The Penalty Box - Teagan Kade Page 0,12

says, getting out. “You’re going to love this.”

It’s quite the set-up out here in the middle of the forest. There’s a makeshift stage with a band playing folky rock, tables and chairs set up around the perimeter, a literal pyramid of kegs by one tree. There’s got to be a two hundred or more people here.

“How did you find out about this?” I ask Nolan as we walk towards the area where people are dancing and moving to the music.

“Don’t know if you noticed, but my last name is King,” he replies, speaking loud to be heard over the music. “We know everything that goes on in this town.”

We find a space in the middle of the crowd, Nolan coming behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist as we sway to the music. It’s like a dream, like I’ve slipped and fallen right into a romance novel. Vi Keeland couldn’t write this shit any better.

Nolan leaves, returns with what I thought was beer but turns out to be some magic mulled apple concoction that’s got chili and cinnamon and tastes better than anything I’ve put in my mouth to date—the former inclusive.

Everyone’s enjoying themselves and having a great time. Even the band’s getting into it, boot-stompin’ up there on the stage and belting out song after song with vigor.

“So, what do you think?” Nolan asks, finding us a table away from the crowd where we can talk without having a shouting match.

“I think I like this better than that pretentious restaurant of yours. Don’t get me wrong, the food was first class, but I’m a simple girl, Nolan King.”

“Is that so? Should make anniversaries easy.”

I raise an eyebrow in surprise and sip on my fourth mulled whatever-it-is, the warm liquid filling my mouth. “We are at that stage already, are we? Planning nuptials and what we’re going to name our second?”

“Bartholomew.”

“After the Simpsons character?” I joke.

“Or Apostle,” he smiles. “Because you better be damn sure he’s going to be an angel.”

“A King, an angel? How much of that mulled stuff you been drinking?”

I yawn.

“You want to head home?” Nolan asks.

Strip you down and fuck the life out of that gorgeous body, I think, replying “Sure” instead.

The sexual tension rises on the way home. I have to press my legs together hard to drive it away, but I’m still wet thinking about his hands on me.

I wait until we’re through the door before pressing him up against it. I lock my mouth to his and he returns the kiss with equal enthusiasm, a hand going to the back of my neck to hold me in position.

While Nolan’s busy I reach down and start to unbuckle his belt, take down his zipper, and that’s when he stops me.

I pull back. “Is everything okay?”

He holds my hand. “We shouldn’t.”

“Why the hell not?” I laugh. “I don’t know if it was that mulled wine or simply that I’m horny as hell around you, but yes, we definitely should.”

He lets go and takes my face in his hands, kissing me softer and more intimate.

His cologne is different tonight—ocean-crisp and inviting. I drink it in, but it only makes my craving worse.

When he breaks away his eyes cast a spell over me, and I’m pretty sure only hot, sweaty sex is going to satisfy this hunger.

“I’d like to get to know you in other ways before we…you know…again. We started fast right out of the gate. Now I want to slow it down and explore who Linnea Marsden is.”

I stand back and exhale with my hands on my hips. “Well, that’s a first—super sweet, yes, if a bit irritating, but I get where you’re coming from. You’re sure about this?”

He nods, looks a bit silly standing there with that giant bulge in his pants.

I look down to it, eyes wide. “You sure you’re sure?”

He smirks, pulling me into him and kissing me on the forehead. “I am. It’s a first for me too, don’t worry.”

“Fine,” I give in, knowing it won’t take me too long to change his mind.

“How about we go out again Monday night? You up for that?”

I nod against his chest. “Sounds good.”

His hand goes to the doorknob. He opens it, pausing for one final kiss. “Until then.”

“Until then,” I reply, waiting until the door is closed before I slump to the floor with the biggest lady boner of all time.

I grunt loud and long.

“You okay down there, honey?”

Shit. I forgot Mom was home. She normally sleeps through Armageddon.

I stand, patting myself