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Piper

I’m halfway convinced my laptop is plotting my downfall. The screen glows at me like it’s shouting, Look at what you’ve done.

And, well, I deserve it.

Because there it is: the scandalous piece I posted about Jake—light on real names, heavy on scathing hints. Anyone in this town with half a brain could connect the dots. If he read it… Game over.

My stomach does a backflip. Sponsor pressure is a beast, but so is guilt, and right now guilt’s got the upper hand.

He’d be furious if he knew I basically gift-wrapped ammunition for Davidson.

The thought alone makes me queasy, but hey, I needed the money. Doesn’t change the fact that I’m acting like a grade-A jerk.

A sharp knock on the Airbnb’s door nearly stops my heart. The last time I checked, Maddie was out scoring groceries, so that leaves… exactly one prime suspect. My pulse rockets to DEFCON 1. Jake. Great.

Nothing says “casual afternoon” like having your potential boyfriend (fake? real? who even knows anymore) show up unannounced when you’re knee-deep in guilty regrets.

I hustle to the door, trying to arrange my face into something resembling calm. The second I see him, though, my composure cracks. He’s standing there, arms folded over that annoyingly broad chest, wearing an expression that says You have five seconds to explain before I pop a blood vessel. Good times.

“Hey,” I squeak, cringing at how guilty I sound.

He just quirks a brow. “Mind if I come in?”

“Sure.” I step aside, giving him a wide berth.

Jake crosses into the living room, instantly zeroing in on my laptop. Thank heavens it’s closed, but I’m positive the shame is written all over my face. I scramble for a distraction, but he’s not giving me an inch.

“Everything okay?” I ask, fighting to keep my voice neutral.

“Not really.” His tone is clipped. “You ghosted my texts yesterday. And you’ve been dodging me since… well, since I can’t remember when.”

I swallow, my throat suddenly desert-dry. “I’ve just been… busy.”

“Uh-huh.” He levels me with that laser stare. “Try again. I know you, Piper. Something’s up.”

You don’t know the half of it. My stomach clenches, but the last thing I want is a meltdown confession. Desperate, I move in close, pressing my palms to his chest. Sure, it’s manipulative, but I’m out of better ideas.

“Jake,” I whisper, sliding my hands up to his shoulders. “Sometimes talking about stuff makes it worse. Can’t we just… not talk for a second?”

His expression flickers with concern. Yeah, big guy, you should worry. But I feel his body respond—tension rippling under my fingertips. He’s never been one to resist me, and I guess that’s a relief.

“Piper…” he starts, voice low, but I shut him up with a kiss that’s way too hungry for polite company. A muffled groan rumbles in his throat. Then his arms snake around me, pulling me flush against him, and I’m immediately in over my head.

He backs me into the couch, bracing a hand on the armrest, effectively trapping me. Normally, I’d crack some joke about being pinned like this, but right now my mind’s all static.

“Is this really what you want?” he rasps, breath warm against my lips.

My heart’s slamming so hard it might break a rib. “Yes,” I lie—or maybe not. Because I do want him. I just can’t handle the fallout.

Jake lets out a soft, frustrated growl, then kisses me again, deeper, more possessive. The raw edge to his touch gives me shivers. He’s worried—he should be—but I can’t stop grabbing him like a lifeline. Because in this moment, I’d do anything to forget the mess I’ve made.

He rips his mouth from mine and stares down at me, breath ragged, pupils blown wide. “You really sure this is what you want?”

I nod, but it’s not enough.

“Say it,” he growls.

“I want you, Jake,” I breathe, gripping his shirt like a lifeline. “I need you.”

That’s all he needs. He kisses me again, harder, devouring me with a roughness that says we’re past pretending now. Then he spins me around and pushes me chest-first over the back of the couch. My hands scramble for purchase against the cushions as his body cages mine from behind, the heat of him all-consuming.

One arm wraps tight around my waist, keeping me pinned. The other slips beneath my shirt, dragging it up until it’s bunched under my arms.

“You really want to forget everything right now?” he rasps, his mouth at my ear. “All of it?”

“Yes,” I whisper.

He groans, low and dangerous, like the only thing keeping him tethered is how much he wants this to be good for me. Then his hand slides down, yanking my shorts and panties down in one motion. Cool air rushes against my bare skin. I hear him inhale sharply behind me.

“Fuck. Look at this pussy,” he mutters. “So wet and ready for me.”

His fingers slide between my thighs, stroking my slick folds, teasing my clit in slow, torturous circles. I moan, hips bucking back against him. My body’s already on fire, every nerve ending strung tight.

“You’ve been aching for it, haven’t you?” he says. “Grinding on your pillow thinking about my cock?”

I whimper, nodding helplessly.

He slides two fingers inside me—thick, rough, slow—and my pussy clamps down on them instantly. He fucks me with his hand, steady and unrelenting, his palm slapping gently against my clit with every thrust. My moans grow louder, needier, echoing in the quiet Airbnb living room.

Then he pulls his fingers out and brings them to my mouth. “Taste yourself,” he orders, voice dark and dirty.

I open, obedient. He pushes his fingers past my lips, and I suck, tasting my own arousal, tasting how badly I want this. His eyes burn into me.

“Good girl,” he breathes.

He steps back and shoves down his jeans. I hear the snap of elastic, the crinkle of foil. Then the blunt head of his cock is pressed against my entrance, thick and hot and unyielding.

“Beg me,” he says, teasing me with the tip, barely pushing in.

“Please,” I gasp. “I need your cock, Jake. I need it so bad.”

His hands grip my hips hard. “That’s better.”

He thrusts in, hard and deep, filling me in one sharp motion that has my back arching and a cry ripping from my throat. My pussy clenches around him, fluttering from the sudden invasion.

“Jesus Christ,” he groans. “This pussy… tight and fucking perfect.”

He sets a punishing rhythm, dragging out almost all the way, then slamming back in so deep I see stars. Each thrust is a reminder: I’m his, at least for now. That all the distance we tried to keep is gone, burned away by raw hunger.

My breasts bounce with every stroke. I reach down to brace myself, but Jake doesn’t give me a second to adjust. His hand snakes around and finds my clit again, rubbing hard, relentless circles.

“Come on, baby,” he growls. “Show me how you fall apart.”

I shatter around him—screaming, sobbing, body clenching down on his cock as my orgasm tears through me. My legs nearly give out, but he catches me, pulls me upright against his chest.

Still inside me.

Still hard.

“Not done,” he whispers at my ear. “I’m not done with you.”

He walks us backward toward the wall, and suddenly I’m face-first against it, his hand between my shoulders, keeping me in place. His cock slips out for only a moment before he guides me lower.

“On your knees.”

I sink to the floor, legs shaking. He fists his cock and strokes it once, then guides it to my lips. I open willingly, taking him into my mouth, tasting the mix of him and me.

He groans deep, threading his fingers into my hair. “God, Piper…”

I suck him slow and deep, tongue flicking over the tip, hollowing my cheeks just to hear him groan. His hips start to rock, his rhythm ragged, like he’s barely holding on.

He pulls out before he can lose control.

“Back on the couch,” he commands, voice like gravel.

I scramble up, climbing onto all fours over the cushions. I glance over my shoulder just as he kneels behind me, dragging my hips back until my ass is flush against his thighs.

Then he’s inside me again, fucking me hard and deep from behind, one hand gripping my hair, the other slapping against my ass, sending a jolt straight to my core.

“You love this,” he pants. “My cock buried in your pussy. You love getting fucked like this.”

“Yes,” I cry, desperate and raw. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”

He leans over me, his chest to my back. His teeth graze my shoulder as his hand reaches around and circles my clit again, pushing me toward another release.

“I’m gonna come,” I sob. “Jake—I’m—”

“Let go,” he growls. “Come for me again.”

And I do.

I break apart, everything going white-hot and pulsing. My pussy clamps around him, milking his cock, and a second later, he groans—loud and unrestrained—and slams deep inside, pulsing hard as he comes with me.

He collapses over me, both of us breathless, tangled, fucked-out.

Minutes pass in silence except for our ragged breathing. He finally pulls out, kissing the sweat-damp skin at my shoulder, and helps me settle back onto the couch.

He pulls a throw blanket over us both, cradling me against his chest. His hand strokes softly over my side, grounding me.

“You okay?” he murmurs.

I nod, heart still racing. “Better than okay.”

He kisses the crown of my head.

“Then don’t run from me, Piper,” he says quietly. “Not after this.”

And I don’t answer.

Because the truth? I already ran. And I’m not sure if he’ll forgive me when he finds out how far.

***

Afterward, I’m sprawled on the couch, breathing like I’ve run a marathon. Jake’s arm drapes over my waist, face buried in the crook of my neck. I’d almost call it sweet, if not for the panic swirling beneath my skin. Seriously, Piper, get it together.

Eventually, he props himself up, gazing down at me with troubled eyes. He tucks a stray piece of hair behind my ear, and the tenderness makes my chest tight. “That was… intense,” he says softly. “But it doesn’t fix whatever’s eating you alive.”

An uncomfortable laugh bubbles in my throat. “I know. I’m a big fan of avoidance, apparently.”

Jake’s brow furrows. “Want to talk? Because I’m right here, despite your best efforts to freeze me out.”

A pang of regret shoots through me. “It’s… money stuff,” I hedge. “My blog, sponsors pulling out. I’m juggling a million things and none of them are paying off quite yet.”

He sighs, brushing his knuckles over my cheek. “I’d help you in a heartbeat. You know that, right?”

That strangled laugh escapes again. “You can’t fix my entire life, big guy.”

Jake looks like he wants to argue, but my phone buzzes, and it’s enough of a distraction for both of us. I scramble upright, yanking a throw blanket around me. If it’s my sponsor demanding more scandal, I’m going to puke. But it’s a text from Maddie:

Weird noises near the ranch fence. Emma says the cattle are spooked. You might wanna check Jake’s place ASAP.

My stomach clenches. “It’s Maddie,” I announce, turning my phone so he can see. “Something about your ranch.”

Jake’s entire demeanor shifts to high alert.

“We need to go. Now.”