with friends at the mall but never worn. They all teased her for information on the man who got to see her in that, but of course, she never kissed and told.

Because nothing ever happened.

She ran her hands over her breasts, cupping them in the silk cloth. Her nipples were pinched tight. A flutter low in her stomach had her reaching a hand down between her thighs.

The ache there could never be satisfied by her own hand. She needed Colton.

Before she knew what she was doing, she moved through the house, headed for the back door.

She never reached it.

The door banged off the inner wall and a huge figure stood in the shadowy space.

He saw her and stopped. Then he took one step inside, fists curled.

“I advise you to go back to bed. And lock your door.” Colton’s growl spread through her entire body.

Shaking her head, she stumbled forward, right into his waiting arms.

* * * * *

He was losing his mind. No, he’d already lost it.

Any control was crumpled up like a tissue and tossed to the mountain wind as Meadow launched herself into his arms.

The silky nightgown she wore slipped against the bare skin underneath it, making him even harder, if such a thing was possible. Ever since he left that fire, he’d been walking, wandering the night, looking for some relief from the mind-addling ache to go to her.

He tried a cold shower. Hell, if he thought throwing himself in an icy pond would ease this manic desire he could live with no longer, he would have done it hours ago.

What led him to open her back door?

What put her there at the exact moment he had flung it open?

Christ, they couldn’t be…bound…could they?

Men who served in the military were a superstitious lot. They believed in getting your due. Being served justice. They believed that to cross paths with an enemy more than once meant that you were supposed to dole out that justice.

But when it came to a woman? Colton didn’t know if he was just making up excuses for him and Meadow seeking out each other at the exact same second.

He didn’t know what to think anymore.

He couldn’t think.

With a soft noise, she hitched her strong, curvy legs around his waist. The scorching heat of her pussy against the bulge in his jeans proved too much.