Free Dirt: A Sexy Small Town Romance (Copperwood Book 1) by Reese Patton

my hand and Mike glanced at them for a moment before stepping away.
    “I’m staying to make sure Kirstin gets out safely.”
    I looked between the two men. Mike never announced his concern about our safety and never mentioned Kirstin before. It all seemed a bit easier than I expected.
    Shane held the door open for me and I walked past, deliberately not looking at Mike just in case he transmitted one of his looks of disappointment and ruined whatever good feelings tamped down the usual swells of disappointment.
    As soon as the door closed, Shane grabbed my hand and pulled me against him. “I’m driving you home.”
    “I have my car here.”
    “And it will be safe.” His tone left no room for argument and to be honest, I really didn’t want to argue. But I had to protest, even if it was half–hearted at best.
    He slipped his arm around my waist as he led me to his car. But before he opened the door, he pushed me back against it and stepped closer to me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I hoped he would pick up from where we left off when he dropped me at home after lunch, but I wasn’t sure a parking lot was the best place for it.
    Shane’s fingers brushed a few stray wisps of hair back from my face and I opened my eyes. I had to tilt my head back in order to see him, but that just pushed my hips against his. Not that I minded the feel of his body against mine. Quite the opposite. I wanted more of it, but I wasn’t the kind of girl to just grind up against someone. Besides, what if I did it all wrong?
    Shane bent down and pressed his lips against my forehead and memories of the first time he left Copperwood resurfaced, but I shoved them away. I didn’t want to think about that. Or tomorrow.
    He pulled his lips away and held me tight against his chest with his arms wrapped around my shoulders. My face pressed against his neck and I breathed in, adding the scent of his cologne to my memories. Shane’s breath floated over my neck and cheek and I realized he lowered his head again.
    I wanted to turn my face and kiss him. But I didn’t. He needed to kiss me first. I didn’t want to add another rejection to the wealth of inspiration for my fantasies. The ball was entirely in Shane Crawford’s court, but I would gladly catch it when and if he decided to throw it to me.
    His hand moved up my back, his strong fingers lightly brushing my spine, almost tickling me through the thin t–shirt, until they found the loose strands of my ponytail. We stood there together for several moments. His fingers combing through my hair, my body pressed against his, and his arm holding me close.
    If this was all he could give me, I would take it. The comfortable feeling of just being with someone, without any expectations, was the best thing about any relationship. If only all of my past attempts at relationships led to the easy comfort I experienced with Shane.
    His mouth found my ear and his teeth pulled at my earlobe. Shane was throwing the ball. He laughed softly into my ear and I realized I was pressing my hips against his. Apparently, I was the kind of girl who ground up against a man.
    He spent a few more moments teasing my ear before his lips moved to my neck.
    I groaned. I couldn’t help it. I was turned on and I wanted everything Shane was giving me and more. I felt burst of warmth between my legs and blushed with the realization that I was obviously aroused. I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck, wanting his mouth to find mine.
    Shane moaned and turned his face, brushing his whiskered cheek against mine, until our mouths met. His face tickled me in the rough manner of stubble and my skin heated from the mere brush with his skin. His tongue pushed its way between my lips and danced against mine. My arms tightened around him and I happily met each gentle thrust of his tongue.
    And then his hands held my face and the kiss turned from a gentle dance into a hungry claiming. Instead of pulling away, I returned his