Page 64 of Rhett

Moving forward, I pressed a quick kiss against his lips before breaking it off. I turned my back to him, my fingers trembling with emotion as I unlocked and shoved the door open.

Spinning around to face him, I asked, “Are you going to the festival tomorrow?”

He tilted his head and studied me. “Yes.”

“Well, I’ll see you there, Sheriff.”

His face dissolved into a delicious grin. “I look forward to it.”

“Good night, Rhett.”

“Good night, Nova.”

Shutting the door, I pressed my back against it, scared to death of all the feelings for Rhett rushing to the surface, making me hope for more with a man I was just getting to know.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard the loud clearing of a throat. Bonnie was sitting on the couch with a glass of milk clutched in each hand.

I strode over and took a seat next to her. “How long have you been sitting there?” I asked, accepting the glass she extended to me.

“Long enough.” She took a sip from her glass. “So ladies’ night ends with making out with Rhett on my front porch?”

My lips curled up into a smile. “Nosy much?” I gulped the cool beverage.

“I’m your grandmother. It’s my business to snoop into your business. Besides, I haven’t given you the sex talk.”

I choked out a laugh. “I’m forty. I’ve had sex before.” Not recently, but it still counted.

“But sex with a shifter is different.”

I really didn’t want to ask, but my curiosity was piqued. “How?”

“Wilder. Hotter. Kinky. Biting. And that’s just foreplay.” She grinned.

“It was only a kiss,” I replied.

“Even from spying on you through the window, I felt the sparks between you two.” She drained her glass. “He’s a good man, you know.”

I folded my legs under me. “I know.”

She eyed me. “Are you still upset with me about what I said two nights ago?”

“No. I’m not. I can admit that I got a little sensitive about what you two said. Emotions were high, and I needed time to come to terms with the rules of this crazy town.”

“Good.” She grinned and patted my thigh. “I’m relieved that we’re back on speaking terms. Now about Rhett… Is he a good kisser? Because there’s a betting pool in my wine-tasting club that says—”

I cut her off. “Stop right there. I will not gossip with my grandmother about a man I may”—I eyed her pointedly—“or may not be thinking about starting a relationship with.”

“Why not? I’ll have you know that I’m very open about sex. Shit. I can give you lots of tips about what shifter men love in bed.”

I laughed. “And that’s the end of this conversation.” I drained my glass, placing it on the coffee table. “Good night, Bonnie.” I gave her a kiss on the cheek and stood up, brushing past her.

After heading upstairs, I entered my bedroom, shutting the door behind me. Sauntering over to the window, I started to open it, then hesitated, not wanting another owl-shifter incident.

“Fuck it.” I pushed it open. “There is no way I’m living my life in fear.”

I sighed with contentment when a fresh breeze rushed into the room. The night air was heavy with a multitude of noises, and I heard them all with my heightened senses.

Sounds saturated the room around me—insects buzzed, frogs croaked, mammals scuttled. Even the trees seemed to pulsate with sound as the din ricocheted off the high canopy and cascaded back to earth on a tidal wave of noise. Every muscle in my body tightened as primal instincts rose to the surface within me.