I did it again.

Seriously, when will I ever learn?

I’m thirty. I assumed lusting after, and throwing myself at, any bad boy in my vicinity was an affliction of my twenties.

I’m supposed to be older and wiser now, right?

Apparently not.

Last night was my cousin’s bachelorette party.

This morning, I’m not waking up in a cabin next to a picturesque lake as originally planned. Nope, I’m in the crash pad located above the bar we partied in last night.

And, I’m not alone.

Malcolm Barnes, the owner of said bar is asleep next to me.

As fun as spending last night with him was, here’s why it can never happen again:

1. I live in Texas
2. He lives in New Hampshire
3. He owns a bar named The Drunken Moose
4. I’m too old to still be chasing after bad boys

With all the stealth I can muster, I slip out of bed. Most of my clothes from last night are on the floor around it. The only thing I can’t find is my underwear. Giving up on them, I grab my purse and head for the stairs. Malcolm may have rocked my world in bed, but now all I want to do now is pretend it never happened. I’d like to avoid the awkward morning-after small talk.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t my first one-night-stand. Honestly, I’m doing Malcolm a favor by getting out of his bed and his hair so he doesn’t have to deal with acting like a gentleman or anything. If he were awake, he’d probably be thanking me right now. At least, that’s what I tell myself. Figuring out a way to get back to Asher and Paige’s place is a good distraction from the pleasant ache between my legs.

Pure annoyance at myself is the only thing keeping me from crawling back into his bed for another round. No, the only attachment I need to New England is my cousin. I’m not about to start crushing on Malcolm.

First off, he doesn’t seem to be the commitment type and secondly, even if he was, long distance relationships are for masochists.

With my phone in hand, I open up my ride app and freeze.

There are no cars.

None.

How am I supposed to make a clean getaway without a driver?

“Crap,” I whisper. I’ll have to do a web search for a local cab company. At the base of the stairs there’s a mudroom with two doors. One is an entrance to the bar and the way I came up here last night, the other, I’m assuming is an exit.

I unlock it and pull it open only to hear a beeping noise.

As quickly as possible, I exit and pull it shut behind me, praying the beeping will stop.

When it does, I exhale in relief.

Then the alarm goes off.

My eyes close and I press my forehead to the door. There goes any hope I had of making a clean getaway.

At this point, I have two options. I can stay and face Malcolm, or I can run like hell. Since I have no idea where I am other than the fact that my cousin’s future brother-in-law’s place is about thirty minutes away.

With a dejected sigh, I turn around and sit on the nearest concrete parking block. With one hand I try to tame my hair as I try my best not to look guilty.

I don’t have to wait long.

His footsteps as he races down the stairs are loud enough for me to hear from where I’m sitting. There’s more beeping just inside the door as he must be entering a code into a security panel I missed.

The alarm stops and the door swings open.

Malcolm stands there, in all of his shirtless glory, the tattoos I enjoyed discovering last night on full display.

I lift my hand. “Hi.”

He blinks down at me. “What the hell?”

With as much grace as I can muster, I rise. “Sorry about setting off your alarm.”

His eyes move from my bare feet slowly up my body. They pause around waist level, (maybe he knows where my underwear are) before coming to rest on my face.

“You could have woken me up first Heather.”

Sure, that would have been the mature and rationale thing to do. Instead, I shrug. “You looked peaceful.”

He motions for me to come back inside. “I’m up now.”

Shaking my head, I hold up my phone. “I was about to call a cab.”

He looks up into the sky and I turn to try and see what he’s looking at. All I see are blue skies and a dusting of wispy clouds.

When I look back at him, his hazel eyes are on me. “Come inside long enough for me to throw on shoes and a shirt. Then I’ll drive you wherever you need to go.”

Taking a step back, I argue, “You don’t have to.”

He moves quietly, his long stride eating up the space between us. “You’re in that much of a hurry to go?”

Kind of.

I gulp. “I’m trying to let you off the hook.”

He pulls in a breath. “Get your ass inside.”

His tone suggests an argument wouldn’t be welcome. Scurrying past him, I step into the small space. He moves in behind me, his big frame all but surrounding me. When he leans in, I lean away.

“Fine,” I grumble, dumping my phone into my purse.

He turns and lumbers back inside, not even holding the door for me. Well, I suppose that’s my own fault for trying to ditch him the way I did. Still, I was only trying to be nice. There’s no need for him to be rude about it.

I pull open the door and ease through it. “I’ll wait in the bar.”

“The hell you will.”

He’s on the stairs, his torso twisted, his eyes piercing even in the dim morning light.

“Why not?”

“Because the minute I let you out of my sight you’re going to take off again. This town might be quaint but it isn’t Mayberry. Don’t worry, you’ll be rid of me soon enough.”

Folding my arms over my chest, I glare up at him. “I’m not going to take off again.”

When he makes no move to concede, I throw up my hands in annoyance and stomp past him up the stairs. His heavy footsteps echo on the stairs behind me. The door that leads to his place is open. With my head held high, I stroll right through it.

“Do you know where Asher and Paige live?” I ask, glancing back at him over my shoulder.

He grunts something that sounds like an affirmative as he moves past me to open some curtains.

Golden rays of the early morning sun stream in, brightening up the place with natural light in ways no lamp ever could. It was late and dark the first time I walked up those stairs. The only thing I was interested in then was finding his bed and jumping him.

With its high ceilings, exposed brick walls and ductwork, and rustic hardwood floors, it has a cool loft vibe. The appliances that I can see are all stainless steel and high end; same goes for the furniture, well minus the stainless-steel part.

Now that I can actually see the place, I have to admit, it’s nicer than just a plain old crash pad. “Do you live here?”

“Why do you care?”

Spinning to face him, I watch as he pulls a t-shirt on. “I suppose any hope for polite conversation went out the window when I left.”

His thick brows come together. “You tried to take off without so much as a goodbye. Don’t lecture me on polite behavior.”

I chew on the inside of my cheek. He has a point.

“Look, all I did was try and do you a favor by getting out of your hair. I thought you’d appreciate it.”

“Yeah, I loved waking up to my building alarm blaring when I thought I’d be sleeping in before I had my way with you again.”

His words fan the sputtering flame in my belly into a wildfire. He absolutely did have his way with me last night and the prospect of him doing it again is tempting. Though, as pissed as he seems I doubt that’s an option anymore.

“Can we go yet?”

He takes his time pulling on and lacing up his work boots.

My eyes move past him to the rumpled gray sheets of his king sized bed. Next time I’m attracted to a guy like Malcolm I’ll try not to be so impulsive. Maybe then, I can avoid a scene like this one.

“Why are you even making such a big deal about driving me yourself, when it’s obviously the last thing you want to do?”

He stands, reminding me how much taller than me he is. “Don’t assume shit about me. Let’s go.”

My eyes move around his space once more as I wonder how many women he’s invited up here before me. Paige had warned me he was a player last night. Instead of turning me off, the idea he wouldn’t likely get attached had been super attractive.

It was only this morning, waking up with his warm naked body flush to mine had I realized the error of my plan. He might not get attached, but I could.

He moves past me, the faint scent of his lingering cologne invading my senses, making me inhale to smell more of him.

I follow him out to his vehicle, not surprised at all that it’s an SUV. It seems like everyone here drives some sort of four-wheel drive.

Must be for the snow this place gets. Yuck. No thank you. We all thought Finley was crazy when she moved up here to fix up a house. But, crazy behavior is allowed when your husband cheats on and then divorces you. A situation like that could make the snow preferable to Texas. So far, I’ve visited once in the winter. Thank God they’re having a spring wedding because holy crap I may have reconsidered being Finley’s Maid-of-Honor if it was in the winter. I love her, I’ve just learned I don’t do snow.

We both climb in and, when he turns the key, the cab is instantly filled with Sublime.

Twisting in my seat, I press my hands to my chest. “I love Sublime.”

He turns the stereo off.

Well that was rude.

I pull my seatbelt out with more force than necessary and clip it with as much attitude as possible. He doesn’t breathe a word in response.

Great.

Slumping back into my seat, I lift my hand to shield my eyes from the sun. If I had my normal purse I’d have my sunglasses. Instead, I have a useless clutch.

Malcolm reaches his hand up and presses on a compartment above the rearview mirror. He plucks a pair of aviators from it and passes them to me.

Surprised, I try to push them away. “You don’t have to.”

“Shut up and put ‘em on.”

My nose crinkles with distaste at his words but since he is being nice given the circumstances, I accept them and put them on. “Thank you.”

We drive in silence for a while, until I can’t take it anymore and break it. “I need you to know my leaving the way I did was no reflection on you or last night.”

His thumbs tap the steering wheel to a rhythm I can’t place. “I’ll bite. Why did you sneak out the way you did?”

I shift uncomfortably in my seat. “It’s going to sound crazy.”

His gaze moves briefly to me before settling back on the road. “I’d still like to know.”

Hugging myself, I turn my face toward him and rest my cheek on the fabric of the seat. “I live in Texas.”

He nods his head. “You told me that last night.”

“Well?”

Even in profile I can’t miss the way his brows move in confusion. “Well what?”

Dropping my hands in exasperation, I explain, “I figured it was best if I stopped while we were both ahead since it’d be pointless to keep going.”

“And the most logical way to do that was sneak out of my bed?”

My fingers move to nervously fiddle with the seam of my skirt. “When you put it like that…”

For the first time this morning, his lip twitches. “How’d that work out for you?”

He might be laughing at me but I’m already a master at laughing at myself. “Obviously, it went great. No awkwardness whatsoever. I’m pretty proud of myself.”

His eyes move from the road to me again, this time full of warmth.

It’s impossible to ignore my attraction to him. Hell, it’s half the reason I threw myself at him the way I did. The other half was split between the sexy way he spoke to me, and the fact Paige told me not to. I’m stubborn that way.

It’d be helpful if he could tone down his attractiveness.

“Thanks for,” I start to say taking me back but change my mind and say, “everything,” instead.

“Everything?”

My mouth is dry and I gulp in an effort to relieve it. “Yeah.”

His fingers tighten on the steering wheel. “Still think it was a mistake?”

Before I can stop myself, I reach out across the console and rest my hand on his bicep. “Spending last night with you wasn’t a mistake, but getting attached would be. That’s all I’m trying to avoid.”

Steering with one hand, he uses his other to cover mine. “Okay.”

His response isn’t a shocker. I’ve yet to meet a guy who isn’t okay with no strings sex.

Malcolm’s hand leaves mine so he can turn onto the long drive leading up to Asher and Paige’s cabin.

I pull my hand away. “I’m sorry I left the way I did.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

After a minute or two, the cabin comes into view.

He parks and turns to look at me.

I look down as I unfasten my belt. “I guess this is goodbye.”

His fingertips caress my jaw as he tips my face towards his and gently kisses me. My eyes flutter closed. It’s a complete opposite of the way he kissed me last night. Those kisses were hard and demanding. This one is sweet and melancholy.

Wow.

I blink open my eyes and stare into his hazel ones.

Then I blurt, “Will you be my plus one to Finley and Noah’s wedding?”

He leans back and taps the tip of my nose with his index finger. “You’re adorable.”

It’s difficult to be annoyed at him when he’s smiling at me so warmly but I manage somehow and snap, “Never mind.”

My hand moves to the door handle. Screw him. I don’t need a date anyway. I don’t even know why I asked him. Ugh. My gut reaction to flee had been the right one. He’s a jerk, a sexy jerk, but still a jerk.

I don’t even look at him after I slam the door of his stupid giant gas guzzling killing the environment SUV. I’d make a hasty escape if I wasn’t barefoot and Asher’s drive wasn’t gravel. Those darn rocks hurt like hell. Planting one hand on the side of his car, I pray he doesn’t pull away while I slip my shoes on.

I have one shoe on when I hear his door shut and the crunch of his footsteps on the gravel.

With one shoe still dangling from my hand, he presses me against the side of that idiotic ride and gives me one hell of a kiss. The way his lips move against mine, has me dropping my shoe and wrapping my arms around his neck.

When he lifts his head, he grins down at me. “I’d love to be your plus one.”

I gulp. “I not sure I want to go with you anymore.”

He dips his face and runs the edge of his nose over mine. “Yes, you do.”

He’s right. Annoying, but right.

“Whatever.”

He kisses me again. Man, I was a fool for sneaking out of his bed. We could be getting busy right now but no, I had to go and decide it would be dumb to get attached. Thing is, that might have already happened.

I like him, or I at least like the way he kisses me. Plus, he’s seriously hot and didn’t act like a giant dick when he could have.

“How long are you in town for?”

I squint up at him. “The wedding is next weekend. I fly out the day after.”

“Are you staying here the whole time?”

I shake my head. “I was only here tonight for the bachelorette party.”

He traces the edge of my face, pushing my hair back. “Where are you staying?”

“The Woodlake Inn.”

He crouches in front of me, picks up my fallen shoe, and slips it onto my foot, the rough pads of his fingertips reminding me of what his touch felt like all over my body the night before. It’s the most innocently erotic thing that has ever happened to me. I gape down at him, wondering again if he can tell I’m not wearing underwear.

He looks up at me. “I want to see you between now and the wedding.”

“Okay.”

He stands but doesn’t move away, staying close to me. “You have a room all to yourself or are you sharing with someone?”

“I have my own room.”

His feral smile makes my legs weaken. I grip his waist so I don’t fall over. “That’s good.”

I inhale and then exhale his name. “Malcolm.”

He wets his lips. “I like it when you say my name all breathy like that.”

All I can do is stare at him.

He grins. “What’s your room number?”

The bachelorette party comprised of my cousin Finley, Abby, and Paige. Abby is the younger sister of the groom, and Paige is the fiancée of one of the groom’s brothers. Paige and Asher own the cabin we’re in right now. Since this is ground zero for bachelorette happenings, Asher got out of dodge.

They were all still in their pajamas, sipping mimosas when Paige led me back to the family room.

Finley grabs me by both arms. “What happened after we left?”

It’s impossible not to snort. “I’m pretty sure you know exactly what happened.”

Abby raises her mimosa in a silent cheer.

Paige just watches me, exactly as she has since the moment I knocked on her front door.

Finley drops her hold. “Fine, you got it on, whatever. What was he like?”

Skirting her, I move to sit beside Abby on the sofa. “Funny you should ask.”

She doesn’t say a word but holds my gaze as she claims the armchair across from me.

“Let me start off by saying I don’t regret spending the night with him. But, when I woke up this morning I panicked and tried to sneak away before he woke up.”

Paige straightens, her mouth falling open. “You did what?”

With a cringe, I shrug. “It wasn’t my finest moment.”

Abby passes me a mimosa reminding me why I like her so much. “Thank you.”

Finley bolts upright. “Who drove you here?”

After taking a sip of my drink, I motion for her to sit back down. “I said I tried to sneak away, not that I got away. Malcolm drove me here.”

Finley sits and grabs her glass. “I’m so confused.”

Paige nods. “Yeah, what do you mean you tried to sneak away?”

Leaning forward, I set my drink on the coffee table. “I accidently set off his alarm when I opened the backdoor.”

Abby’s eyes bug, Paige chokes back a laugh, and Finley shakes her head and says, “You did not.”

I duck my head and press my fingertips to my temple. “It was so embarrassing. How was I supposed to know he had an alarm set on the place?”

“What happened after the alarm went off? Was he pissed?” Paige asks.

I raise my eyes to meet hers. “He wasn’t thrilled to be woken up that way.”

Abby finds her voice and lifts her hand to stop me. “Why did you panic and leave in the first place?”

Finley replies before I can. “It must have been some night to freak you out like that.”

Growing up, we were as close as sisters so it’s no shock she’s figured me out. “It was okay.”

She rolls her eyes. “Okay my ass. You like him.”

I retrieve my drink and take a fortifying gulp. “I just met him.”

Abby glances between us. “If you like him why’d you leave?”

Finley gives her theory before I can come up with an answer. “She left because she liked him. It’s her defense mechanism.”

I bug my eyes at her. Last thing I need is for her to divulge all of my secrets.

I answer Paige’s early question. “He wasn’t happy when the alarm went off.”

“I’ll bet,” Abby mutters.

Paige’s brows come together. “But he still drove you here?”

I nod. “I wanted to call a cab but he wouldn’t let me.”

Abby turns to Paige. “He sounds nice. I thought you said he was a jerk.”

Paige’s gaze remains on me. “It’s been months since I’ve worked at the Moose. Maybe something changed.”

My curiosity gets the better of me. “Does he live in the place above it?”

She shakes her head. “He splits his time between that place and a cabin.”

I can’t help but wonder what this cabin looks like, or if I’ll get an invitation to it.

“Are you going to see him again?” Finley asks.

Heat creeps across my cheeks. “I invited him to your wedding.”

She stands and plants her hands on her hips. “You did what?”

Paige motions for her to sit. “Don’t worry. We can add a chair. There’s wiggle room in the plans for an extra person.”

Paige is an event planner and has helped Finley plan the wedding. If anyone would know if an extra person could come, it’d be her.

My shoulders sag in relief. “See, no biggie.”

Finley’s face softens but a trace of annoyance lingers. “You are so lucky it worked out, but you suck for giving me a heart attack like that.”

Weddings are stressful and she’s definitely showing it.

“And he’s coming to the inn tonight,” I add.

Everyone leans toward me in surprise.

Finley is the first to speak. “So soon?”

I attempt to shrug nonchalantly.

She smirks. “You’re so screwed.”

It’s an effort, but I stop myself from saying hopefully. “I’m going to take a shower.”

Thankfully Finley doesn’t follow me to lecture me, not that it would technically be a lecture. She’s worried about me, I get it. If there’s one thing my cousin has always done is worry about me.

She got married early and until we all learned her husband was a cheating bastard, had what looked like an ideal life from the outside. She settled down and wanted me to find someone I’d want to settle down with as well.

I’ve had a couple long-term relationships over the years. One of my exes even proposed. Maybe marriage isn’t in the cards for me. As this morning shows, when faced with a guy I like, I run as fast as possible.

After I shower and change into fresh clothes, I head back downstairs. My anxiety at being caught mid attempted escape disguised my hunger. Instead of rejoining the gang in the family room, I detour through the kitchen.

“I’m glad I was wrong.”

Bagel in hand, I jump at Paige’s words. “What?”

She starts making another batch of mimosas. “I’m happy Malcolm was cool to you. But, if he starts acting like a dick, let me know and I’ll kick his ass.”

“I’m only here for a week. It’s not like I’ll ever see him again.”

Her expression shifts to something more mischievous as she loads a rustic looking tray with the drinks she made. She makes a point of shoving one in my direction.

Enough so that I set my food down and cross my arms. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

With an innocent shrug, she turns and leaves.

What the heck was that about?

I watch her back as she moves out of sight. If I weren’t so hungry, I’d follow her and pester her until she shared. Making quick work of both my bagel and my mimosa, I rejoin the group in the family room.

Finley grins when she sees me, and announces, “We should have a date night. Do you think Malcolm would come?”

My step falters. “What?”

Abby finishes her drink and sets the now empty glass down. “No can do for me. I’m fully booked until the wedding.”

Finley glances over at Paige. “Same here, and I’m pretty sure you are as well.”

Finley waves her off. “We still have to eat.”

“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. Besides, he’s already agreed to be my date for the wedding. Can’t we just leave it at that?”

With a pout, Finley sinks back against the cushions of the couch. “Oh come on. I want to have a chance to see you two together before I decide if I approve or not.”

Pressing my fingers to my temple I claim the armchair across from her. “Approve? Please don’t turn this into something it’s not.”

Finley tips her head to the side. “Alright, what is it?”

I lift my hands in exasperation. “A fling. It’s just a fling. Some fun, no strings sex and companionship while I’m in town. That’s it.”

Her lip curls. “You don’t want more?”

As much as I love my cousin, we’re wired differently. Fling is a bad word in her vocabulary. She’s the type who is only comfortable in a long-term relationship with someone she loves.

I’m not against that, in theory. She’s happier than I’ve ever seen her and I’m thrilled for her. Marriage just might not be in the cards for me. That doesn’t mean my life is lacking in any way.

I have a great job, an awesome condo, the freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want to. I’m not going to settle. Ever.

“I don’t need more.”

Paige inspects her fingernails. “But you must want more, or you wouldn’t want to see him again.”

“Okay, I’ll clarify. I don’t want anything more than a week full of awesome sex with a hot guy.”

The sound of an extremely masculine throat being cleared catches our attention. I glance over to see Asher cringing.

“Did I come back too early?”

Noah moves into view. “No way. I want to hear more.”

Covering my face with my hands I groan.