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The kiss begins gently—almost sweetly His lips are soft, and he takes his tiainst mine

Maybe I’nites a short fuse because, before I know it, his tongue is parting my lips

I sag against his body, ainst my back and hold me in place

My aret to know each other in this new, intimate way

Dane is unrushed, co-lit trees

He kisses me softly Then as if he’s starved for my attention, he kisses me tentatively And then as if he’s done it a thousand ti for air And even still, we don’t want to stop

His fingers run along the waistband of ainst my skin

As the band switches songs again, Dane finally breaks contact, dragging o He then rests his forehead against mine

I drag in long breaths of air Myfor ain

“How hungry are you?” he asks, his voice full of the sah me

I look at hiry for what?”

He chuckles, the sound co from a spot low in his throat “I know a place …”

I give myself one second to rethink this

It only takes a half of one

“Then why are we still standing here?” I ask

He takeslot

Eight

Kaylee

A ripple of urgency settles around us as we pull out of the parking lot of The Tipsy Coant to ask him about the meal we paid for but don’t dare mention it I’m not about to distract or redirect his attention elsewhere

If it’s an issue later, I’ll pay him back for my half

The sky is cloudless as Dane pulls out onto the street and then takes an iht-hand turn

I grip the ar with a shot of adrenaline at what’s to come

What is to come?

Me, hopefully

The truck engine roars as he steps on the gas, and we make our way up Rancher Lane Just before I can ask where we are going, he flips on the turn signal We pull into Pheasant Field Bed & Breakfast

My stomach flip-flops