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“I know a great place up in the mountains I could take you.”

Okay, sure.

“Real remote …”

Before I can stop myself, I stand, the metal chair screeching across the linoleum. I walk down the table, taking the empty seat beside Graham. He looks startled, and Addison looks angry—per usual.

“I see you’ve met the boss’s cousin,” I say pointedly.

Graham nods. “Yeah, we were just chatting.”

“Well, she should probably head back to her cabin. It’s been a long day for her.” My gaze drops down to his empty bowl. “And I see you’re finished with dinner.”

Graham purses his lips, nodding curtly. “Yeah. Okay.” He glances at Addison, shooting her a quick smile. “Nice to meet you, Addison.” He stands, grabbing his empty bowl and heading toward the bussing rack.

There’s a moment of silence and then, “What the hell is wrong with you?”

I shrug a shoulder, meeting her smoldering gaze. “Didn’t like the idea of you andCasanova up in the woods alone.” Not that the guy is a predator or anything, but Graham will flirt with pretty much anything that breathes. Addison isn’t special. At least in his eyes.

“Oh, so your duties involve cock-blocking now too?”

“I don’t think Tate would disapprove of that,” I say honestly.

“Tate isn’t my father.”

“No,” I say slowly. “But if he were, he’d probably thank me.”

She lets out a short laugh, and I can’t help but notice how different it was from her earlier laughter. Sharp, tight, condescending. “Right. Because you’re the official Welcome Committeeandmoral police.”

“Just making sure the city girl doesn’t get herself into a mess she can’t handle.”

Her eyes narrow. “I can handle myself just fine.”

“Sure you can,” I say.

Her lips press together like she’s trying to decide if I’m worth arguing with. And for a split second, I prayto God that I am. “You know, for someone who claims not to care, you’re awfully interested in where I go,” she says, her voice low.

I glance away, pretending to watch the line of newcomers entering the mess hall. “Just doing my job, Princess.”

“Uh-huh,” she says, but the word drips with disbelief. She stands, snatching her still-full mug of tea from the table so hard that the liquid almost sloshes over the sides.

“Careful,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “Wouldn’t want you spilling that all over your designer jeans.”

Her head snaps toward me, eyes flashing, the kind of look meant to set a man on fire—or in my case, burn me down to ashes. “Fuck off,” she mutters.

She pivots on her heel, strides toward the door, and pushes it open so hard it bangs against the wall.

I watch her go, telling myself that shutting down Graham was forherown good. It wouldbe bad for her to get tangled up with someone who works here—much less the town playboy. It has nothing to do with the fire in her eyes when she looks at me. The way my heart beats faster when she enters a room.

No. It has nothing to do with meat all.

Chapter 7

Addison

I have half a mind to seek Graham out on my own accord, just to piss Cruz off. Doesn’t matter that I didn’t exactly feel much of a spark. Nope. Just the look on Cruz’s face would be worth it.

But as the days wear on, the idea becomes less and less appealing. I’m not about to go chasing down some man just to prove a point to some other man. I shouldn’t be thinking about men at all.