Ferns and palm branches slap me in the face as I run. And that’s fair. If anyone is going to punish me for being an absolute moron and following my pussy instead of my brain, why notMother Nature? Granted, it’s her fault I’m in this situation. Hormones will make a bitch do crazy things.
I dare to glance behind me, but I wish I hadn’t. It’s like a horror movie. He moves at a walking pace, yet he remains hot on my heels. Damn my short legs! Damn them to absolute hell!
I kick off the heels and pick up speed. When I glance back again, I no longer see him. That doesn’t mean he isn’t watching, though, so I keep running. Only once I get a stitch in my side do I stop and tuck myself in the foliage so that I can catch my breath.
Seconds later, a gloved hand clamps over my mouth and silences my scream.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Aven
The tiny purse buzzes at the girl’s side, but she’s too panicked to feel it. I clutch her squirming body against mine and try to think of a way to show her it’smewithout showing her it’sme. I pull the phone from my pocket and shove it into her face.
Her green eyes widen, then focus. She relaxes against me.
I grip her tighter, asking if she’s good now, and she nods. I let her go.
Without missing a beat, she starts pummeling my chest with her wee fists. She’s so cute when she’s mad.
“I thought you were my stalker! I thought you were trying to warn me that he was after me!”
I shake my head and type out another text.
I’m going to chase you like one of those men in your books.
Seconds pass before the phone buzzes in her hand. Jim’s rigged cell service is far from reliable, and the shitty signal takes ages longer than it should to reach her device.
Realization dawns as she reads it, and she smacks her forehead. “Oh my gosh. You were just trying to help me fulfill a fantasy.”
I nod enthusiastically, and the black hockey mask nearly slides off my head.
“What happened to the signature green?”
I type another reply.
I did the best I could with what I had on hand.
Quinn circles me, appraising me from every angle, and I’m melting under her scrutiny. Does she notice anything that reminds her ofAven? You know, the person I actually am? But she doesn’t seem to make the connection as she stops in front of me.
“I mean, I’m not complaining. We just might have to change your name.” She sighs. “Then again, after tonight, you may not see me again. Come have a seat on the bench. We need to talk.”
She’s about to break up with me so that she can be with me. How fucked is this? I should just stop everything right now and tell her the truth. Then she can be with me without any guilt.
Or she could decide you’re a piece of shit, and then you’ll never see her again.
Aye, there’s that.
Fuck, this is why I don’t do lies and secrets. It’s too fucking complicated.
I join her on the bench, but I don’t take her hands in mine. The lass needs my strength, but that’s an Aven thing to do, and I don’t want to confuse her more than I have. Without anything to do, her hands begin fidgeting with her dress. It’s killing me.
“I really like spending time with you,” she begins. “Well, fucking you.”
I almost laugh, but I bite my tongue.
“It’s just not enough, though. I don’t even know what you look like, and while I don’t care, it’s still hard to imagine things with you when I can’t imagine you.”
I respond via text.
