Chapter Two

Burke

I’ve been giddy ever since I left the diner this morning. I haven’t been able to stop smiling and I have been counting down the minutes until I get to pick her up. Sage has no idea that she has made the first move. She has given me the green light to more than obsess over her and finally do something about the urges I have concerning her.

I didn’t have any plans for Halloween, and I don’t think I have dressed up for a party since I was twelve years old, so my options were a little limited. What I do have is a decent set of cowboy boots and a great hat, so I decided to go as a cowboy. Dark blue jeans and a green button-up shirt finish the look. I sling my gun belt around my hips and check my service pistol. I don’t go anywhere without it and tonight won’t be an exception.

I check myself in the mirror, making sure I look my best. Yes, it’s vapid but I want her to crave me as much as I do her. Falling for someone is like eating. The entire experience starts with what you see.

A strange feeling creeps up my spine, somewhere between a tingle and a burn. My head throbs and I grab onto the counter to keep from falling over. It feels like fire burns through my veins before being chased by ice. Hot and cold fighting for dominance. Several minutes pass before the feeling fades and my labored breathing returns to normal.

My skin feels tight like I don’t fit in my own body. Maybe I’m coming down with something?

If this date was with any other woman, I might cancel. But not Sage. Checking my watch, I see that thirty minutes have passed. I need to leave or I am going to be late. I grab my keys and head to my matte black pickup truck. I could take my car but then I wouldn’t have to lift her in and get to touch her.

I drive through town as slowly as I can, allowing children dressed as ghosts and doctors to cross the street while I wait. I’m shaky with anticipation and can’t wait to reach her.

Finally, I stop my truck in the driveway of the two-bedroom house she is renting. It takes everything in me not to stomp across her yard and bang on the door. When I do ring the bell, I wai t— impatientl y— for her to open up.

What I wasn’t expecting is what she is wearing when she finally does. A white dress with little red cherries printed on it. It’s a halter neck so her ample cleavage is on full display, and the hem hits just above her knee. Her hair is curled and styled, and her lips are painted a rich red I want nothing more than to see wrapped around my cock. She looks like one of those sixties-style pinup models and I almost swallow my tongue.

Dark thoughts of pinning her to the wall and fucking her until I can lap at her tears fill my head, but I shake them off. I know I’m obsessed and a single step from being a stalker but I would never hurt her. I think.

“Burke,” she says shyly, drawing me from my thoughts. Staring at her, I can only think of kissing the shit out of her. Hearing my name from her lips makes keeping my hands and intentions to myself that much harder.

“Damn, Sage…” I whistle. “You are looking mighty fine.”

I add a ridiculous twang to my words, part of my cowboy persona, and a beautiful blush spreads from her cheeks to her chest. I wonder if her entire body will flush like that when I fuck her.

I thank whoever decided that jeans should be sturdy, because my erection isn’t as visible as it would be in regular pants.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, just let me grab my bag.”

She turns and heads back into the house, the dress swishing out around her thighs. Fuck. This is going to be a long night.

****

Sage

I’ve never thought that cowboy boots and a hat were sexy, but I have officially changed my mind. I also could have sworn Burke couldn’t be hotter than he was in his uniform, but I have been proven wrong. He is ruggedly handsome and there is no other way to describe it. He takes my hand as he leads me out to his massive truck, helping me along the path in the cherry-red heels I am wearing.

“I’m going to give you a boost,” he says. He opens the passenger side door and I inhale sharply.

Before I can protest, he grabs my hips and lifts me into the truck, dragging my back along his front. A full-body shiver works its way through me as he closes the door with a smile and rounds the truck to climb into the driver’s side. The truck rumbles beneath us as we pull out into the street, and I watch as Burke smiles at the children waving as we pass.

“How long have you lived in Ashburne?” I ask, trying to fill the silence.

“Born and raised,” he smiles. “I’m fifth generation actually.”

“Wow! That’s impressive.”

“What about you? What brought you to our little town?” he asks, genuine curiosity in his gaze.

“I never enjoyed living in the city. My father loved it, but I’ve always wanted to live in a small town. You know, somewhere my children will be safe to go trick-or-treating someday.”

“You want children?” he asks.

“One day. But that’s still a long time off.” I don’t even have a damn man. Hell, I’ve only had sex twice and both times were disappointing.

“You never know,” he says softly. “Your future may be waiting right around the next bend.”

“What about you?” I ask, trying to change the subject.

“I would love to have at least one kid someday.”

He doesn’t say anything else and I’m not sure how to get the conversation flowing again so I stare out the window at the passing forest as we drive to the next town. Maybe this was a terrible idea after all.

His hands are tense on the steering wheel when I look at him.

“Thank you for doing this,” I say softly. “I know you didn’t have to.”

He glances at me before returning his attention to the road.

“You’re right, Sage. I didn’t have to. But have you ever considered that perhaps I wanted to?”

His words silence me. He can’t be serious. Can he? Burke is the most eligible bachelor in the entire county, never mind the town of Ashburne. If anyone saw us together, they would probably question his sanity. A girl like me doesn’t get to end up with someone like him.

“Either way,” I say, effectively brushing off his previous comment. “Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure.”