“What’s the gossip?” Millie asked quickly.
“There was a fight down at Snarky’s Bar about two weeks ago,” JT said. “The town was buzzing about it, apparently.”
“I guess we start there,” Scott said.
Lila placed her napkin, folded neatly, on her plate. “Thank you for dinner. You’re a phenomenal cook.” She stood.
JT instantly stood as well. “I’ll walk you to your cabin.”
“No, thanks. I’m good.” Lila smiled at Millie and walked to open the door.
“Too bad,” he said, following her out the door.
Scott looked at Millie. “That was interesting.”
“I would say so.” Millie stared at the still open door. “JT doesn’t trust anybody, and he’s overprotective when it comes to Aunt Mae.”
As if on cue, JT poked his head back in the door. “Hey, I need you to cover the 5:00 a.m. guide tomorrow. It’s only for three hours.”
She blinked. “Sure. Why?”
“I have something to do.” With that, he winked, shut the door, and disappeared.
“Your brother’s an interesting fellow,” Scott said.
Millie stood to start the dishes, surprised when Scott followed to assist. “I always thought you had a bunch of servants or something.”
“No. My mother had a bit of a trust fund, but she was a stickler for hard work.” His obvious fondness for his mother softened his words.
“That’s sweet.” Millie dropped a glass in the soapy water and sighed, reaching around for it.
Scott finished drying a plate. “Let me.” He reached in and the bubbles covered his sinewed forearms. “This sink is deeper than most bathtubs.”
Their hands met beneath the warm water, and fire zinged through Millie. “Um.” She looked up to find him staring down at her, his eyes a glittering cobalt.
He moved then, ducking his head, his lips taking hers.
She sighed, leaning into him, stretching onto her toes. The running water faded to a hum as desire roared through her, pounding in her veins.
He cupped her jaw, his callused fingers rough on her skin, only adding to the multitude of sensations rippling through her. The man tasted of fine wine and impossible promise, and every inch of him was rock hard against her.
An engine started in the distance and she jolted.
Slowly, he opened his eyes and lifted his head, allowing his thumb one smooth swipe across her lips.
She shivered and drew back, only then realizing they were holding hands beneath the soapy water. Her mouth went dry and she hurriedly pulled free.
“I’m sorry.” He tugged the glass out of the water and placed it on the counter, a muscle ticking along his neck. “I shouldn’t have.”
The best kiss of her life ended in an apology? She turned and dried the glass, her body wide awake with firing nerves. Oh, he was probably right that they didn’t make sense and the timing sucked.
But that kiss. Oh, she’d dream about that.
Chapter Nine
Water pummeled Scott down to the jagged rocks at the bottom of the cave. He tried to move but couldn’t. Excruciating pain tore up his legs to his abdomen, ripping through his skin, digging deep near his heart.
Gasping, he sat straight up in the bed, panting furiously, searching for his weapon. Sweat rolled down his forehead to drop onto the tangled sheets. Fuck, he hated the nightmares. He’d also left his gun in the Bentley. What had he been thinking?
