Free Behind the Pines (The Gass County Series Book 3) by Unknown Page A

pool between her legs.
    “That’s not what Wayne said when you guys came home, witnessing me pack my stuff to leave.”
    “Don’t listen to him,” Brody stated and stared into the open flames. “You know his background as well as I do and what state he was in after the turbulence with Christine. He has a long way to go before he trusts anyone again, and you being a newcomer, you definitely have your work cut out.”
    “No worries, Brody.” Sunshine turned her head and seemed to look deep inside of him. “Thanks for offering the stay, for any length.”
    “If William, Truly, and Jefferson all vouched for you, then, any time. Any time at all. And also,” he sighed and sat back up next to her, locking his muscular arms around his pulled-up legs. “You kind of saw me in the worst moment. I’m not usually high of pain meds or walking around in the nude. I want to apologize for that.” His teeth bit hard at the side of his chin. He hated being caught with his pants down. Literally. And having to confess things to a woman was something he tried to avoid. An officer was always right, not in any need to explain an action. He was to be admired for his strength, not seen as sensitive.
    *              *              *
    Sunshine swallowed another gulp of coffee and stared back into the flames, which performed a wild dance. “It wasn’t bad at all, Brody. Quite the opposite.”
    In the corner of her eye she saw his head turn her way. Her smile widened but her mouth stayed quiet. For a long time they shared the silence, orange flames their mutual entertainment.
    “You look tired.” Brody’s voice cut through the fog wrapping around her mind like a soft blanket and she was thankful he’d taken her cup away before she accidentally spilled it. She wrapped the blanket tighter and turned to find herself a comfortable spot on the floor.
    “Here,” Brody’s dark voice answered, and her stomach jittered in the midst of exhaustion as he offered the length of his arm as a pillow, the side of his body a source of warmth.
    “Thanks,” she mumbled and with the blanket around her she snuggled comfortably into the nook of his arm, his body heat a source of security.
     
    She woke sometime later. The fire smaller but glowing, and as her eyes grew accustomed to its light, she noticed that she’d turned to face Brody, her head resting comfortably on his solid shoulder. She could hear his breathing, slow and steady, asleep. She relaxed her neck, attempting not to disturb him, not wanting to wake him up. The flames gave partial view to his features, but god was he stunning. His chest moved slowly and she lead her gaze up the side of his neck, his parted lips, then up to his eyelashes, a fanning darkness over his skin. His short hair lay perfect, and she wondered how stiff it would feel under her hands should she dare to reach for it. She calmed the urge and placed her fingertips on the fabric of his shirt, feeling the heat transfer from his chest to her hand.
    He stirred and a low moan rumbled his chest, making Sunshine lift her hand to the air above. He coughed slightly and wrapped his arm around her back, pulling her tighter against him, like something familiar, and she could feel every inch of her body touching his. His fingers found their way under her blanket and rested on the side of her waist, and suddenly she couldn’t breathe. Synapses went off and her skin turned hypersensitive.
    The fire dwindled and then feel asleep among the ashes. Sunshine swallowed hard at the darkness and shivered slightly.
    Brody’s body moved closer against hers. “Are you cold?”
    Sunshine nodded softly and pushed her face and her chilled nose tip against the shirt fabric stretching across Brody’s chest. She felt his chin finding a resting spot above her forehead, and the air he exhaled tickled the strands of hair whispering about her head. She inhaled sharply at the sensation and bit down hard, not knowing how Brody