“What is it?” I ask, concerned he’s in a lot of trouble for being out so late or early depending how you look at it.

“My mom’s a little pissed.”

The last thing I want is for his family to hate me before they have a chance to get to know me. “I knew this was a bad idea coming here.”

I move to stand up, but Rhett pulls me back down on top of him. “We’re not leaving until you kiss me.”

“Really? We’re already in trouble, and you want to make out?”

“What’s five more minutes? Plus, I was really comfortable. I’d sleep so much better if you were with me every night.”

I laugh at him. There’s no way he’s comfortable with my hundred and some odd pounds on top of him for the last couple of hours. “You’re lying, but I’ll kiss you anyway.”

He places a hand on each side of my face, cupping the curve of my jaw like I might break if he’s not careful. The kiss doesn’t start out slow like it usually does. No, this time Rhett’s all in, his mouth kissing mine like he’s starving for me.

His hands move from my face to my back where he tickles the skin peeking out from under the hem of the jersey I’m wearing. I can’t get close enough to him, but as much as I want to explore his body more, I’m not ready for that yet. At least I don’t think I am—especially in the middle of a smelly barn. “Rhett, we need to stop.”

He groans like it’s painful to break away from me, but he stops when I ask him to, never once hinting that he’s disappointed, even if he is a little frustrated we have to get up. “You’re right, come on. I’ll take you home.”

“I’m sorry I had to wake you up.”

He brushes the hay off his clothing, some still sticking to him no matter how hard he tries to shake it off. “Na, don’t be sorry. I don’t really want my girl sleeping in a barn anyway.”

I smile, my thoughts going back to his bedroom and our game of Jeopardy. “There’s always the nest.”

“You’re the only girl that’s ever been inside my nest.” He picks a couple pieces of hay out of my hair, his eyes never straying far from my own. Knowing how much he wants me, only makes me want him that much more. “I’d do anything to have you back in my bed, Sunny.”

Maybe that means he wants to cuddle like we were earlier today, or maybe it means much more than that, but it’s where I want to be, too. Especially if it’s going to make him look at me the way he is right now.

“Come on,” he says, taking my hand and guiding me out of the barn. Thankfully, he knows the place like the back of his hand, avoiding the scattered piles of hay and beams.

Once we’re outside, we breathe in the fresh air that’s dropped a few degrees since we got here. All the cars that were here earlier are gone. “Do you think Becca went home already?”

“Probably, but Jake was too wasted to drive, so hopefully she got a ride from someone else.”

I chew on my thumb nail, worrying about her. I didn’t have a single message from her asking where I’ve been or what I was doing. That’s not like her at all. I only worry more when Jake staggers around the corner, holding onto the side of Rhett’s truck to stay upright.

“I’s bout to zend a search party, Rhett,” he slurs between burps.

“Right here, man. No need to worry. Where’s Becca?”

“Ma bed.”

My eyes go wide as soon as he says it. Rhett looks at me, also curious about what’s been going on while we were in the barn. “Dude, can I go get her? I’ll take her home.”

“Dat wuz the plan, but you been gone, brotha. With your lil muffin.”

I snort when he calls me muffin. Rhett tries not to laugh, but he fails, too. “I’ll help you inside. Take me to Becca.” He walks to Jake, steadying him by throwing his arm over his shoulder, the same way you’d help an injured player off the field.

“Don’t be putting moves on me. Becca’s gonna get jealous.”

“It’ll be tough,” Rhett says, sarcastically, as he pulls his keys out of his pocket with his free hand. “Wait for me in the truck, Sunny. I’ll be right back.”

I take them from him, but before I get inside, I hear Rhett ask Jake the one question I’d love an answer to. “Did you do anything with her?”

All I hear is a grunt in response. It can be taken either way, and is no help at all. Why did Jake have to drink so much?

Waiting for Rhett seems like an eternity, even though it’s only been five minutes. My leg bounces nervously as my mind comes with up with all kinds of possibilities about what Becca could have gotten herself into. She’s kissed guys before, but she’s never done anything more than that. I’d hate for her to have made a bad decision tonight—one she’ll end up regretting.

Thankfully, I only have to wait a few more minutes by myself before Rhett’s jogging back to the truck—alone.

“Where’s Becca?”

“She was passed out in his bed. I woke her, but she wanted to stay until morning.”

“It is morning,” I remind him.

He chuckles. “Real morning.”

I don’t like leaving her here by herself. Granted she was alone all night, but at least I was close by if she needed me. Jake’s really drunk, and I’m a little worried about leaving her with him.

Rhett senses my concern when I don’t respond. “She had her clothes on, Kinsley. She’s okay. Nothing happened.”

“I heard you ask Jake, but he’s been drinking. He couldn’t even talk without slurring his words.”

“Even drunk, Jake would never take advantage of her. I promise. He’ll take care of her even if he doesn’t look like he can take care of himself. It’s just how he is. He may come off as a piece of work most of the time, but when it comes to people he cares about, he’s super protective. He’d do anything for that girl.”

“Sounds a lot like you. Minus the part about being a piece of work.”

He nods his head, agreeing with me. “Probably why him and I are best friends.”

I twist my fingers in my lap, nervous about the trouble he’s going to get in once he finally gets home. “You said your mom was upset. How bad is it?”

“My parents won’t be thrilled I didn’t call, but I don’t think they’ll be too mad since they knew I was at Jake’s house. At least I hope not. I’m more worried about Coach finding out. If he does, he’ll work me extra hard at practice.”

“But the whole team was there. Wouldn’t they be in trouble, too?”

He glances at the clock. “They weren’t out until three-thirty in the morning.”

“I’ll talk to your parents if you want me to, and make sure they know it was my fault. I don’t want them to be mad at you.”

Rhett pulls into my driveway, a smile already forming on his face. “You’re adorable, you know that? It wasn’t either of our faults. We fell asleep. I can take whatever punishment I get.”

Maybe we didn’t intentionally stay out this late, but considering he’s the only one facing consequences when he gets home, it doesn’t seem very fair. “Thanks for tonight. I had fun.”

“Me too, Sunny. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay.” I’m opening the door, when Rhett grabs my arm, pulling me back toward him.

“One more kiss,” he whispers, already claiming my lips before I can protest. Not that I would. His kisses breathe life into me. They make me feel like I could float all the way to my bedroom without ever touching my feet to the ground.

When he’s had his fill, he pulls away. “Sweet dreams, Sunny.”

With a smile on my face, I reach for the door handle. Before I hop out, I look over my shoulder one last time at the guy I’m falling hard for. “Night, Rhett.”

Despite how late he already is, he still waits until I’m pushing my front door open before backing out of the driveway and gunning it down the street toward his house. I’m preoccupied, remembering the way his mouth feels when I realize I have a problem of my own waiting for me—Carson.

His head is in his hands, his elbows resting on his thighs. When the floor creaks beneath my feet, his head snaps in my direction. Standing from the couch, he walks toward me. All he’s wearing is a pair of black boxer briefs. It’s wrong to look at him the way I am, but I can’t help it. He’s not giving me any other choice with a body that’s all hard lines and rough cuts. His training for the police academy is paying off.