Mom took another sip of coffee. "Well, when you were dating her, I had my reservations, but I certainly wasn't going to tell you what to do, or who to care about. Or who to marry, for that matter. But after everything went bust, there was also no point in telling you that I'd seen that coming from a mile away. I never understood why you married her."

  That was a good question. It had been more than the physical chemistry. It had been the idea that someone would love me. Just me. For me. But I'd been wrong about that. And then there was the little fact that she'd lied about being pregnant. "In some ways, it was just as much my fault as hers. I chose wrong. Very wrong. I was blinded by this idea of what I thought I wanted, that I didn't pay attention to what I needed. And she was just not a happy person. Nothing I could do was ever going to make her happy." I shrugged.

  "Well, I don't think Lexa is dating anyone."

  "Mom, let it go. I'm only twenty-three, and I have one failed marriage under my belt. I certainly don't need another one."

  She rolled her eyes. "Who said anything about marriage? All I'm saying is that Lexa is adorable, smart, quirky, and fun. And you could use some fun in your life. She's just the kind of girl to get you watching Game of Thrones, and not taking yourself nearly so seriously. And then, if something happens, great. If it doesn't go much further, then at least you had some fun. But, I don't want you to be alone. I don't want you to keep pushing people away because you think you don't deserve love, or because you think you'll somehow make them leave you."

  Her last remark hit too close to home. "I'm going to head out."

  "Of course you are." She leveled a gaze at me. "I love you, Ransom Cox. From the moment I had you, you have been the light of my life. Just because your grandfather didn't acknowledge me, just because your father left, just because it didn't work out with Callie, doesn't mean you are somehow unworthy of love. Because when you look at it, I have loved you when you didn't make yourself particularly easy to love. I have loved you when you've been adorable, pissed off and broody, sad and angry, and happy and lovable and sweet. I love you always. Who's to say that you won't find someone else who does?"

  That was the thing about my mother. She had a way of making me look at things when I didn't want to. Seeing the other side. Making me see the possibilities.

  11

  Lexa

  "I'd like to make a toast to your safety. I was so worried."

  I raised my glass and clinked it against my sister's. "I'm so sorry I made you worry. I should have just waited for you to drive me home in the truck, and spent those days with you. I just thought it wasn't that bad and I'd make it home without any problems."

  Ella grinned. "But you had a knight in shining armor. You realize you've been taciturn about what happened those days you spent with Handsome Cox. I want all the details. All the sisterly details. And make sure you draw them out."

  I blushed. "I have no details to give you. He was a gentleman. He even arranged for someone to tow my car and for me to get into town to pick it up. He's very nice. Even made me dinner." I leave out the hot sex, the laughing, and the connection part.

  Ella narrowed her eyes at me. "You holding out on me? Don't you know you're a shitty liar?"

  "I'm not lying." I was leaving out some enormous details. But lying? Never. Not to my sister.

  "So, you're telling me, nothing in the way of sexy times happened with Handsome Cox?"

  I flushed again. What the hell was I supposed to say to that? Over the last couple of days, I'd been busy putting the events of the storm behind me. I was almost done with my article. And I'd been doing a nearly decent job of not thinking about him. I managed to hold off to about once every hour. Which was great, considering that for the first couple of days, it had been once every five minutes.

  I'd catch a whiff of something like sandalwood, and immediately think of how he smelled, his scent wrapping around me. Or I'd see melted chocolate, and think of the way his voice sounded when he said my name, as he begged me to come for him. Yeah, that particular memory was the worst. Because it made me ache all over. Made me want him. But no. I wasn't going there. Not again. He was firmly in the don't think about category. Firmly. Absolutely.

  "Anything that may or may not have happened will never happen again."

  Ella raised a delicate brow. "So you're saying, allegedly, that something may or may not have happened?"

  "I'm not saying anything."

  Ella threw up her hands. "Just blink if you have, in fact, seen his dick. Inquiring minds need to know."

  I laughed. "I will tell you no such thing. None."

  "Never mind, you told me everything just now. So," my sister leaned forward. "Is he—?"

  "Hey ladies, I was just sitting over there by the bar watching the two of you talk intently, and I can only surmise you are talking about me, so I figured I'd come on over to introduce myself. See if I can buy you ladies a drink?" The guy with the dark-brown hair and light-frosted tips gelled into a messy array on his head, leaned forward and wrapped an arm around me.

  I looked down at his hand, then back at him. "Do you mind not touching me, please?"

  He didn't remove his arm. Instead, he said, "Relax, just being friendly."

  "And you can be friendly without touching me without my permission. It's called consent. Take your hands off me."

  His gaze narrowed almost imperceptibly, but he removed his arm. "Jesus, fucking relax, would you? I was trying to be nice."

  This was what I hated. I hated that his idea of trying to be nice meant encroaching on my personal space. "If I wanted you to touch me, I'd let you know. In the meantime, my sister and I are enjoying a drink on our own. We don't need your help buying drinks or anything else." I stared him down.

  Ella watched, eyes wide, her hands wrapped around her beer bottle. I knew my sister had my back. However unwisely.

  "You always such a bitch, or is that for my benefit?"

  "Always a bitch. Now, if you'll just skedaddle—"

  He glared at me and leaned forward. "Fuck you. You're not even that—"

  He didn't get to finish whatever he was going to say, because someone yanked him back so hard, he looked like a ragdoll being tossed around.

  "Back the fuck off. They don't want your attention. Matter of fact, now might be a good time for you and your crew to find somewhere else to drink tonight."

  Without turning, I knew who it was. Except his voice was always softer when speaking to me. I always thought of it as warm and fluid, but now, it was frozen, icy, menacing.

  The guy with the outdated hairdo turned. I could only presume he intended to defend himself, then he stopped short. At around six feet, he wasn't diminutive, but next to Ransom, he was woefully out-reached and out-muscled. He halted his movements and immediately stumbled back. "Dude, you're Ransom Cox."

  Ransom said nothing, just crossed his arms and inclined his head toward the door.

  The guy didn't take the hint to stop talking, though. "You know, I saw your last couple games. Man, you were fucking awesome." And then, as if it slowly dawned on him that the Ransom Cox had just pulled him off of some chick, he went pale. "Look, I didn't know she was with you. I meant no disrespect. I'm huge fan."

  Ransom inclined his head. He slid his gaze over to me and Ella before scowling at the guy. "She's not with me. But she did tell you to back the fuck off, and you thought that was an invitation to call her a bitch. I take offense to that."

  The guy stammered. "Look, I've had a lot to drink. And I was an asshole." He turned to us. "Sorry if I crowded you. My bad."

  Ransom threw a glance at his friends. "Which one of you wants the honor of dragging your boy out of here?"

  They knew what the get-the-fuck-out-of-Dodge look was. They all downed the last of their beers, tossed money on the table, and escorted their friend out of the bar.

  Ella stared. "Jesus, he looks even bigger when he's doing something like that. So fucking hot."

  "You have no idea." I murmured. My whole body flushed with heat as I remembered just exactly how big he was.

  Ransom turned his attention to us. "I think it's time for us to get out of here. I'll walk you guys out."

  I knew he was right, but it irritated me that he thought he could dictate to me.

  Ella shook her head. "I see a friend of mine over there. I'll sit with them and wait for hubby."

  I nodded. "Fair enough. I’ll text you when I get home."

  Ella stopped me. "You sure you're okay? Nothing going on here?"

  "Nothing I can't handle."

  12

  Lexa

  I didn't even look at Ransom. It was better this way. Just walk away. Do not go there again. It didn't matter what my body wanted to do. Every thought centered around him with a gravitational pull that was impossible to ignore. But I was walking away. No more bad choices.

  It appeared that Ransom had other plans. "Lexa, wait up."

  "Ransom, I don't have anything to say to you right now."

  He sighed. "I know I deserve that. But if you'll just let me explain."

  I turned to face him. "You don't have to explain anything to me. I get it. Once again, I made a huge mistake. It's fine."

  "You shouldn't be walking out here by yourself. At least let me take you home."

  I kept walking. "Funny thing about Hope, New York, is we've heard of Über before."

  "Lexa, please stop. First of all, that guy could be lurking around here with his friends. He may have backed off, but you still pissed him off. And second of all, I'm sorry. Okay? You and I both know that this is a bad idea for so many reasons. You said so yourself."

  I whirled on him. "Do you have any idea what it was like to wake up with you gone? What it feels like to be thrown away?"

  He winced. "Yeah, I have an idea or two about that."

  Sadness washed over me. No, do not let him get away with it. This is what you always do. Stand up. "Well, if you do, then you understand. It sucked. And after that morning, it really sucked. I mean, God. You're used to waking up and just leaving whatever woman is there in your bed. And unfortunately, that's a situation I'm well aware of, too. I pick the wrong kind of guys. That's not your fault. That's mine. Let's just chalk the whole thing up to getting stuck in a storm. Now, I'm going home."

  He sighed and hung his head. "Please, let me make sure you get home okay, all right? Then I'll leave you alone."

  I hesitated. "Why? Why do you want to take me home?"

  He hesitated. His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but then he flattened them into a thin line. "I just want you safe. I'm taking you home."

  "If you think—" The breath rushed out of my lungs when Ransom simply picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder. "Would you put me down? I'm not some recalcitrant child. You can't just heave me over your shoulder like a caveman."

  "And yet, here we are."

  Dammit, he wasn't even breathing hard. "Ransom, put me down."

  He complied. Abruptly.

  "Dammit, Ransom."

  "Lexa, I'm taking you home. That's it. The sooner you get in the truck, the sooner you'll be rid of me. How's that?"

  His truck was right here. And, as it was September, the nights had started to cool, and I hadn't brought a jacket. This is only for the ride home. No other reason.

  Oh, the lies we tell ourselves. No. I wasn't taking the ride because I secretly hoped something would happen. I was done with all that. Liar.

  I climbed into the passenger seat, clicked on my seatbelt, and then proceeded to resolutely ignore him.

  "You got your car okay?"

  His question was soft and gentle. The sound made my body warm and pliant. "Yes, fine. Thanks."

  We drove by the ditch, and I worked hard to suppress a shudder.

  "You okay?"

  "Yeah, fine. I just hate to think what would have happened if you hadn't come along."

  He cleared his throat. "I'd rather not think about that. Lexa, I—"

  "Ransom, I'm—"

  We spoke at once. And then he surprised me, by saying, "I haven't been able to get you out of my fucking head. Sleeping has been next to impossible. My whole room still smells like you."

  "Ransom, don't. Don't say those things to me. Because I'm the girl desperate enough to believe you when you say them."

  "What do you want from me? You want me to tell you that I felt something? Well, I did. And as for me walking away from you, you don't need a guy like me. Why can't you see that I'm trying to do the best thing for you?"

  "When did you become such a Neanderthal? One second you're defending my ability to say who touches me and when, the next, you're making decisions for me? I'm a big girl. I can determine what's good for me and what's not." And I had already determined that he was not good for me. Do not engage. But it was too late for that. It was too late before I got in the car. The moment I heard his voice in the bar, it was too late.

  "Do you understand at all, how hard it is right now? Not to fucking touch you?"

  "Well, it's hard not to be touched. That morning, I—"

  "Lexa, don't say it."

  "Don't say what?"

  "Don't say anything that reminds me of that morning, because I swear to God, you will not go home right now."

  I was in no mood to be told what to do. Not by Ransom, anyway.

  "There you go again, trying to tell me what to do. What is it you want to hear, exactly? That I've never come so hard in my life?"

  "Lexa—"

  "What, is it that what you want to hear? How good the sex was? Hell, it was great. Shoot, I could barely walk to get in the car you sent for me. Despite all that, my favorite part of the weekend was watching Game of Thrones with you. Learning about hockey. Talking to you. I felt like someone saw me."

  His car veered off the road, hanging left. Oh, shit. They were going to his house.

  That should concern me. Should make me demand he take me to my place. Back to the little cottage, where I'd make good use of my battery-operated boyfriend. So much better than getting my heart broken. But I didn't say anything. I just sat in stiff silence, with heat blooming low in my core, knowing what was about to happen next.

  He drove quickly. When I dared to slide a glance over at him, I could see the muscle in his jaw ticking. The truck roared as he sped up through the entrance of the driveway, slammed on the brakes, and threw the truck into park. Coming around to my side, he scooped me out, then placed me gently on the ground. I glared up at him defiantly. "So, we're here now, now what?"

  She could see the storm in his silver eyes. The anger in the slant of his jaw, and the desire coursing through him as he leaned towards me. As if he was trying to fight it. Yeah, good luck with that.

  "Now this." He slanted his lips over mine. His tongue harsh and demanding, seeking entry, I went willingly. Hell, I practically threw myself at him. Melting into the embrace. This was what I'd been longing for since that morning. God, why did it feel so good?

  Ransom picked me up, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. With a growl, he slammed the door of the truck shut. He carried me easily towards the house, one hand fisted in my hair, the other on my ass. The sound of his feet on the wood told me that we were on the porch, and that any second now, we would be inside. And then he would be inside of me, and I wouldn't feel so empty. So lonely. I would feel wanted.

  That was sad. Ransom didn't love me. But Ransom couldn't stay away from me, either. Any more than I could stay away from him. Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I would deploy the new plan of staying the hell away from him. But tonight, tonight I could backslide. And I wouldn't judge myself too harshly in the morning, because, goddammit…orgasms. Several of them.

  Multiple orgasms awaited me, and I was weak. Because Jesus Christ, he was Ransom Cox. And he knew exactly how to play my body.

  Ransom fumbled for the keys in his pocket, trying to shift me so he could yank them out. After the storm many of the electronics needed to be replaced. His keyless entry included.

  He cursed against my lips, apparently unable to reach them, and instead, he pressed me against the door. His tongue slid in and out of my mouth.

  With me braced against the door, my hands shifted and slid up under my top, cupping my breasts, kneading them, rolling his thumbs over my nipples. I cried out in response. I rocked my hips into him, inviting him to go exactly where he wanted to be.

  With another muttered curse, he fumbled with his belt buckle, and I reached between us to help him. This was such a bad idea on so many levels. A terrible idea. Oh, Jesus— A hot idea. So hot. I needed him inside me. Batting away his hands, I used my dexterity to remove his belt and unsnap the top of his jeans.

  With a series of wiggles, we were able to get his jeans past his hips. Then his boxers. He reached for me under my skirt, and hooked his thumb inside my thong. And then he made a fist. He pulled back and met my gaze with his, all the heat, and intensity boring into my soul. And then he flicked his wrist and the thong snapped in two as if merely a rubber band. Before I knew it, the smooth head of his cock nudged my entrance.

  "Lexa." His voice was part growl, part question, all Ransom.

  "Yes, I need you."

  He nudged the length of himself against my center and I moaned deep. All I needed was him. Him inside me, making me shake, making me want nothing else. That's what he needed. I'd think about all the consequences later. Much later. "Ransom, now, please."

  "You haven't come yet. I'll hurt you."

  "Do you feel how wet I am? You're not going to hurt me. I just need you inside me, now."

  "Jesus, fuck, Lexa. Condom."

  "I'm on the pill. Ransom, just—"

  With a muttered curse, he slid the head of his cock inside, and all the way home.

  "Shit," he muttered through clenched teeth. "So fucking good."

  I groaned. Holy hell. Had it only been days since he been inside me? I knew this was a bad idea. But I'd very deliberately, mentally walked over to the switch in my brain that governed rational thought, and clicked it off. No more thinking. Just feeling.