He smiled, reaching for the offering. “Thanks.”
Our fingers brushed as I handed him the cup, and even that small contact sent a current through me. I sat on the edge of the bed, watching as he took his first sip, his eyes closing in appreciation.
“So, the roads are open,” he said after a moment, not quite meeting my gaze.
“Yeah.” I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly uncomfortable. “Guess we should head back soon.”
Hayden nodded, still focused on his coffee. “Yeah, I’m sure Dolly’s wondering and worried about us.”
“I texted her yesterday. She knows you’re safe.”
“She’ll still worry.” He glanced up at me then, his blue eyes searching my face. “You okay? You seem... off.”
I forced a smile. “Just tired. Didn’t sleep much.”
“Hmm.” He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push. Instead, he set his coffee on the nightstand and stretched, the sheet falling away to reveal his bare chest. “I should shower before we go.”
I watched him slide out of bed, completely naked and completelyunselfconscious as he padded toward the bathroom. The sight of him, all lean muscle and smooth skin dotted with those freckles I’d come to adore, made my throat tight.
“You coming?” he asked, pausing at the bathroom door with a raised eyebrow.
And just like that, my worries receded, at least temporarily. I grinned, already pulling my shirt over my head as I followed him.
The shower was hot and steamy, Hayden’s wet body pressed against mine as water cascaded over us both. We took our time washing each other, hands lingering on skin, kisses traded lazily under the spray. It felt domestic in a way that should have terrified me but instead just felt right.
“You sure everything’s okay?” Hayden asked again, his hands working shampoo through my hair. “You’ve got that look.”
“What look?” I asked, eyes closed as his fingers massaged my scalp.
“That brooding cowboy look. Like you’re carrying the weight of the whole damn ranch on your shoulders.”
I chuckled despite myself. “Just thinking.”
“About?” His hands slid down to my shoulders, thumbs working at the knots there.
I hesitated, not ready to lay all my cards on the table. “About how good this feels,” I said instead. It wasn’t a lie, just not the whole truth.
Hayden seemed to accept that answer. He pressed a kiss to my shoulder, right where a small scar marked my skin from a barbed wire accident years ago. “It does feel good,” he agreed softly.
We finished showering, dried off, and started packing up our few belongings. The room looked almost untouched except for the rumpled sheets and the half-empty champagne bottle on the table. Evidence of our brief escape from reality.
“Should we get breakfast before we head out?” I asked, watching as Hayden carefully folded his clothes.
“Nah, I’d rather get back. I’m sure Dolly’s got something cookingat the diner.” He looked up at me with a small smile. “And her food is better than anything we’ll find here.”
“Can’t argue with that.” I zipped up my bag and glanced around the room one last time. “Ready to go?”
Hayden nodded, though something in his expression seemed hesitant. “Yeah, I’m ready.”
“We’ve just got one last stop to make on the way out of town,” I added quickly. “Lucas texted me this morning.”
“Need my help?” he offered.
I just smiled, dropping my cowboy hat onto his head where it belonged. “I think I’ve got this one, Freckles.”
Chapter 18
Hayden
