I should've been on a plane by now, but I got word my travel plans were delayed until the morning. Part of me was relieved; I'd get one more chance to see Gracie, even if she probably didn't want to see me. I had a birthday gift for her—something I had designed and had made, I figured, if nothing else, I could drop it off.

But when I showed up at her place, she wasn't there. Riley told me she was gonna stay over Nix's tonight, so I headed over to Nix's place.

When I got there, Dr. Chambers answered the door. He gave me a confused look and told me Gracie and Nix were over at Jake's, crashing there instead. 

Fine. So I drove to Jake's.

Except, surprise—no Gracie. No Nix or Jake either. Jake's dad, Max, claimed they were staying at Gracie's tonight.

Something wasn't adding up. They'd all lied to their parents.

So where the hell were they?

Max must've seen the look on my face because he pulled out his phone, did a quick search on the Find My iPhone app, and found Jake's location.

Max's forehead knotted up. "This is tellin' me he's at the National Park."

This wasn't good. Everyone knew what went on at the boundary line of the National Park. They threw parties out there—wild parties. Bonfires, beer, and a bunch of college kids acting like they didn't have a care in the world.

Max didn't look happy either. He was already dialling Jake as I headed out to find them.

Putting my foot down I tried to reach Gracie by phone, twice,  but it kept going to answerphone. It took half an hour to get there and land myself into the thick of it. The second I stepped out of my car, I could hear the music blaring, see the flames from the bonfire lighting up the trees. College kids were everywhere—guys trying to get laid, good girls pretending to be bad.

The place reeked of smoke, cheap beer and testosterone.

But I didn't care about any of them. I was only interested in hunting down Gracie, and Jake and Nix because they needed to get their underage asses home too. 

Where the hell were they?

Many of the college students clotted together as I wove around them, my eyes scanning their faces, but so far, no sign of them. It felt like searching for a needle in a damn haystack.

I was too old for this shit and every few seconds, someone tried to talk to me or shove a drink in my hand, but I brushed them off. I pulled out my phone, about to call her again, when something caught my eye.

Wait up...

My eyes narrowed, and then I saw a girl on top of a table.

Full disclosure: the first thing I saw was her ass. Which was round and curvy, an amazing ass.  It looked familiar.

Of course it was fucking familiar.  It wasn't just any girl. 

Motherfu—

It was Gracie.

Not only that she was surrounded by guys, cheering her on.

I picked up my pace, pushing past people with my eyes glued to her.

There was no denying, she looked good—too good—with her long hair tied up, a flannel shirt knotted at her waist, and those cut-off shorts showing off more of her smooth, thick thighs than I was comfortable with. It sent blood south and my mind racing to places it shouldn't, dangerous thoughts like how I want to spread those thighs and put myself between them.

And those boots—damn, they're the kind that screamed fuck me, and the smile on her face matched them perfectly.

Was she trying to kill me?

I let out a frustrated growl as I get closer. But when I saw some asshole put his hand on her thigh, my blood set on fire.

"Get your hand offa her." My voice cuts through the music, loud and sharp. Gracie's head snapped around, her movements slowing as she spotted me.

I pushed through her audience, shoving them out of my way, my eyes locked on that hand still gripping her thigh. "I said, get your hand off her."

The guy, maybe twenty, turned around, trying to act cool. "Chill out, man. She likes it."

I saw fucking red.

And before I knew it, my hippocratic oath of do no harm flew away, although technically he wasn't a patient. My fist connected with his jaw, sending him to the ground with a hard thud.

"What the heck are you doin!?" Gracie screeched at me and the heat that blanketed me every time I was close to her, looked at her, hell, even thought of her, grabbed hold of me.

"Saving you!" I snapped back.

The guy on the floor started scrambling away as gasps filled the space between me and the onlookers, sending a few stumbling back, their eyes wide and unblinking. My fists tightened, daring anyone else to make a move, but they just stood there, gawping at me like I was some wild animal that had broken loose.

I turned to Gracie. "Get down. You're goin' home."

"I don't need savin' Dr McKnife," she slurred, swaying slightly on the table. "I'm staying right were I am!"

What the heck?  Dr McKnife?

There was nothing wrong with her sass, but up closer, I could see it clearly—her eyes weren't focused, her cheeks flushed, and a light sheen of sweat glistened on her skin.

She wasn't sober, that's for damn sure.

But what worried me, had she taken anything else?

The thought made my stomach churn, and a fresh wave of anger surged through me. "I'm callin' the cops if y'all don't get outta here right now."

My threat carried over Gracie's audience and beyond as heads turned. It was then I spotted Nix and Jake heading over, a couple of girls trailing behind them.

"You!" I jabbed a finger at them. "What the hell is she doin' here alone? Why weren't you lookin' out for her?"

Nix shrugged and then had the gaul to smile up at Gracie who'd not even attempted to get down yet. "What? She's just dancin', man. Doin' exactly as you said."

What?!  

It was obvious he'd been drinking too and pointless tryin' to talk to him.  I clenched my fist tighter and try to just focus on one thing at a time.  "She's obviously had too much to drink, or worse!" I barked back.

"She only had one beer. Swear," Jake muttered, but I was too mad to care.

"Your parents are on their way," I warned them, and Jake grumbled something under his breath. 

I turned back to Gracie, extending my hand. "C'mon. Get down."

She swatted my hand away like I was annoying mosquito or something. "You're spoilin' my f-fun!"

Inhaling a deep breath, my voice was low and serious. "If you don't get down, I'll get you down."

Gracie smirked, taunting me. "Go ahead. Do it!  I dare y-you Dr McStabby!"

Dr McKnife, Dr McStabby.  I was starting to notice a pattern here.  But, fine, have it her way.

I swept her legs out from under her, catching her mid-fall and tossing her over my shoulder. She let out a little gasp but didn't fight me, which was a relief.

With her over my shoulder, I headed back toward the cars, Nix and Jake trailed behind. "Are you stayin'?" she asked weakly, her voice slurred.

I didn't answer right away. "I'm takin' you home."  And then I spied Max and with him was Jake's other Dad, Connor.  Their expressions were a mix of worry and anger.

"Oh Lord, is she okay?" Connor asked, his eyes scanning over Gracie slung across my shoulder.

"I'll check her over when we get to my car, but I think she's alright," I replied, shifting Gracie in my grip as she mumbled something incoherent.

I heard Max laying into the boys, the consequences of this night catching up fast. Grounding didn't seem enough of a punishment for what could have happened to Gracie.

When I reached my car, I set Gracie down on her feet. She swayed, and I used my body to steady her against the side of the car whilst I opened the door.

"I don't wanna go home," she muttered, her words slurring.

"Well, that's exactly where you're goin'," I told her, keeping my voice steady, though my patience felt like a rope fraying one strand at a time.

She avoided looking at me, and I took her face gently in my hands, tilting her head to get a better look at her. "Have you had anythin' apart from alcohol?" I asked, my eyes searching hers.  

"Why?" she slurred again.

"Why?" I repeated, exasperated. "Because I need to know, because I'm worried 'bout you!"

She giggled, and my frustration spiked. "Gracie!"

"What?" she said with a lopsided smile. "I had a few shots—tasted fruity—and one beer..."

"Anything else?" I pressed, my voice firm.

She bit her lip, like she was thinking, then shrugged. "Took one puff of a blunt. That's it."

She started giggling again, and I gripped her shoulders gently but firmly. "Just alcohol?"

"Yeah, nothin' else," she announced. "I'm a little bzz—um, buh—um, a little tipshee. I mean tip. Sy."

"Are you tellin' me the truth?  Because if I think you're lyin' I'm takin' you straight to the ER."

She shook her head. "I'm n-n-ot lyin' to you! " Her forehead wrinkled. "But why are you so pissed? I'm the one who spilled my heart to you, and you s-s-tomped all over it. And now you're takin' me away from havin' fun—gettin' life experience, like you said I needed."

She wobbled on her toes, then flicked my nose with her finger and giggled again. "D-do you like my n-n-new name for you, Dr McKnife? Or d-d-do you prefer Dr McStabby?"

Lord, give me strength.

"You get it?  You took a knife to my heart."

Yeah I got it. 

Closing my eyes and grinding my teeth I tried to remind myself that she's just a drunk almost eighteen-year-old. She didn't know what she's saying.

But damn, this was testing me. I opened my eyes, took a deep breath, and said, "C'mon. Get in the car."

I helped her in, making sure she's buckled up before I closed the door. As I slid into the driver's seat, she whispered, "Are you really m-mad at me?"

Turning around I grabbed a bottle of water from the back seat and unscrewed the cap and handed it to her, "Drink... and yes. No. I... I don't know. I'm just—"

She gulped it down and coming up for air she asked. "Why two years?"

She sounded so goddamn sad and it ripped a chunk outta me but I wasn't having this conversation when she's not sober, my anger at her putting herself in a dangerous position tonight was not letting me think straight. "How about you sleep for the rest of the ride?" I suggested instead.

She pouted and damn to hell if it wasn't cute as hell almost making me forget I was pissed at her.

"But I don't wanna sleep." Shaking her head in protest. "I want an explicenation... a expel... nation."

My grip on the wheel tightened and I took a second to think about what I needed to say and when I looked over at her I was relieved to see her eyes were closed... and some of the anger slipped away.

How could I stay mad at her? This was all my fault. 

Fucking life experience.  Well done, asshole.

When we finally pulled up to her house, She barely stirred when I lifted her out of the car and carried her onto the porch. Her head was flung back over my arm and her body was a dead weight.

Riley Jo opened the door, stepping aside, her face tight with worry. "Oh my God. Is she okay? Max and Connor called me, told me what's goin' on."

"Yeah, I believed her when she said it was a beer, a few shots and a little weed."  Riley gasped but quickly recovered. "Is Adam around?" I asked.

"No, lucky for her was asked to go in and assist with some emergency surgery. When he finds out she'll be grounded for a year!"

"I'll take her upstairs and keep an eye on her for a while. Make sure she's alright."

Riley cupped her daughters cheek, then looked up at me, gratitude in her eyes. "But don't you have to be leavin'?"

I shook my head. "Don't worry. I'll catch another flight if I need to."

She paused, gave me a knowing smile and then nodded. "Okay, well I appreciate that."

I eventually made it to her room and when I managed to open the door,  it looked just like I remembered. I placed her down carefully on the mattress.

Gracie's eyelids fluttered. "Don't leave me." She grabbed my wrist but her grip was limp.

"You're home. Do you need anything?" I asked her looking for anything to cause me concern.

"No," she answered a little more clearly now.

"Okay, I'm gonna sit over there and stay a while. Go back to sleep."

"I don't wanna sleep."

 I shook my head and pulled my hand away. "Sleep is what you need right now."

"Can you give me something and then I promise I'll go to sleep!"

I looked up not sure if I should even ask because I know that twinkle in her eyes said she's up to no good.  "What do you want?"

"A kiss."

It was hard to keep my face blank but I moved down the bed to remove her boots. "That's not happening, you're not sober and maybe a little high."

"Yeah, so, it doesn't change what I want."

"And it's still a no."

"Wait... it can't just be that, it has to be something else?" She suddenly got a new burst of energy and lifted her head off the pillow, pushing to sit up with her eyes now staring at me expectantly.

I put some space between me and the bed. "It doesn't matter why."

"It's because I'm not eighteen, right?"

I sighed out but couldn't help smiling and I also couldn't help concluding that this annoying little woman who doesn't even know she owns my heart was adorable when she's drunk.

"Look," She pointed, looking at me with a mutinous expression. "It's past midnight. Which means I'm officially eighteen! You have no excuse, not really."

A quick side glance told me she was right.

Oh shit.

Time for me to get out of dodge. 

"Please Wyatt, two years is a hella-of-a long time, you gotta give me something."

I shouldn't. This had bad idea written all over it.

And yet I wasn't moving.  In fact I was staring at her lips.  I couldn't stop thinking about how they'll taste, how soft they'd be.

"It's my birthday." Frowning, she pursed her lips. "You can't say no, not on my birthday."

Her face reflected heartbreak and despite all the promises I'd made—kept on making—my resolve crumbled like a cookie dunked too long in milk.

I made it a few paces back toward her bed, the air between us heating with something unspoken. I sat on the edge of her bed and cupped her flushed cheeks, I paused, just for a second. Her eyes snagged mine, wide and uncertain, but she didn't pull back. I dropped my voice low hoping my tone was authoritative enough but it came out more husky. 

"One kiss. That's all. Got it?"

My heart thudded loudly watching her nod, her breath hitching, and I couldn't hold back anymore. I leaned toward her, slow and careful. The moment our lips meet, capturing her breathy moan, everything else fell away. Her lips were soft—softer than I imagined—and they fitted perfectly against mine, like they were made for this, for me.

It's gentle at first, just a brush of warmth, but then I angled my head to get closer, and she followed, lips parting ever so slightly. The sweetness of her mixed with alcohol made my chest tighten, made me want to forget what I said... just one kiss.  

Her inexperience was clear—this was her first kiss, I knew that—but there's something raw and beautiful in how she responded. Every slight movement of her lips was cautious, tentative, but it's like she's learning, and I was the one showing her how.

Cue inconvenient erection. 

And didn't that have my head and my heart goin' crazy—crazier. 

Yeah, I was going to hell alright.

And then things changed up.

Gracie's hands snaked up my arms and around my neck. Her fingers sank into my hair and I almost groaned out loud.  I didn't know where she learned to do that, play with my hair like that and rake her nails up and down my scalp but Christ, it relaxed me and made me harder at the same time.

You've had enough. Tasted enough. Stop this before it goes to far and you can't leave.

I pulled away, just barely, enough to breathe the same air and to feel the tremble of her breath against my skin. "Please stay, at least until the mornin'," she begged.

"Okay. I'll stay." I got up from the bed walking toward the chair. 

"Promise?"

"Uh-huh," I grunted.

She patted her bed. "You don't have to sit all the way over there, lie here on the bed with me, it will be more comfortable." 

Yeah Right.  That shit wasn't happening.  

I sat my ass down. "No. I will be just fine here. Now sleep just like you promised."

She settled back down and shockingly did as I asked and I stayed another two hours with guilt eating away at me before I crept out breaking my promise to be there when she woke up.