Page 97 of Small Town, Big Storm

It’s something softer, something that makes me ache deep inside—and not my dick (though that’s still hard).

“I’m used to not getting a lot of sleep.And I appreciate that you’re concerned,” she adds before I can interrupt.“But it’s only temporary.Soon enough Holly will be older and I’ll get more help at the bar and then the long nights and tired mornings will just be a fond memory.”

I’m not so sure about that.

But I’m also not sure how to fix this for her—short of hiring someone to help at the bar or be there to get Holly ready in the morning so she can sleep in.

I can do both of those…but only if she lets me.

And I’ve barely gotten her to begin to trust me.

If I push too fast…

“You’re a great mom, Pop,” I say, adding when she starts to demur, “Holly is amazing.That’s because of you.”

“And the town.”

“Andyou,” I semi-repeat, doing it more firmly.

“Let’s get back to you and your abs.”

“Stubborn,” I murmur.

“Where do you think Holly got it?”

I shake my head, exhaling as I smooth back her hair.

“Oh!”she exclaims, wrapping her fingers around my wrist, drawing my hand forward.“Yourknuckles.”

They ache—not a surprise considering I was wailing on a tree not that long ago—but I’ve been in a lot of fights over the last years (and especially over the last season), so they’re far from the worst they’ve ever been.

But I’ve never had someone do what she does next?—

She bends and blows lightly on the reddened and torn skin.“They must really hurt?—”

Not anymore.

The only things aching are my balls.

“I’m sorry,” she murmurs, pressing her lips there.

“You can kiss me somewhere else,” I blurt.

She freezes, her eyes going wide.

Then she grins.“Is that supposed to be smooth, Storm Harrison?”

“I don’t think I have enough blood left in my brain to be smooth.”

Her gaze flicks down.My dick gets harder.

“I see the problem,” she murmurs.

“You don’t,” I groan, tugging free and carefully adjusting myself.Christ, I don’t think I’ve had a boner this uncontrolled since I was a teenager.

Since that tiny red bikini.

My mouth hitches up.