Redemption: Montana Wolves, Book Three (Montana Wolves series 3) by Chloe Cole Read Free Book Online

his hands by stepping out, yanking the door closed behind her and practically running down the pathway to his truck.
    He followed, bemused by the start to the evening. She was obviously as conflicted about their relationship as he had been. Odd how, in spite of everything that was at stake, just being in her presence made the weight lodged in his chest feel a little lighter.
    “You look great, by the way,” he said when they settled into the seats of the truck. She was wrapped in a bulky, cream-colored wool coat, but he could make out her curvy form beneath it and he couldn’t help but wonder what underwear she’d wound up with.
    Not that he was going to see it.
    “Thanks.” She was wringing her hands together and staring out the windshield so intently, he wondered if he’d misread her nerves. Maybe something more serious was at play here--
    “I can’t sleep with you,” she blurted.
    His brain went into overdrive as he turned the key in the ignition and the truck’s engine roared to life. He let the words sink in for a few seconds before finally responding.
    “Okay.”
    She turned to face him, her breathing coming in white puffs of steam into the icy, night air. “I mean, I want to sleep with you. I’ve been thinking about it pretty much non-stop. But it would be a terrible idea for both of us. I’m not even sure if I’m sane or not, and, until I figure things out, I can’t get involved. No matter how much I--” she broke off and swallowed hard. “I just wanted to be up front about it so you wouldn’t think I was a tease or anything.”
    She’d been thinking about sleeping with him.
    Pretty much non-stop .
    That sent a hot rush of blood south, filling his cock with a pulsing need that had already been too close to the surface. But then the rest of her words sank in, reaffirming what he’d already known. She was digging her heels in even deeper now, doggedly determined to find out the truth.
    A truth that could kill her.
    The rightness of his choice settled over him like a blanket. This was his best chance to protect her, and that was the most important thing.
    He backed out of her driveway and pulled onto the street, taking the time to choose his words carefully. “I don’t think you’re a tease, Amber. And I definitely don’t think you’re crazy.”
    Stubborn, yes. Like a dog with a bone, but that was a flaw he both shared and kind of admired.
    “So why don’t we do exactly what we agreed to do when I called? Just have a fun night and try to put the past behind us for a while. Kick back, relax. Enjoy each other’s company.” And hopefully, get a few drinks in her, so the shock of what he was going to tell her didn’t kill her on the spot.
    She let out a sigh and her posture went from stiff to relaxed in an instant.
    “That sounds really good to me. I can definitely use a mental half-time. But I have to warn you.” She twisted in her seat to face him. “I’m a fantastic pool player, so you’d better get your game face on, buddy.”
    He let out a chuckle as a little of the tension left him. So long as she was willing to spend time with him, that meant he still had a chance.
    A chance to protect her.
    A chance to prove to the others that she was worthy of their trust.
    A chance to convince her that the beast she saw that night might have looked fierce, but it would never, ever hurt her.
    It wouldn’t be easy, though. Because, right now, he felt very much like The Big Bad Wolf from that old-time scary-tale, which made Amber his Red Riding Hood.
    And he wanted nothing more than to eat her up.
----
    “ N INE-BALL , corner pocket.”
    Amber leaned forward and lined up her shot, taking the time to suck in a steadying breath. She was two balls away from winning the game and she wasn’t about to blow it just because Billy had brushed by her, leaving his masculine scent trailing behind him.
    She pinched her eyes closed and willed herself to focus. God, what was it about the way he smelled? It