Page 79 of His Temptation

Driving around with me in the car wasn’t exactly keeping it inconspicuous. But the windows were tinted enough, so it should’ve been fine.

“Where are we going?” I asked, once he’d pulled out of the garage and got on the main road. I knew of a few parks and a campground not far from town, but it made me nervous to go to any of them. They were usually crowded this time of year, and we were bound to run into someone we knew. “Hopefully somewhere not too busy.”

“Don’t worry.” Emery rested a hand on my leg. I linked our fingers, loving the feel of his strong hand in mine. “If you don’t mind the drive, I know of a great place an hour and a half north of here called War Eagle.”

“The place with the historic mill?” I asked. “There’s also a nature center and museum, right?”

“You’ve heard of it.” He smiled and squeezed my hand a little tighter. “There’s a great hiking trail too.”

During the drive, we went back and forth picking some of our favorite songs for the other person to listen to. He let me hear the “Moon River” song, and I played him one from Sick Beat.

“That’s the group Ryan loves,” Emery said, before pressing his lips together. He listened to the first verse and the chorus. “It’s… different.”

“You can say it sucks,” I said, grinning. “It won’t hurt my feelings. We don’t have to like the same things.”

“But Idolike many of the things you do.” I couldn’t read his expression since he was wearing sunglasses, but I imagined that soft look in his eyes when he said the words. “I also like learning from you when we have our differences.”

“Keep talking like that and I’ll make you pull the car over.”

He turned his head toward me before glancing back at the road. “Why?”

“So I can straddle you and ride that beautiful cock.”

The car swerved a little.

Satisfied with myself, I smiled and looked out the window.

When we arrived at War Eagle, Emery parked near the mill so we could get out and have a look around. They had a gift shop inside where you could buy freshly made jams, and he bought a jar of blueberry. We didn’t hold hands as we walked through the mill, but every so often his fingers would touch mine as our arms hung at our sides.

Each time we touched, a little spark of electricity shot up my arm and to my chest.

As we left the mill and stood on the small cliff overlooking the river behind it, I scooted closer to him.

“I’d love to kiss you right now,” Emery said, staring at the water. The gentle breeze ruffled his black hair.

We were nearly two hours from home. No one we knew was around. The connection sizzled between us, and my body heated in response, drawing us even closer together. I wanted to kiss him too.

I slid my arm around his waist and turned to him. “Then do it.”

He’d taken off his sunglasses before we got out of the car, so I was able to see the spark of surprise as he looked down at me. “Are you sure? I don’t want to pressure you or—”

Taking his face in my hands, I brought our lips together.

He moaned softly and tangled his fingers in my hair, cupping the side of my head. My heart was beating in my throat, having jumped up and wedged there when our mouths touched. But I didn’t want to pull away.

It felt too incredible.

This is what I want. To live—and love—openly.

“Ready to go on that hike?” Emery asked an inch from my lips, his thumb stroking my jawline.

“In a second.” I glided my hands up his back, pressing myself as close to him as possible. I laid my head on his shoulder. His heart beat against mine, the same fast rhythm.

“We can stay here as long as you want.” His arms tightened around me, and I felt so damn safe.

I hadn’t felt safe too often in my life. I’d always been hurt by my mom’s boyfriends, chased out of the house when I couldn’t take it anymore. I’d had to grow up way too fast and be the parent after my dad left.

With Emery, I could justbe.No worries. Nothing but security and warmth.