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Making cookies and Christmas in Mouseland manage to pry my daughter out of her father’s arms. Leon heads out to hang with friends, and Sawyer has his own truck, leaving Taron and me alone for the first time since that afternoon after the school Thanksgiving party.

“Feel like you’re missing a limb?” I can’t help teasing as I drive us along the dark country road to the house.

“Yeah.” He exhales a laugh, shifting in his seat. I wonder if his back is aching. He never complains about it. “The day she found out, I wasn’t sure how she was going to respond. I was nervous.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there with you. I had no idea she’d overheard Charlene make that announcement.”

“No good deed, right?” He glances at me in the darkness, and the light in his eyes heats my entire body. They widen, and he grips the dash. “Shit! Watch out!”

Slamming on the breaks, I turn the wheel hard right, narrowly avoiding a doe dashing across the road. I turn the wheel left again to avoid flipping, and the truck shimmies before skidding and straightening with a jerk.

“Holy shit,” I gasp, holding the truck straight with trembling hands. My whole insides are shaken.

“That was some badass deer dodging you did just then,” Taron quips.

Adrenaline surges in my veins, making me laugh. We both do, and he reaches over to squeeze my shoulder as we turn in at the orchard road. A little farther, and I park the truck in the drive between the house and the cottage.

He hops out, coming around to help me out of the cab. “You okay?” He stands in front of me, his hands on my waist, searching my face.

His clean, masculine scent is all around me, and I want to snuggle closer in the cold night air. I want him to hold me. I want to thread my fingers in his hair and kiss him like I used to.

“I’m okay now.” My voice is quiet.

“We have to let those Fast and Furious guys know they’re missing a stunt driver.”

“I don’t now about that.”

We stand a moment longer, his hands still on me, my hands on his forearms. My breath is shallow, and looking in his eyes sends energy snaking through my lower stomach. That old pull between us is stronger than ever, fueled by our past, by our present, and the little girl binding us together.

“Deacon seems like a nice guy.” His hands slip off me, and he steps back.

I’m confused and frustrated by this unexpected shift. “Yeah?”

“He was kind of a cock-blocker the other day, but I listened to the two of you talking. You’ve been really successful. I’m proud of you.” He slides a hand in the side of his hair, pushing it back and looking up at me. “You don’t need me, but I want to be a part of Dove’s life. I want to take care of her… and you.”

His voice softens on the last part, and if he didn’t already have the family advantage, with those words, he reclaims ownership of my heart.

“A long time ago, you caught me when I fell.” My voice is a high contrast to his. “You said you’d save me if I ever needed saving.”

“You said you’d save me right back.”

Stepping closer, I put my hands on his arms. “I wasn’t able to save you before…”

“I didn’t really let you.” Regret fills his tone.

I’ve heard it so many times. I know it so well. Dolly would say storms make trees take deeper roots…

“Maybe we can try again?” Our eyes lock, and the words are barely out of my mouth when his arms circle my waist, pulling me firm against his body.

He’s moving fast, like he’s been waiting, covering my mouth with his, pushing my lips apart. I chase to keep up with him, and a soft groan escapes from my throat. His kiss is eager, hungry, sweeping his tongue inside to mine. I grasp at his shoulders, and his scent intoxicates me. The firmness of his body against mine is a drug.

My hands are on his scruffy cheeks, moving higher, threading into his soft hair. His lips pull mine, nipping and tugging. He lifts me off my feet, and my legs immediately circle his waist.

Boots scuff on the wooden porch of the cottage, and he fumbles to open the door. His lips break from mine, and I moan, leaning forward, kissing his neck, higher to his ear. I feel his erection between my legs, and my core aches for him to fill me.

Lowering me to my feet, he holds me in front of him. We’re breathing fast. “Is this what you want?”

Nodding, I lift my chin and close my eyes for another kiss, but he catches my chin.