“People talk. You know that. Pretty much all they do in sleepy little towns like this.” I shrug.
“Hunkering down with the Blackthorn heiress?” He shakes his head in a short, sharp motion. “What bullshit.”
I try not to be hurt.
It makes sense that he’s angry being ambushed, watching his not-so-peaceful family vacation go up in smoke. What little was left of it thanks to me.
It also makes sense that he feels he can talk about it openly.
“I never meant for this to happen,” he says raggedly, looking back at me. Every inch of his body is taut. “Never meant to drag you into this.”
“Seriously, stop. If we start pointing fingers over who’s more newsworthy, we’ll be here all night.” This time, I head for him,placing my hands on his chest and looking up into his face. His heart drums too fast. “It’sfine, Kane. Worse things have happened. I’ve lived through far uglier whispers, and I bet you have too.”
“That’s not the point.” His hand finds the back of my arm, but his grip feels loose. “I hate that it ruined our time here. Almost as bad as that prowler.”
“It hasn’t ruined anything. Not yet.”
He exhales roughly.
“And fuck—all the rumors around me could smear you, too. You’ve got a life and a career.”
“What rumors? That we’re dating?” I smile unevenly. “And we’ll worry about my career when my designs give me one.”
Still, I’m so confused.
“Goddammit.” His eyes glaze as he stares into space over my head. “We never should’ve come here.”
Ouch.
My heart shatters like a frozen ball of ice.
“Now you’re being ridiculous.” I reach up and pat his cheek. “Look at me. Look at you. We’re cool. We’re not at anyone’s mercy besides ourselves.”
He shakes his head severely.
“I can’t have my shit affecting you.”
“How am I affected, Kane? Am I missing a limb?” I reach up, fingers tangling in his scruff until he looks at me. “Dude. I’m more resilient than you give me credit for. This isn’t the end of the world. We’ll just keep a low profile until it’s time to go.”
“Time to go,” he repeats bitterly. His fingers fold around my wrist and he slowly pushes my hand away. “You make it sound so simple.”
I don’t like the bite in his voice.
“Itissimple. The only thing this crap ruined is having lunch at the diner. We just need to be careful hopping around town. Here, we’re safe.”
He levels a look that reminds me howunsafewe might be in this house.
Me and my stupid mouth.
But finally, his lips curl, though his smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “I should’ve been more careful.”
“Stop that. No more blaming yourself. This is what fame is, and I’m sure the kids know it. We got them out of there ASAP. Plus, you set the cameras up, so it’s not like any ballsy reporters will show up creeping around the house.”
Too optimistic, maybe.
Some people definitely could trespass for a big story or a few candid photos, but I’m hoping we’re not worth the risk.
His eyes harden.
