Her throat bobbed on a swallow and a shadow crossed her face.“No.I locked the door—I’m sure of it.”A beat passed.“Someone was here.I can feel it.”She lifted her fingers to the crystal that lay between her breasts.“I can feelhim.”
“If you locked the door then he picked it.Whoever it is has to be someone with the correct tools to unlock a deadbolt.”
“He’s been planning this...”
He pulled her to his chest, and her face nestled against his sternum.Rubbing his fingers through the silky strands at the back of her head, he kissed her temple.
He’d find the bastard if it killed him.
***
McKenna’s hand shookas she lit the seventh candle, sending a flicker of light over the wall.She had to get her shit together.Had to push away the fear that scampered up her throat.If she fell apart, she’d be of no use to anyone, let alone Jaxon.She swept her gaze to the wall of his back as he worked at building the fire.He’d stripped out of his pants again—she really needed to find her grandpa’s old pair of snowshoes for him to borrow—and only the long-sleeved shirt and briefs covered his body.With the heat from the fire, it wouldn’t take long for his pants to dry.
He glanced over his shoulder.“Did you notice anything?”Jaxon’s sharp question brought her attention to his face.
Slowly, she shook her head.She’d taken the flashlight from Jaxon and scoured every inch of the cabin in search of anything that could be missing.Everything was in place, not so much as a dust bunny overturned.And that was more unnerving than being robbed.The intruder hadn’t entered in search of something.He’d known she was outside, that defenses were down, and he’d entered her cabin—her home—to scare her.And he’d achieved his goal.
He wanted her to know that he could reach her if he wanted.
Jaxon nodded and stood to his full height.The lurker would have to be stupid to try to enter with Jaxon around.
A frenzy of nerves kicked up her pulse, and she turned to the kitchen.Sitting idle wasn’t something she could do.She had to make use of her hands to ease the fight-or-flight mode her body had been operating in since the eerie shit started happening.She moved to the kitchen.
“Hungry?”She turned to face Jaxon, and he strode toward her.The muscles in his thighs activated with every step.His hands hung in loose fists at his sides.Her abdomen clenched as her attention lingered on his briefs.She snapped her gaze to his half smile.The urge to go to him, to seek comfort in the asylum of his arms, was so great she almost catapulted herself at his chest.
She was getting too caught up.Too ensnared.Just because she liked Jaxon more and more by the minute didn’t mean she should let go of reality.When things went back to normal, how would everything pan out between them?At this point, she wasn’t at all opposed to a relationship, or seeing where things went beyond the bedroom, but oh, the town scrutiny.She hated being watched and mocked, especially by the clients who sought her help one day then talked smack the next.And if one more person accused her of putting a man under a spell, she’d go apeshit.
Jaxon stopped a few inches away.His proximity beat across the short distance in waves, and the scent of woods and musk hit her face.She curled her toes into the smooth wood at her feet.Clearing her throat, she opened the fridge and shone the flashlight inside.
“How does a hummus sandwich sound?Sorry, no meat.”She flashed him a smile.
He rested his arm on the fridge and glanced inside.Humor laced his lips.The dimple in his chin deepened.“Hummus sandwich?Sure.”
“I’ve got walnut taco meat too, if you need something heartier.”
His smirk became a full-fledged grin.Her stomach flipped over.God, he had a nice smile.One she could stare at all day, fall asleep to every night, and kiss every morning.
“Now that I have to try.”
She chuckled, passed him the flashlight, and pulled the fixings out of the fridge.Moving to the table, she set out hummus, walnut taco meat, mayo, microgreens, and chopped-up avocado, tomato, and onions.
Jaxon pulled out a chair as she peeled four slices of bread from the loaf.With him holding the flashlight over the table, she laid the layers of their dinner.She passed Jaxon a plate then took the seat next to him and lifted her sandwich.
As Jaxon dug in, a shimmy of uncertainty hit her.She was being ridiculous.He was a guest in her house and if he didn’t like what she had to eat, too bad.But some part, deep inside, wanted to please him.It was gratifying to satisfy another human’s hunger.She’d always loved to entertain.Sharing a meal was the one thing she missed about living close to Livy in the city, and one thing she, Desiree, and Josie did often—but they rarely ventured outside their tight circle, wanting to avoid judgment from the already hesitant townspeople.
“Holy shit,” he said.He took another bite, and his eyes closed for a beat as he chewed.“That’s good.How the hell did you get the walnuts to taste like that?”
She chuckled, but amusement settled the bubbling in her stomach.She took her first bite.The creamy avocado mixed with the flavors of the walnut meat and the homemade garlicy mayo erupted on her tongue.
She wiped her mouth on a napkin.“Lots of spices.”
He chomped through the sandwich as though it were no more than a stack of crackers.“Can I make another one?”
She grinned.“Go for it.This stuff is just going to go bad if it doesn’t get eaten.I think we got to the fridge at the right time.”
“I’m curious,” he began, as he piled the toppings on a slice of bread.“You’re different from everyone here.Do you ever feel left out?”
She took another bite and shrugged.“Not really.I mean, I’m happy here.There’s nowhere else I’d rather live.And if the people of Whistlemore knew more about thewitchesin their backcountry, they’d probably be a lot less uncertain of me.”
