LITMIR.BIZ

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betrayal he’d experienced had scarred him, probably more than the hell he’d lived through during his tour of duty. Not that he was looking for a relationship or anything with Alexa. He had a need, a craving he hadn’t experienced in so long, so he thought he’d act on it.

      But she was a mother. A single mother. She was worried about being away from her son and here Hayes was worried about his hormones. They couldn’t be more opposite. Sexual attraction was a fickle battle to fight.

      And right now, he was a jerk. He’d nearly consumed her on the porch, taking what he wanted and leaving her little room to argue. Oh, he could tell she enjoyed his touch, but now what? He’d pushed her away because he had no clue what to do next, but she was stuck here, so he would have to face her at some point.

      He was about as personable as that damn screen door he wanted to scrap.

      Drawing in a deep breath, Hayes stepped inside the kitchen. Alexa wasn’t around, which wasn’t shocking. He’d be surprised if he saw her again while they were stuck here together. Most likely, she’d retreated to text her sitter or scroll through images of her son to keep her grounded and away from the big bad wolf.

      Damn if he couldn’t still feel her against him, though. He wanted her more than ever, but there was a line he shouldn’t cross... Not until or unless he was certain she wanted...what?

      There was a term for what he wanted and it was hot sex, no-strings, a one-night stand. But approaching Alexa with such crass words really didn’t fit. There was something special, innocent about her and he shouldn’t be trying to taint her.

      Right now, the only thing he knew was that they were stranded together and the emotions were getting the best of them—or of him, at least.

      He sure as hell had more than hormones to worry about. This water was rising. Their only saving grace, for now, was that the house and barn were up on a knoll that sloped down to the river and creek. But being surrounded on most sides was going to be a major problem if the rain didn’t stop soon.

      Since Alexa was not in sight, he shoved on the old work boots by the back door and headed out, sans shirt. He marched straight to the barn to check on the horses. If anything happened to Doc, Nolan would never forgive him.

      His doctor brother had recently found his high-school sweetheart and had reunited. She’d been expecting another man’s baby, which was a level of baggage Hayes never wanted to deal with. Between Nolan and Colt, both with their ready-made families, Hayes was starting to wonder what the hell was in the water around here.

      The irony was not lost on him that he was now stranded with a single mom. Fate was tempting him or mocking, he wasn’t sure which. Either way, he was getting damn uncomfortable.

      Hayes checked the feed, refilled the water and decided to refresh the hay. Maybe something normal, some sort of manual labor would keep his mind off the fact Alexa had been panting in his ear and shattering against him only moments ago. He wanted to go straight into the house and finish what they’d started. His ache hadn’t dissolved; if anything he wanted her even more than he had before he touched her. The way she’d come apart with such freedom and fire... He wanted more. If she was that open with her passion, how would she be once he got her into bed?

      Her body hadn’t been perfectly toned. Rather, her full hips, her soft abs were so damn sexy. She had the body of a woman with confidence and that was sexier than anything he’d ever experienced. Hayes wished like hell he could take his time and explore every dip and curve.

      Again, though, they were total opposites and she wasn’t looking for an affair with a stranger.

      After staying in the barn for as long as possible, Hayes resigned himself to the fact that he was going to have to go inside and find her. Alexa deserved an apology.

      Cursing on his way back to the house, Hayes had no idea how to go about this, but he knew no matter what he decided, he’d find some way to botch it up.

      After stepping back into the house and closing both doors, he headed to the laundry room to change once again. He stopped short when he saw the clothes Alexa had been wearing. She’d taken her own things and left his draped over the drying rack.

      Obviously she wanted to get out of the wet things, but all Hayes could think was that she’d wanted to be rid of him. The battle he waged with himself had slid between them and he didn’t intend for her to be a target.

      Already the darkness that plagued him was affecting others, and not just his immediate family. This should be reason enough for him to keep his distance from her, but he had to say something.

      Now he had to figure out how the hell to make this up to her because neither of them were going anywhere anytime soon.

       Seven

      Given the fact Hayes had been a bastard, Alexa took it upon herself to explore the rest of the house. She’d texted to check on Mason again and got a picture back of him napping cuddled on the sofa with the infamous horse. At least one aspect of her life was normal.

      Wandering around with her thoughts in a stranger’s house wasn’t helping her get over what happened on the porch.

      If her body would stop tingling, that would be great. She was having a difficult time being so angry with Hayes when every part of her was still extremely revved up and ready to go. She didn’t even have to concentrate to be able to feel him against her.

      Alexa stepped into what appeared to be an office, but the cover on the couch and the stale scent told her this room had been neglected for some time. She wondered how long he’d been in the military and how long this house had sat empty. A room like this would have a story to tell and be rich with history.

      The wall of shelves drew her in even farther. She adored reading, though lately it was more books about the ABCs or colors and shapes than anything. Which was fine, she loved snuggling with Mason after he’d had a bath and just before bed. They would settle in his room in the corner rocker and read and sing. It was actually the most relaxing part of her day. She wanted traditions and routines for her son, so he always felt safe, protected, loved.

      Alexa blew out a breath and tried not to get too upset about being stranded here, away from Mason. She would’ve been away this weekend anyway, but now there was a real threat she’d be away even longer than the weekend.

      The far wall of windows reaffirmed her fears as the rain beat against the side of the house. Alexa chose to keep her eyes on the books and something that would take her mind off her current situation. Surely there was one title in all of those she would find interesting.

      The dust on the shelves was thick enough she doodled a heart. Wait. What? No, no hearts. She swiped her fingertips over the juvenile design and focused on reading the spines.

      “Hope you like history.”

      Alexa cringed as Hayes’s voice washed over her, but she didn’t turn to face him. “Better than any other way to occupy my time,” she muttered.

      “I deserve that.”

      Alexa laughed, still staring at the titles as if some self-help book on dealing with cranky, sexy cowboys would jump out at her. “Oh, you deserve more, but I’m holding it in.”

      “Why? You’ve been brutally honest up until now.”

      True, but just because he’d been less than hospitable didn’t mean she needed to be rude. Besides, she truly didn’t know what to say. This situation was so far out of her comfort zone, she didn’t even know what zone she was in. She was well aware that anything that happened here was temporary because she wasn’t about to get involved with anyone and take them home to her son, but she’d never done temporary before.

      “Are you going to look at me?”

      Of all the times she’d wished for a snarky comment, now Alexa’s mind came up blank. She blamed the intense encounter on the back porch for her

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