Page 76 of The Patron Saint of Timber Hollow

I don't miss the soft smile that spreads across her face as she carefully pulls the garment over her head. When we get downstairs, she stuffs her feet into boots while I slip my feet into sneakers.

When I open the garage door, I ask her, "Will you ride with me?"

Artemis answers after glancing at her sleek, all-black Stingray. "Sure, Cinnamon," While walking toward my Jeep, she asks, "Where are we going?"

"I told you, a store. Well,stores,I should say," I reply while opening the passenger door.

Artemis whips her head toward me as she hops into the passenger seat. "Stores?As in plural?"

"Nice catch," I grin, closing her door. Instead of walking around the back, I use the side rails to step up on the fender of the Jeep, then somersault over the hood, landing on the driver's side. Artemis' laughter greets me as I open my door.

"Where are we going, Saint?" she asks again, laughing the entire time as I climb into the driver's seat, turn the ignition, and push the garage door button simultaneously.

"Well, I need to pick up a few things at the farmers market for dinner tonight,andI believe I told you earlier I'd replace the scraps of lace you call underwear," I reply as we pull out of the garage and down the drive.

Artemis stays silent for barely three seconds before she asks, "What are you making for dinner?"

I can't help it; I laugh out loud, navigating the streets toward the town center. Jay's blue GTR passes us on the main road, staring me down as we drive in opposite directions. I give him a two-finger salute as he passes.

"What is it that youhopeI make?" I ask instead of telling her what I'd come up with just after deciding we were going out.

"Hmm," Artemis hums, tapping her finger against her chin. "Honestly, pizza and wings sound amazing." She winces when she looks at me, though, her eyebrows scrunched together in a way that makes her look adorable. She's gorgeous, always, but the way her face shows all her emotions when she lets you in is almost comical—and therefore adorable.

"Why the face?" I ask, reaching out to grip her lush thigh.

"Because I don't want you to make it, I want to order it from Delmonicosbecausethey have the best homemade ranch," She gushes, still looking comically guilty.

"Okay. So we'll get the steaks from the farmers market anyway and have them tomorrow. Then, after we go shopping, we'll order your pizza and even share it with Jay," I grin, pulling into the parking lot for the little market. It's more of a co-op since the store is open daily and supplied by local farmers. Of course, there is the larger supermarket in town, though steaks taste better when you know the cow it came from.

"You're sure?"

"Yeah, of course. I like cooking, but not having to sometimes is nice, too."

Artemis gives me a look I can only classify as bedroom eyes, with a slow tilt of her head sideways that makes my cock throb. "Whatever you say, Cinnamon."

"Come on, Tiny," I reply, getting out and offering her my hand to climb out the driver's side. The bucket seats make it easy, and I'mmorethan sure she would have been able to scramble out even if it wasn't. The girl is fuckingnimble.

"Why?" She asks, but places her hand in mine anyway, climbing out of the vehicle.

"Because if you keep looking at me like that, I'm going to fuck you like a little slut again right here in this parking lot."

A surprised gasp leaves her mouth as a deep, red flush spreads across her neck and cheeks; that circle of gold flaring around the center of her pupil makes my blood rush.

"Well, I suppose we can't have that, can we?" She asks, flicking her eyes down and back up for a heartbeat.

Grinning, I reply, "Oh, but we could. I'd spread your pussy open right here if you allowed it, Artemis," while moving, pressing her back against the side of my Jeep, wedging my leg between hers, trapping her in against the vehicle.

I saw Jay do this to her when she first arrived and then watched them fight their way into the Packhouse. I know how much it turns her on since that night outside Coyote Bills. The push and pull winds her up faster than anything else.

That golden ring flares brighter from within those big brown eyes, and my cock throbs almost painfully again when she shifts her hips.

"And what would be the first step, hypothetically speaking, of course?" Artemis asks lightly, raising her eyebrow, cool fingers slipping under the hem of my shirt.

My pulse skyrockets.

"Well," I begin, letting my hands roam to her hips and down her ass, squeezing the plump, juicy muscle. She inhales sharply when I roughly rock her against my thigh. "I did tell you not to put panties on. Did you listen, Tiny?"

Artemis gulps, her cheeks darkening to a deep pink. "What if I did?" Her tongue presses against the points of her teeth, and she shifts her hips against my thigh again,just a little.