The sky warms a brilliant shade of burgundy as the hot air balloon touches the ground. It took a hell of a lot of self-control not to keep my mouth planted over hers the entire time. That kiss was everything I knew it would be and more. I wanted Annie’s first kiss to be special, to be memorable, and I knew that I’d have to cap it after one, so the hot air balloon seemed the logical answer.

We head to the truck, and the last thing I want is to drive Annie back to the dorm.

“You up for dinner?”

Annie leans against the open door looking up at me with those long lashes I’ve been dreaming about, those curves in her skin-hugging jeans, the cowboy boots that can drive me wild all on their own.

She licks her lips slowly, running her tongue in a smooth, quick circle.

Shit. A huff of a laugh escapes me. If it were anyone else, I would have thought it was an invitation, but with Annie I wouldn’t dare assume. She steps into me and pulls me down by the back of the neck.

“Can I have another kiss?” she whispers, and it’s the most beautiful sound in the world.

“Come here.” I pull Annie in close and land my mouth over hers. Annie comes at me with a vengeance, her tongue bursting over mine with a passion she’s dying to unleash. Cars drive past us. The balloon ride company shuts down for the night, and Annie and I linger in that freezing parking lot with our mouths locked over one another as if it were our last few moments on earth.

We finally pull apart to a darkened sky. The two of us with matching goofy grins. We opt out of going to a restaurant and pick up take out and head to the carriage house where Wyatt is graciously letting me stay. After I crashed his fuck-fest last night, he gladly tossed the keys at me to the one bedroom refurbished cottage behind his property. The Golden Oaks Horse Ranch is a boarding facility he runs on the side. It once belonged to his father, who, as far as fathers go, isn’t nearly the disaster mine happens to be. Nope. My father won’t be gifting me a horse ranch anytime soon—maybe a pile of shit to step in.

I start a fire and settle us on the couch.

“Are you hungry?” I start taking the Chinese food out of the bag, and Annie shakes her head.

She shows me her phone. But please, eat. I don’t want you to starve.

“Nope, I’m fine.” I move the bags to the table and scoot in close, twisting my body just enough for her to read my lips. “Tell me something about you I don’t know.”

I saw my mom today. She’s pretty adamant I get this high-tech implant. It would require surgery. It’s been heavy on my heart all afternoon, but you managed to take my mind off it. Thank you for that.

“Will this implant help you hear?”

“I think so,” she mouths before typing into her phone. I’m a candidate, so my mother is pretty rabid about it. It stimulates the inner ear, making sounds richer than other implants. It’s basically a sound processor and a couple of transducers. It blows doors off old-school implants.

A swell of relief fills me. “Annie, you have to do this.” I rub her shoulder, trying to coax her into the idea. Hell, I’d take her there now to have this done if I could.

She frowns before typing into her phone. You would get along great with my mother. She looks to the ceiling a moment. But, seriously, I know it would be a good thing. I’m just not sure if I’m ready for it. I’m a big chicken when it comes to hospitals. I feel sick just thinking about it.

“I get it.” I pull out my phone. When my brother died—I started to black out as soon as I hit the ER. I’m not a fan of blood or gore, and, unfortunately, with Ben I got both.

“I’m so sorry,” she says in the faintest whisper. Her fingers move lightning fast over her phone. What you went through is unimaginable. I couldn’t handle losing either one of my brothers. I feel bad when they act like jerks around you.

“No. They don’t.” My chest rumbles with a laugh. “Maybe a little.” I squeeze my finger and thumb together and wince. I’m teasing. I’m glad they’re protective of you. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

She lifts a shoulder at the thought. Tell me about your family.

My family. I swallow hard, trying to figure out which angle to take on this.

“My dad is—” I clasp my hand to the back of my neck before reaching for my phone. He’s a character. That’s putting it mildly. My mother was divorced, a single mom when she met him. My older brother, Wyatt, this is his ranch. He’s a great guy. I can’t wait for you to meet him. I nod toward the main house. He’s a lady’s man. That’s why he’s opted to let me stay in the guesthouse. My brother, Benji—we were close. We fought sometimes. Nothing was ever perfect in our lives, but we had each other.

That about sums up my existence in a nutshell with the exception of Olivia. Just the thought of her makes my stomach sour.

Annie holds out her phone. You mentioned that he passed away this last summer, that was just a few weeks ago. I can imagine how raw your emotions must be. Do you want to talk about him? Her eyes glitter as tears threaten to fall.

Just seeing Annie trying to absorb my pain makes it all a little easier to handle.

“He was a nut.” True as God. We loved the same things, fishing, hiking. He wasn’t in the band toward the end. When we were little, he’d tell everyone I was his sister just to piss me off. A laugh bucks through my chest. He was my buddy. I can’t imagine how I’m going to get through life without him.

Annie sighs as she writes out a reply. Blake—I want you to know that you can talk to me about Benji anytime you want. I’m here for you. I don’t want you to ever feel like you can’t talk about him.

I nod. “Thank you. I’ll take you up on that. I appreciate it.”

Annie slips over and sits in my lap. A devilish smile rides over her lips as she taps into her phone. Tell me about the girls in your life. Every time I turn around, there’s a girl trying to climb you.

“Sort of like this?” I give the bottom of her thigh a light tap. And a genuine laugh trickles from the both of us. Hers still has the volume turned down. Girls, huh? I don’t kiss and tell.

She takes my phone. Can I ask how many there have been?

I take it back. Why do I get the feeling you’re not asking about kisses anymore.

Annie bites down seductively on her lower lip and shakes her head. She wants answers. I consider it for a moment. I know for a fact I’m knee-deep in double digits.

“Too many.” The need to apologize bubbles to the surface. “I’m sorry.”

Why? Her brows knit. She looks genuinely perplexed by this.

“Because I wish I waited.” I press my lips tight. “I wish I waited for you.”

Her mouth opens, and she glances at the door like she might be using it.

“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” I pull up my phone. It’s just—what happened today, that was something that I’ve never experienced before. It was amazing. It felt right. Like I’ve waited for it my entire life.

The fire snaps a series of aggressive pops, and the room heats up ten times hotter than before.

Annie doesn’t move. Her eyes stay fixed on mine. She blinks at her phone a moment before writing back. Sometimes there are no words.

I pull her chin up with my finger ever so gently. This time I don’t ask, I simply lower my lips to hers and kiss her, slow and easy, like she were mine. And I’m hoping to God she is.

Annie matches my pace, my passion, my desire for more, with a momentum that continues to build between us. She rides her hands up my shirt, gliding her cool fingers over my chest, and it feels like paradise. A breath escapes me as I pause a moment to smile right over her mouth. Her hands glide down, landing over the button on my jeans.

“Whoa.” I pull back and clasp my hand over hers. “Not sure we should move so fast.” Words that have never left my mouth before.

“Why?” she whispers. Her forehead creases, her eyes still glazed over with a fresh layer of lust.

“Because”—I cup her face and brush my thumb over her cheek—“if that’s going to happen for us, I want it to be just right. Perfect.” I mouth the words laboriously slow.

Her lips crimp in frustration as she pulls out her phone. It can be perfect tonight.

A laugh rumbles from me. “I don’t think it would be perfect tonight.”

She gives an incredulous huff. Did I do something wrong?

“What? No.” I tap into my phone. You’re doing everything right. That’s why I think we should continue in that trajectory. I swallow hard as I show it to her. I want to make sure your first time is special.

Her brows dig into her forehead with amusement. Do you always make sure your first time with a girl is special?

She’s got me there. “No. But you are special.” I slow it down so she doesn’t miss a beat. My hands wrap tight around her tiny waist as I pull her closer to me. “And I want our first time to be just as memorable as that kiss.”

Her gaze falls to the floor. Are you treating me different because of my hearing?

“No.” I hold up my hands in surrender. “I swear to you it’s not that.” My hands fumble with my phone again. You’re special to me, Annie. I think what’s happening between us is special. You asked about other girls— I close my eyes a moment. “You’re in a class all by yourself. “ I annunciate each word carefully. “I wouldn’t even compare you to them.”

She shifts her body until she’s straddling me on either side with her knees. Annie sinks down over my lap, and my boxers come to life trying to salute her.

“Annie,” her name hisses out of me slow as death. There’s nothing I would like more than to make love to her right now. That event alone could turn this entire crap year on its head. “This”—I touch her chest then mine—“is going to happen. But I want to get it right.”

Annie gives a slow spreading grin as she bows over my lips with a kiss.

Her mouth opens to mine, and it’s like falling in a warm pool of wonder.

It’s like falling in love.

---

The Black Bear is brimming with bodies tonight, most of them female and half of those are gunning for my crotch. As soon as the band and I finish our set, I jump off stage to find Annie, but she seems to have vanished, so I head to the bar to get something wet.

“Nice job, baby bro.” Wyatt offers up a fist bump.

“Thanks. Glad you could make it. Where’s the lucky lady? You bring a date?” Wyatt has never been short on girls. In fact it’s odd not to see him with one chewing on his ear.

“Nope.” He flags down the bartender for me. “Two beers.”

“Just a Pepsi for me.” I nod to Cole. He’s been pretty decent, most everyone has with the exception of Holt and Bryson, who themselves were okay up until I started to show interest in Annie. It’s been two weeks since our hot air balloon ride, and we’ve logged miles with our tongues. I know she’s hoping to take it to the next level soon, and so am I.

“The funny thing is”—Wyatt glances around like he’s expecting someone—“I actually got dumped in this place a few months back. Real nice girl. Tall, dark hair, I think her name was Izzy.”

“Izzy?” I nod past him at a table in the corner where Izzy and Cole’s girlfriend, Roxy, are chatting it up. “Is that her?”

“Fuck me—that is her.” He looks slightly confused. “She dumped me right here, dude. She was sweet about it, though. Nice girl.”

“Her fiancé, Holt, owns the place.” Cole passes us our drinks, and we thank him. “Holt also happens to be Annie’s brother.”

Wyatt puts the beer to his mouth and smiles. “Small world. So where’s the infamous Annie? Are you sure you’re not getting dumped right now?”

“She’s here.”

“Excuse me?” A light voice comes from behind, and we turn to find Izzy beaming a big ole glad-to-see-you smile at my brother. “I thought that was you!” She laughs while stepping in close. “I have to say, you were the nicest, and, might I add, sanest blind date I’ve ever been on.”

“Thank you. I think. I suppose sane is rated on a sliding scale.”

Izzy laughs so loud it pierces over the music pumping through the speakers, and my heart sinks because I’d give anything to hear Annie laugh like that.

“What’s going on?” Holt pops up, glaring at both my brother and me.

Perfect.

Izzy does the introductions, and I add, “Wyatt is my brother.”

She beams, tapping him on the back. “I knew I liked you.”

Holt catches my eye and nods to the bar. “Where’s Cole? Register’s open, would you shut it?”

“No problem.” I walk over, the long way, and shut the drawer. I’m not a fan of shooting the shit with either Holt or Bryson these days.

Annie makes her way toward me, grinning from ear to ear. I speed over and meet her halfway.

I loved your set. She wiggles her phone at me. You were perfect.

I frown at her a moment, and she takes the phone back.

You did look perfect. And Baya says you always sound perfect. She gives a little wink. But I don’t need her to tell me that, I can tell by the vibrations. Why do you think I lean against the wall all night?

My mouth opens to say something, and an idea comes to me. But first, “There’s someone I’d love for you to meet.”

We make our way over and inadvertently break up Holt and Wyatt’s conversation. I’m sure it was mind boggling much like Holt.

“Wyatt, I’d love for you to meet Annie. Annie, this is my brother, Wyatt.”

“Annie?” He hops to his feet and takes up her hand. “It’s very nice to finally meet you. Blake says you’ve been logging some time at the carriage house, and I feel bad that it’s taken this long for us to say hello.”

Holt nods to Annie. “What’s the carriage house?”

Shit. Here we go. It sounds innocent enough, and, believe me, it has been. We haven’t stepped one inch off first base, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say we were thoroughly exploring our options. I think both of us are feeling the urge to hit a homer soon.

Annie looks to me in a panic.

Wyatt lands his beer back on the bar. “Just a one bedroom I’m leasing out to this knucklehead.” He raises a brow in my direction as if I should admire the way he made me sound gainfully employed and living off my own means even if he did pepper it with an insult. Little does he know he just signed my death warrant.

Holt turns his shoulder enough to block his view of Annie.

“One bedroom, huh?” The smile glides off his face. “I gotta run. I’ve got an issue in the back.” He looks to my brother. “I’m really glad we met.” He reverts his cold, hard gaze to me. “See me before you leave. I’ve got a bonus for you and the band.”

Shit.

Izzy winces as Holt takes off. “I’d better go see if I can help.” She mouths the word sorry to Annie as she melts into the crowd.

“I’d better run, too.” Wyatt pans the crowd for potential bedmates. “Who’s the blonde?” He nods past me. His eyes light up like a kid on Christmas morning just waiting to tear into the wrapping paper.

Annie points her phone at him, and he leans in to read it.

“Your roommate?” He looks slightly confused. “Do you have a sore throat?”

I may have forgotten to mention the fact that Annie is deaf. In truth, I forget half the time.

Annie looks to me a moment before typing out another quick note explaining the fact she can’t hear.

Wyatt looks from her to me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize—” He looks to me in horror. “You never mentioned it.”

“It was never on my mind.” I pull her in and circle my arms around her waist. I don’t see why not, I’m already going to hell by way of the Edwards’ brothers.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Annie.” He extends his hand, and they exchange a quick shake. “I’ll see you both soon. Maybe we can do dinner? Feel free to bring your roommate,” he teases as he heads for the door.

He’s sweet. Marley will be very flattered.

“Is she taken?”

She’s waiting for her BF to propose. I think he’s avoiding her.

I wince. “Too bad.”

“Hey,” Bryson barks as he walks up on us. “Holt says he wants to speak with you in the back.” He eyes my arms around his sister’s waist, and I slowly let them drop.

“Will do.”

I’d better head to campus with Marley. Call me?

I give a quick nod. Annie leans in and plants a sweet kiss right over my lips.

Shit.

She glances back at her brother and gives a curt wave before taking off. Wyatt may have spilled the gasoline at my feet, but Annie just lit the match.

I follow Bryson to the back room where I fully expect to get my kneecaps knocked in with a baseball bat—I’m hoping my balls are safe for now.

“What’s up?” I stare down both Holt and Bryson with their nearly identical faces and fight the urge to butt their heads together. Benji comes to mind, and suddenly I’m seeing them in a whole new light. “Before you go off and tell me to get the hell out of the bar—and your sister’s life—I just want to say that I hope you both know how lucky you are.” I clasp the back of my neck. “I lost my brother last summer. We were close.”

“I just met your brother.” Holt growls.

“Different brother. Benji died in a motorcycle accident last July.” I stuff my hands into my jeans. “Go ahead say what you’re going to say so we can all get out of here.”

Bryson looks to Holt, and they spend about a minute raising their brows at one another.

Holt steps up and just when I think he’s going to bury his fist in my gut he offers up a knuckle bump.

“Don’t hurt her, man.”

Bryson steps up, too. “I’m watching you. When you don’t know I’m looking, I’m there.”

Holt nods over. “No more taking her back to your place.”

“What?” Bryson’s eyes bulge out like hardboiled eggs.

Holt holds up a hand. “I’ll have Izzy talk to Annie.”

That perennially pissed look returns to Bryson’s face. “Dude, there are five hundred girls out there right now willing to bed you. Why the fuck are you messing with our sister?”

“First, I’m not messing with your sister. And second, I’m in love with her.”