Chapter 11: The Loft

I told Keaton I was going to check on the animals.

He said the Ridge had no animals, and I said that was why I needed to check.

He laughed, kissed my cheek and let me go.

I crossed the yard in the dark with my heart going so hard I could feel it in my palms.

The barn door was open a hand's width, and the lantern light fell across the floor in a long gold stripe.

I climbed the ladder.

Jonas stood at the far end of the hayloft with his back to a beam and his sleeves rolled to the elbow.

The flannel was still on.

Every button was still done.

"You said every button," he said.

"I did."

"I've been standing here for an hour working out whether you meant it."

"I meant it."

I crossed the loft and stopped in front of him.

He was breathing hard.

"Reese. You have a ring in your boyfriend's pocket."

"I have a lot of things in a lot of pockets." I put my hands flat on his chest. "Do you want me to stop?"

"No," he said. "God, no."

"Then say my name."

"Reese."

I undid the first button.

He closed his eyes, and I watched his throat move.

The second button.

His hands came up and closed around my wrists, not to stop me, only to hold on.

"Careful, Hale," I said. "I did warn you."

"I wrote it down," he said, hoarse, and I laughed and kissed him.

It wasn't gentle.

He tasted of smoke and tin and the water he had been drinking, and he made a low sound against my mouth that went straight through me.

His hands left my wrists and found my waist, then my back.

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