14. Val #2
I saw the way he looked at Gemma. Evan’s regrets were painful, her scars a reminder to the world that he hadn’t been able to save her from that pain.
Gemma deserved a new life. Something deep and quiet inside me whispered that Evan deserved one too.
A life where he wasn’t constantly reminded of his past. He could truly become Evan Walker and let Evan Marino die and fade into a distant memory.
My lasting presence would serve only as a constant reminder of his sister’s pain and the night that forced us together at the ranch.
But it didn’t have to be that way. I could keep it casual. Light. Use Evan to fill a need, ease the loneliness in both of us, and warm his bed for as long as it felt mutually satisfying.
I glanced around the large barn. No cameras were inside that I could see.
The security cameras around the ranch were strategically placed to watch for outsiders .
I knew there could be plenty of ways to go unnoticed, and outside of the lodge, the outbuildings and cabins were not as closely monitored.
Once the idea took root, a springy ball of excitement bubbled through me. Evan and I couldn’t do anything publicly, but what no one knew ...
“Hey, Ev.”
“Mmm.” His grumpy mood only enhanced the thrill.
I glanced around, making sure that we were alone, then waited until he paused and looked up. As soon as his eyes met mine, I lifted my shirt and bra, flashing him a millisecond glance of my breasts. A giggle shot out of me as his eyes went wide with shock.
In a heartbeat, Evan dropped his shovel and stalked toward me.
The clang of the metal on the concrete floor echoed through the barn.
I squealed in delight and took off like a shot toward the back of the building.
As I rounded a stall, Evan’s strong arms captured me around the waist, hoisting my feet from the ground as his other hand pushed open the door to an office.
I struggled and squirmed as I laughed, but then his mouth was on me, hot and needy. Desire snaked up my back, and warmth spread through my limbs. My pussy clenched in anticipation, his arms tightened around me, and his tongue licked and sucked at the base of my neck.
“Playing games, baby girl?” Evan’s voice was pure velvet over gravel. A breathy groan was all that I could muster. “If you don’t stop making noises like that, I’m going to lose my fucking mind.”
He swiveled and leaned against the empty desk, my legs straddling him. Heat pulsed through me, and a warm trickle soaked my jeans where his muscular thigh pressed between my legs.
I arched my back to get closer. “Just teasing you. Thought I’d show you what you were missing out on.”
Evan shoved his hand up my T-shirt and palmed my breast, squeezing and stroking my nipple. “I know exactly what I’ve been missing.” His jeans rubbed mine and created a delicious friction. I needed more.
Ground rules first.
“I’ve been thinking about us.” I raked my nails through his hair, and I kissed my favorite spot on his jawline.
Evan squeezed my ass and chuckled—a deep, rumbling sound. “Me too. ”
“We can’t get caught.”
“I know.” His head moved back to look me in the eyes. His blue eyes were fierce. Desire raging war against common sense.
I moved my hips against his erection. “But I want this. I need this.” He gripped my hip as I rubbed against him, and he groaned in pleasured agreement. “I don’t know how I can be here with you without this.”
“Neither do I.” Evan captured my lips with his. The kiss was searing and intense. Unspoken truths passed between us, and I knew his desire was as fierce and needy as my own.
Relief flushed through me as Evan sat back farther on the desk, gripping my hips and pressing my clit against his hard-on. I linked my fingers behind his head. “If we’re together, no one can know. Nothing serious. Temporary—until either of us leaves.”
Something on his face faltered, but his eyes moved to my lips as I licked them. He nodded once. “Just between us.”
My cheeks flushed with heat as our agreement electrified the air. I tamped down the fluttering in my rib cage as he looked at me under hooded eyes. “If we’re going to do this,” he continued, “we need to be smart about it.”
I nodded.
“During the day, it’s business as usual. Chores. Sunday supper. Just friends.”
“I can do that,” I assured with a nod and the tiniest movement of my hips.
“Nights are mine.” Evan paused as his eyes drank me in. His wide palm delicately wrapped around the column of my throat. My pulse hammered beneath it. “You,” he whispered as his head bent forward to nip my ear, “are mine. ”
The dam broke free on a cry, and I arched back farther into him. If Evan wasn’t inside me soon, I was going to die. I surged forward, pushing his back flush against the desk. Rather than give in to me, Evan gripped my ass and sat up, then stood, settling my feet on solid ground.
“Smart.” Evan’s thumb brushed the furrow from my brow as a frustrated grumble escaped my throat.
He left me to straighten myself as he peeked out the office door to make sure we were still alone and no one had come into the barn.
I pulled my wild hair into a low side ponytail to tame the strands and readjusted my bra and T-shirt.
I was hot and sticky under my tee, but no amount of fussing was going to fix that.
“We’re good,” he said, and swung the door wide, staying to the side and allowing me to exit before him.
I growled in his direction as I passed him. “Don’t make me regret this.”
He smirked and rewarded me with a swift smack on the ass when I walked by. Affections warred with my heightened desire as I found my way back to finish the morning chores.
I had better be right about this.