Page 35 of Ridin' Free

I nodded, frowning as I added, “I don’t want them in my house. I don’t want them anywhere near me.”

“Understood. Brothers and I will handle it.”

I believed him, and it was as liberating as it was foreign. I wasn’t sure what to say or how I felt. People didn’t usually go out of their way to help me. Not like this. I knew the Stallions to be good men, but they were the kind to mind their own business.

Apparently, this one seemed to want to mind mine, too.

“I, uh—I have to go back to work.”

He didn’t move to let me go but studied me a moment before he asked, “You sure you’re okay?”

I wasn’t sure of anything other than the fact that it was Saturday. The lineup of bands that night guaranteed a crowd, and behind the bar was exactly where I wanted to be. I needed the distraction. I needed the noise to drown out the devil within, taunting me with the threat of unlocking doors and setting free memories I didn’t have any interest in revisiting.

“I’m fine,” I told him. “Other than the fact that you don’t seem to want to let me go.”

Smirking, he replied, “I’ll let you go. Didn’t you hear? I’ve got riff raff to deal with—but there’s somethin’ I gotta do, first.”

He hesitated for a split second, and then his mouth was against mine.

I parted my lips in a startled gasp, but I didn’t pull away.

For reasons that felt obvious, this kiss felt like the right thing to do.

He’d earned my gratitude.

Only, the moment his tongue found mine, it wasn’t gratitude I felt.

It was far more dangerous than that.

Twister tilted his head as he grabbed hold of the back of mine, positioning himself to kiss me deeper. It was as if he’d struck a match, igniting a desire that burned in the pit of my belly. I knew I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help it. I reached up and buried my fingers in his hair, holding on as I leaned in closer and indulged in him.

He groaned, and I swear I couldtasteit.

It was salty-sweet, and I wanted more.

We went at each other with a hunger so raw, I could feel my lips beginning to swell—but I didn’t want to stop.Fuck—I didn’t want to stop, and every part of my body knew it.

When my phone began to ring from my back pocket, we both felt it vibrate, and we broke apart with a start, as if neither of us had meant to get so lost.

While my phone continued to ring, we sat unmoving, both of us trying to catch our breath as my green eyes stared into his brown ones. Finally, having recovered faster than me, Twister plucked my phone from my back pocket and held it between us. The call dropped into my voicemail before I could reach for the device, but not before we saw who was calling.

Georgia.

“Guess that’s my cue.” Twister smacked one last kiss against my lips then tapped the side of my thigh.

I didn’t need further prompting. I grabbed my phone, maneuvered my way off of his lap, and we both rose to take our leave.

“Just got two questions for you, baby.”

I reached up and tightened my ponytail, still trying to gather myself as I replied, “Um, okay.”

“Where are they comin’ from? What state?”

“Colorado. South of Denver, in the Springs.”

“Copy that.”

“And the second?” I asked when he didn’t continue speaking right away.