Chapter 2
Danny
Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine.
The mantra pulses to the rhythm of my heartbeat as I lead Addy and Paige on the hike.
Externally, I'm smiling and acting like my entire world didn't just flip upside down the second Addy walked through the door of the coffee shop. Internally, a beast scratches and claws at my chest, begging me to throw her over my shoulder and claim my prize.
I don’t like to date. And I never date tourists. But the second Addy looked at me through her long dark lashes, all luscious curves and a smile that lit up the room, I was a goner.
The breeze blows her scent toward my nose like in the cartoons, an intoxicating mix of cherries and clean laundry. She’s my fantasy woman come true. I harden uncomfortably in my pants as I imagine gripping her rounded hips as she rides me. Not the best scenario for a hike, even an easy one. I pull my backpack in front of my crotch every time we stop, which is often because Addy's sister is wearing freaking flip-flops.
The crunch of shifting dirt nudges me from my thoughts as Paige slips again.
"Danny, is this the easy trail?" she asks for the millionth time.
I notice she’s limping, so I stop and subtly adjust myself before turning to face them. "Yeah. Flip-flops weren’t on the list of approved footwear I sent you, Paige."
Addy's head swivels toward Paige. She braces her hands on her hips and glares at her sister.
Paige ignores her. "I'm fine."
As quiet as Addy is, Paige makes up for it. She’s a chatterbox, so I'm learning a lot. Most importantly, I’ve discovered that Addy loves steamy romance books—a revelation that had her blushing adorably and me wondering which ones were her favorites. Based on Paige's hints, I'm guessing she likes them extra dirty with a side of smut. I've snagged one or two to read with coffee at Miranda's shop, so I have some ideas for making her fantasies come true.
I also got an earful about the ass-hat ex-boyfriend Connor (I confirmed he was her ex at least four times), and we all agreed he sucks. The thought of that douche-canoe touching Addy makes me want to murder him.
Mine. Mine. Mine.
"Let's take a quick break. The overlook is only about fifty yards ahead." I put my pack down near a tree and lean against the rough bark, pulling my hat from my head and casually holding it at crotch height.
Addy walks over to a small clearing by the side of the trail. I watch as she pulls a rubber band from her pocket and piles her long, dark hair on top of her head. Her neck glistens as she plucks her shirt away from her body to fan herself.
She must think I'm a creep, but I can't stop staring at her. Her skin is so smooth. I want to use my tongue to see if it's as soft as it looks. My cock jumps to attention again as Addy bends to stretch her hamstrings. Her shirt gapes, revealing her ample cleavage. The tops of her breasts are like soft pillows, begging me to bury my face between them.
I look away quickly and attempt to summon sad, unsexy thoughts, but the blood flow south has dulled my brain. All I can think about is touching her sweet body until she screams my name.
Down boy. Let's not scare her.
Paige hobbles over to a boulder and sits. "Why don't you guys go ahead, and I'll wait for you here."
Addy glances at her sister and bites her lip. "We can head back if you’re struggling, Paige."
Panic hits me like a freight train at the thought of my time being cut short with Addy.
Paige waves her off. "Go on ahead and take a picture for me. You can say I told you so when we get back to the hotel room."
"You're staying in town tonight?" I try to sound casual, but I hear the hope in my voice. Fuck it. Playing it cool is not worth it if Addy slips away and I never see her again. I give Addy my best smile. "Just one night, or are you open to staying longer?"
Addy bites her lip to hide her smile.
"Yep." Paige pops the "p" and wiggles her eyebrows at me. "Just one night. And I won't be any fun this evening, so Addy could use some company."
Rolling her eyes, Addy bends to kiss her sister's forehead, and I get a good look at her delicious ass in those tight leggings.
Mine. Mine. Mine.
Addy blushes again when she turns and catches me staring. She brushes past me to get back on the trail, and I fight the temptation to wrap my hand around her arm and pull her in for a kiss. I watch her walk ahead before turning to salute Paige.
She grins at me. "Go get her, tiger. But don't you go falling in love." She wags her finger at me in warning.
Too late.
I catch up with Addy, and we lose sight of Paige when we reach a turn on the trail.
"You can take pictures up ahead. Or I can take some of you for your socials."
Addy laughs. "I don't do much on social media."
I almost come in my pants as her sweet laughter washes over me. "No?" I've lived in Duhring Park my whole life, and the spotty reception caused by the dense trees is one of the main perks. "Your phone notifications say otherwise." I nod at her phone as it dings again.
She looks at me with her big brown eyes and an irritated furrow on her brow. "That's Connor."
I grind my teeth at the mention of his name. "What does he want?" My question is sharper than I intended.
Addy looks at me curiously for a moment, then shrugs. "I worked for his dad, and I was good—no, great—at my job. I don't think it's going well without me. And Connor is a waste of space," she says with a sad half-smile.
I bite my tongue to stop myself from demanding his address. I'm sure I can track him down. Connor Ass-Hat, who works for his dad, can't be too hard to find. Maybe I'll get my friend Levi to help me. He's good with computers, and I happen to know he’s kept tabs on a certain someone for years.
"Wow," Addy breathes as we reach the overlook. The ridge stretches before us, dotted with the spikes of trees. The earthy browns, vibrant reds, and bright greens of the valley are a beautiful contrast to the clear blue sky. Not a cloud in sight. A small river slices through the bottom of the valley, where a deer drinks at the water's edge.
This is home to me. Always has been. But the thought of Addy leaving makes me want to follow her to wherever she calls home.
"Thank you for taking us today. I honestly thought hiking would be deeper into the mountain, off the beaten track." She turns to me with a huge grin, and seeing her against my favorite landscape makes me want to drop to one knee and propose.
I clear my throat, "Uh, it is typically. I already refunded Paige's money because I couldn’t take you guys on a hike without proper gear."
"Seriously, Danny? We should have canceled. We wasted your afternoon, and now you're not even getting paid?"
Addy looks so distraught that I reach out and cup her cheek on instinct. I've never felt anything so soft. "An afternoon with you is not a waste, Addy." I move closer, rubbing my thumb along her plump bottom lip.
"Do you say that to all the girls, Danny?"
"No."
"Do you say that to all the girls?"
"No." I turn so my body is pressed to her front and walk her backward to a tree next to the wall of the overlook.
Addy searches my face, a range of emotions flitting across her eyes, but she doesn't stop me. As her back hits the tree, her breaths come faster.
I groan as her breasts rise against my chest. "Addy, I need to kiss you. Can I—"
She cuts me off, pulling my head toward her.
All sense of reason disappears the second our lips meet. We become a frenzy of body parts grinding and seeking friction against one another. Her tongue swirls with mine, and I groan as I press my hardening cock against her stomach, desperate for relief. My hands land on her waist and move up her body. She grabs one of my hands and places it on her breast, giving me permission to explore.
I squeeze lightly, testing her responsiveness by rubbing my thumb over her nipple. Her moan is the sexiest sound I've ever heard. I kiss her neck, trailing my lips from her ear to her collarbone, eliciting another soft gasp. Her hands are under my shirt, running over my abs to grip the top of my pants.
Lowering my head, I suck her nipple into my mouth through her shirt, grazing it with my teeth.
Addy shoots to her tiptoes. "Oh god, Danny!"
Pulling back, I look into her eyes. "Addy, I’m going to make you scream my name like that all night."
I kiss her hard, pulling her fully against my body so she can feel how much she affects me. She kisses me back, moaning as I move my mouth to her breasts again, giving them the attention they deserve.
We both freeze as we hear voices coming up the trail to the overlook.
Her dark brown eyes lock with mine as we suddenly remember we’re in public.
"Oh my god, what was I thinking?" Addy gives me a frantic little push.
I quickly straighten her clothes, turning her toward the valley as the group rounds the corner and comes into view.
"Addy," I whisper into her ear, pulling her back against my front as the group chatters over to the lookout point. "I need you to stay in front of me for a minute until we turn. I don't want to get in trouble for public indecency."
Even the tips of her ears blush as she lets out a shocked, husky laugh. "I'm buying you dinner to make up for the hike, so I need you out of jail and available tonight."
"I'm buying you dinner," I say as we turn and head back to where Paige is waiting.
And then I’m buying you a ring, I add silently.