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“I still can’t believe you paid three hundred dollars for that.” I nod to the stuffed dinosaur under Jensen’s arm.

“It’s not my fault the attendant swindled me,” he grunts. “Hell, the kid probably pocketed the money for himself.”

“Caleb’s going to be so excited.”

“Worth every penny.” Jensen grins. “Even if we totally got hustled.”

When we reach the truck, he opens the passenger door and helps me in with a hand at my waist.

“Thank you,” I murmur.

He gives me a quick kiss. “Anytime, sweetheart.” The way his deep, smooth voice says those words has me weak at the knees.

He hands me the giant dinosaur, then closes the door and jogs around to the driver’s side. I place the stuffed animal in the middle seat and pull out a tube of lip balm from my pocket. My mouth still tingles from his kiss, the warmth lingering.

I’ve just finished applying it when I feel Jensen watching me. He cranes his neck around the dinosaur, eyes fixed on my lips .

“Want some?” I ask, holding the balm out with a smirk.

He blinks, giving me a sheepish smile. “Why is there a giant stuffed animal playing third wheel?” He gives the thing a playful shove.

I laugh as he tosses the dinosaur into the back seat and pats the spot beside him. I slide over, and his hand finds my leg, tugging me in until I’m snug against his side.

He dips his head, kissing me softly. “That’s more like it.”

“Somebody’s possessive tonight,” I tease.

“You have no idea what you do to me,” he whispers, giving me another kiss. “I can still hear every breathy sound of yours as you rode my hand.”

I flick my tongue along his mouth. “Whatever will you do about it?”

He groans. “Once we get home, I’m going to show you all the ways I can make you come.”

A spike of anticipation pulses through me when the engine rumbles to life and his hand moves to my upper thigh.

As the truck hums along the old country road, we settle into a comfortable silence. His presence is electric, like whiskey running through my veins—warm, smooth, and dangerously addictive. When I’m with him, it’s easy to forget that this has an expiration date and I’m not supposed to get attached.

Jensen drums his fingers on the steering wheel, humming along to the country song on the radio. I take a moment to study him—the scruff framing his face, his bronzed skin, the subtle crow’s feet around his eyes, hinting at a summer full of laughter and smiles.

When he first returned to Bluebell, his small-town roots were buried beneath a big-city mindset. But now, he seems more at peace in his Wranglers and boots than he ever did in a suit and tie, and I can’t help but wish this version of him was here to stay.

My muscles tighten as he moves his hand in lazy strokes against my thigh, reminding me of our moment on the Ferris wheel—his mouth claiming mine, and his fingers pressing inside me as I came apart beneath his touch. I bite the inside of my cheek, willing my breathing to stay even.

Jensen glances over at me. “You’re awfully quiet.”

I nod, playing it cool. “Mm-hmm. Just taking in the view.” I motion toward the sky full of stars I hadn’t noticed until now.

“That so?” he replies coyly.

I gasp when his fingers slip beneath the hem of my skirt, his knuckles grazing the inside of my thigh.

All I want is for him to move his hand up a few inches.

My panties are still in his shirt pocket, and the only thing between me and another release is his refusal to move higher.

Unfortunately, his touch is featherlight—maddening in its restraint.

Jensen knows it’s not enough to satisfy me, but it’s more than enough to set fire to my skin.

Two can play this game.

I slide my hand across his lap, his grip tightening on the steering wheel when I graze over the thick bulge pressing against his jeans. A low groan slips from his throat when I add pressure, circling the outline.

“Briar, what are you doing?” Jensen’s voice is hoarse.

“Call it retaliation for all your teasing,” I say sweetly, feigning innocence.

His eyes darken as he glances at me. “You’re going to pay for that, darlin’.”

“Promises, promises.”

At this rate, the rest of the ride home will be one big test of restraint for us both.

By the time we reach the cottage, my body is a live wire, every nerve strung tight.

Jensen’s hand hasn’t left my thigh, and if he doesn’t give me more soon, I might combust. Who knew edging with clothes on could be so erotic?

It’s a mix of sweet torture and desperate want.

The inevitable crash after weeks of wanting him—close enough to touch but just beyond reach in all the ways that mattered.

The engine cuts off, and I exhale slowly, protesting when he lifts his hand from my thigh.

“Don’t move,” he says.

I open my mouth to respond, but he’s already getting out and jogging around to my side. He flings open the passenger door and reaches forward, carefully sliding me across the seat until I’m on the edge, my legs dangling out of the truck.

Jensen slides his arms around my waist, pulling me against him as he dips his head, kissing me with an urgency that matches my own.

I swipe my tongue along his bottom lip, and his groan vibrates through me, low and desperate.

He deepens the kiss, his hands sliding down my back as I weave my hands into his hair, tugging him closer, unable to get enough.

I’m lost in him, every part of me yearning for more, and I’m powerless to resist. Not that I’d want to, even if I could.

I flick my tongue against his, and he lets out a low groan.

“God, the things I want to do to this mouth.” He grabs my hand, guiding it down to his jeans, where his hard-on is visible and pressing against the fabric.

I trace the outline with my fingertips, relishing Jensen’s shudder beneath my touch.

“You’re the one taking your sweet time getting me to the bedroom,” I murmur, my tone sultry.

Maybe teasing him isn’t the best idea when my impending orgasm is at his mercy, but I want him to experience a fraction of the delicious torment I endured on the Ferris wheel and way home.

But I need him now .

As if he can read my mind, he bends down and effortlessly hoists me over his shoulder. My hands shoot out to grip his waist, my fingers curling around the belt loops on the back of his jeans to steady myself.

I gasp. “Jensen Harding, put me down this instant.”

He swats me playfully on the ass. “Behave, woman.”

A moan catches in my throat as I arch my neck to look at him. “Did you really just spank me?”

“Sure did, and I’ll do it again if you don’t stop squirming.” His voice rumbles, sending a thrill through me.

Jensen slams the truck door shut and carries me up the porch steps.

Once inside, he heads straight for the stairs, his boots scraping against the wood floors as he moves without breaking stride.

When he reaches my bedroom, he heads straight for the bed, tosses me onto the mattress, and I bounce against the soft surface.

God, the sheer force of his confidence is ridiculously sexy. I’ve always wanted a man who’s not afraid to take control, and all I want is for him to fuck me right this instant.

“Take your clothes off. I want to look at you,” he says, the intensity of his gaze pinning me in place. “ All of you.”

I shift to the edge of the bed, kicking off my boots and slipping off my socks, letting them drop to the floor. Next, I unbutton my top slowly, and when the lace trim of my red bra comes into view, Jensen inhales sharply.

Wearing lingerie is a small indulgence I reserve for myself. After long, sweaty days in the sun, slipping into silk and lace helps me feel human again. Jensen being here to admire my effort tonight is a bonus.

I reach for the hem of my skirt, but he steps forward, covering my hand with his.

“Let me.”

He lifts me to my feet, his hand resting on my waist as he slowly drags the fabric down. His finger grazes my leg as the material slides past, and I gasp when he gets on his knees. He raises his eyes to meet mine, his pupils blown wide.

“You’re so damn sexy. It should be criminal for you to go without panties.”

I quirk a brow. “You mean the ones you confiscated?”

“Guilty as charged.”

The air between us crackles with tension as he tightens his grip on my legs. His fingers brand my skin as heat shoots through me, settling low in my belly.

“Take your bra off, baby,” Jensen orders.

I swallow hard, my lips parting slightly as I reach around to unfasten the clasp. The straps fall from my shoulders, cool air brushing against my nipples as I toss my bra to the floor.

Jensen gazes up at me as he leans forward, kissing my stomach. “You’re so fucking pretty,” he praises me.

“And you’re still dressed,” I say with a pout.

I’m trembling with need, my body strung tight. Only his touch can ease the ache between my thighs, and all I want is to peel off his clothes and finally see what I’ve fantasized about more times than I can count.

He stands to his full height, his voice low and rough. “Go lie on the bed, darlin’. Since you had to be quiet on the Ferris wheel, I plan to make you scream now.”

I shoot him a playful scowl before turning around, letting out a squeak when he gives my ass another light smack.

“Twice in one night? I think you have a developing obsession.”

“Can you blame me? That ass is a masterpiece.” His reply sends a spark flickering through me.

I climb onto the bed and lie on my back like he told me to.

When I tilt my head toward Jensen, he’s already stripping out of his clothes.

His shirt strains across his shoulders as he yanks it off and tosses it to the ground.

The flex of his abs as he moves is enough to steal the air from my lungs.

It should be a crime how hot he is, and I’m the lucky one he’s staring at like he’s ready to devour me.