I just never considered the possibility that alongside the urge to gouge his eyes out, there’d be this other fire. One that was blazing between my thighs. One that made me want to feel his mouth on me everywhere. One that was hotter than anything I’ve ever experienced.
But it’s Denver. This is his job.I’mhis job. Everything about us being here together is all because he’s paid to protect me. Once we find out who trashed Lenny and why Neil is in New York, things will go back to normal. Denver will be back being my father’s right-hand man and I’ll barely see him. I doubt we’lleven speak. He’ll have no reason to talk to me again, just like he didn’t before this all started.
I don’t know if it’s relief or disappointment that makes my stomach twist at the thought.
I take a deep breath and head to my room, needing space. There’s not even any Wi-Fi here. I can’t use my phone to call Zoey and get her take on what just happened. I have no one to talk to here. Monty listens, but he can’t give me advice.
There’s no other human being for miles.
Except the man I swore would be the worst person to be stuck with. The man whose touch just sent my brain into freefall.
Denver.
“Morning,” I say breezily as Denver walks into the kitchen.
He frowns, looking surprised to see me.
“What? I like to get up early sometimes.”
It’s six-thirty and I slept a grand total of one hour. The rest of the night, I lay awake replaying our training session in my head. Monty stayed awake with me, knowing I was unsettled. He always knows when something’s wrong. He’s back asleep on his favorite rug in front of the fireplace now, making up for lost sleep.
I lift a fresh mug of coffee from the side and hand it to Denver.
“Thanks.” He takes it, his eyes dropping over my workout gear before his frown deepens.
He’s not in his shorts and vest like he usually is first thing in the morning. Instead, he’s wearing khaki cargo pants and a blackT-shirt, his hair still damp from his shower. He smells fresh, with hints of herbs and mint, the way he did when he showered at my apartment after sleeping in my hallway.
Disappointment pulls at my stomach. He’s obviously in no rush to train together again. Regardless of yesterday, I still want his help. I didn’t know how much better fighting physically with him would make me feel about returning to the city. But it does. Monty needs me to be able to fend off anyone who might try to take him again. Denver won’t be with me forever. Even when this is all done, there’s always going to be a risk that I might need to defend us by myself.
“So, what’s the plan for today?” I ask, lifting my mug and blowing steam off the top of it, trying the cheery approach to break through Denver’s sour mood.
His brows pinch as he looks at me. “I told Buck I’d drop him off some firewood this afternoon.”
“Oh, great. I said I’d take some of Monty’s clothes for his cat.”
Denver stays silent.
“What about this morning, then?”
I sip my coffee, waiting.
He clears his throat. “We could go for a hike.”
I manage to swallow my coffee and not spit it out. A hike sounds like hell. But maybe it’ll loosen him up.
“We’ll stick to a route I know. Monty will like it,” he adds, studying me.
I fake a bright smile. “Okay. Sounds fun,” I lie. “I love hiking.”
An hour later and we’ve been marching at Denver’s pace for so long that my legs are heavy and sluggish. Monty does seem to like it and has been staying at the front of our pack since we set off.
“You okay?” Denver asks over his shoulder.
“Fine,” I reply, avoiding a patch of thick mud.
“We’ll reach a clearing soon. We can take a break,” he says, striding on in his giant boots.
“Sure.”
