Page 6 of Lead Me A Stray

I’ve watched movies like this, where one character won’t shut up and the other kisses them even though it’s the least logical option. It’s ridiculous.

Absurd.

But in this moment, I get it. Isoget it because it’s not so much a conscious decision as it is an impulse, and that impulse has me holding Mack’s face in my hands as I take his mouth in a bruising kiss.

Or I try to.

It’s hard to kiss someone when they’re so stunned they’re practically frozen.

Seconds tick by and my brain is yellingmaydaywhile my body is still praying for a reaction.

And then it happens.

There’s a clank as Mack’s keys fall to the front step, and his arms wrap around me, one at my lower back, the other snaking up to the back of my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair and pulling until I gasp. When my lips part, his tongue slips into my mouth, stroking and caressing mine as he deepens the kiss, and now Idowant him to come inside.

I want his weight on top of me as his cock fills me, and I want to fall apart at his touch, bursting into a thousand little pieces as I writhe beneath him.

“Come inside.”

“What?” he asks, wrenching back, his eyes wild and his lips swollen and sexy and wet from our kiss. I can just imagine those same lips trailing over my skin and I need it.

I needhim.

“Come inside and?—”

“No. This was a mistake.”

“A mistake?” I breathe, stepping out of his embrace as I reach back, my hand fumbling against the doorknob as I try to steady myself.

“What? No. Not a mistake.”

“I heard you saythis was a mistake.”

“Yeah, but it’s not what I meant. I meant the timing was a mistake—I shouldn’t have done that.” He runs his fingers through his hair, his eyes pleading with me to understand.

And maybe part of me does but the other part isangry,the emotion taking hold and forcing me to straighten my spine as we face off.

“You didn’tdoanything. I kissed you but maybe that’s the real mistake.” He takes a step toward me but stops when I shake my head and move farther back into the doorway.

“Piper.”

Piper.

Not the nickname that I secretly like but pretend drives me crazy.

“Let’s just pretend this never happened.” He looks crestfallen but he doesn’t try to stop me as I close the door, pausing when it’s barely open a crack. “But really, please don’t tell your sister. I don’t think I can handle anyI told you so’sright now.”

Mack opens his mouth to speak, but I’ve heard enough tonight and close the door, throwing the lock before leaning back against it and wondering if it’s really for the best.

Or if this time, it’s my head that’s led me astray.

4

MACK

The ride back to my house is a long one, and I’m thankful for the air conditioning after spending all day tryin’ to get a tractor to run in the hot Texas heat.

But I wouldn’t have it any other way.