“Wes? You in here, man?”
Just like that, our bubble evaporates and returns me to the here and now. My fire is now contained and doused. My mind races with reasons why I need to stop this. I don’t want some summer fling, but I’m not so sure that I can’t resist whatever this is either. I’m aware that we’ve been flirting like crazy, and I’d be a damn fool to say that I don’t like it, because I do. But the damn butterflies have now multiplied and are wreaking havoc on my stomach.
Before I have the chance to say anything, Wes interrupts my thoughts. “I know what you’re thinking, but you’re wrong. I’m not that guy who, when the summer is over, will just up and walk away. If there’s one thing you will learn about me, I’m a very persistent man. I wasn’t raised to be a quitter. And just so you know, this,” he says, ghosting his hand between us and our compromising situation, “was just a preview.” His low, deep, husky tone rolls over me, sending currents of electricity straight to my core, awakening a need so strong that if I don’t put some distance between us right now, I may combust.
A chill rushes over me when Wes pushes up and steps away from me. I look at his hand extended out for me to take. My eyes move between his hand and him. Wes’ words swirl around me, making me dizzy. I like him. I know that we share some type of connection. Whether it’s purely physical or something deeper is yet to be determined. Something in me pulls me to him, though. I don’t know what it is, but I know I want to find out. I know that when I place my hand in his, I’m silently letting him know that whatever is going on between us, I’m okay with it.
The soft, smooth skin of my hand meets his warm, strong, calloused one. Within an instant, my body comes to life when I collide with the hardened muscles of his chest and stomach. “I was hoping you’d come to me.” Wes tucks a lock of hair behind my ear with an easy smile.
“We don’t even know each other,” I whisper, casting my eyes down at the floor because I know if I look in his eyes, I will not be able to say what I need to say. I know I’ve changed the subject, but I want to be honest with him.
With my hand still in his, Wes’ free arm wraps around my waist as he squeezes me tighter to him. “You may not know me, but I told you before, and I’ll tell you again, I’ve heard a lot about you, and I intend to get to know you better.”
“It’s only been a day and a half, Wes. You may have heard about me, but you don’t know me.” I lift my eyes to search his, hoping he can see some reason behind what I’m saying to him.
“What are you scared of, Kenleigh?” His voice is soft while his eyes search mine.
“Honestly? You already called me out on it earlier. I’m not scared. I’m terrified. I know we share some kind of connection. I don’t want to get attached to you, only to have you ripped away from me. What happens when the summer ends, huh? I go back to San Antonio, you go back to Dallas, and that’s that. We go on with our lives. I don’t want to be the real life version of some damn Nicholas Sparks’ book.”
“Did you just compare us to some book?” he asks with a chuckle.
The corner of my lips tugs into a grin, as I try to hold back my own bit of laughter. “Shut up.” I slap his arm playfully. “You know what I mean.”
“I do. But listen, we are Kenleigh and Wes, no one else. Let me take you on the ride of your life. I don’t know what will happen at the end of the summer. Nobody does. But I can promise you this, our ride will last longer than eight seconds, and I’ll be the one hanging on for dear life,” he whispers as his face closes in on mine. I turn into his smooth shaven skin as the tip of his nose caresses my cheekbone.
“Let me think about it,” I whisper, my eyes closing when soft, full lips kiss the shell of my ear.
“I’ll be waiting,” he murmurs in that deep, husky tone that makes me weak in the knees.
“Dude, I know you’re in here!” The man from below shouts again.
“Who is that?”
“Brantley. Can’t you tell?”
“Well, as you know, we were in the middle of something when he came in here shouting.” I nod my head in the direction of the bale of hay we just vacated.
“That’s good to know that I make you forget other people, especially men.” There’s a playful gleam in his eye.
“Don’t go getting a big head. It’s hard to think when a big, sweaty guy is on top of me, trying to ravish my face.”
“Big, huh?” he asks.
“Whatever. You should see what he needs.” I wiggle out of his hold.