That I want to know more about her scares me as much as her secrets seem to scare her. My usual hookups are just that—transactions that last a few nights at most, with no emotions left over at the end. But with Lanie…
I frown, reaching for her to tip her face back to me, but Winnie rumbles about in the house, her footsteps nearing. As much as I appreciate her introduction to her friend, I don’t want my sister in my life choices at this moment. I keep my hands to myself, forcing my mind to stay with the conversation.
“The wolves are harmless enough, to be fair. I rarely lose stock, unless it’s a bad winter.” We haven’t had one of those in years, thankfully.
Lanie holds my gaze. “I thought I might go back to Valiant Peak and find out what’s going on.”
“Do you want a guide?” The words are out of my mouth before I can retract them. Not that I have any intention of taking the offer back.
I brush my fingertips over her shoulder, giving in to the need to touch her that obliterates everything else. A shiver wracks her fine frame at the contact. Her lips part, fingers flexing on her thighs. Touching her is fast becoming an addiction, one I don’t want to break. Something about her shatters the walls I’ve spent years erecting between myself and the world.
“Winnie said you’re fairly withdrawn out there,” she says, hesitant.
“She’s not wrong,” I bite out, waiting for her to shy away and curse the truth that only Winnie can tell so damn bluntly.
Lanie doesn’t react anything like I expect. “I’d love company.” She looks down at her hands where they twist into a knot.
“Good. Tomorrow?” The words come out too fast.
An image of Lanie stretched across my bed, half covered by a white sheet, her luxurious red hair spread over my pillows, fills my mind.Fuck me, this girlis trouble.
And damn if I don’t like it.
“Okay.” The word slips from her like it didn’t have her permission to leave her pretty lips.
Maybe we’re both running with this, but…I like that our interactions are the unplanned sort. Something else new to me. My lips tug upward in a smile I’m not ready for, and I smooth my expression before she notices.
“I’ll meet you in town around eleven?” That should give her plenty of time to get to Valiant Peak without rushing if mornings don’t suit her, or if the headache comes back. I hold out my hand. “Have you got a phone?”
“Uh…” She fumbles in her back pocket and pulls out the most ancient device I’ve ever seen, considering I’m a self-confessed technophobe.
I take it from her.
“What are you doing?”
I call my phone and save my number in her contacts, and then I hand it back and save hers in mine. “This way I can’t lose you.”
She laughs. “Stalker.”
“On my best days.” I stand. She rises with me, her fingers grazing my arm. I hold back every damn urge to wrap my arms around her, lower my mouth to hers, and find out what she tastes like if she kisses me back.
Tomorrow.The restraints can come off then.
“Thank you, Cord.”
“No problem. I’ll see you soon.” I hold her bright gaze for a long moment more.
Winnie breaks the spell, pulling on her jacket as she rushes through the house, collecting things.
“Do you need a lift?” I call.
“Nah, I’m good.” She trots back through the living area, shoving her boots on with one hand. “I’ll see you later tonight,” she yells.
Lanie laughs. “Just like her daughter.”
“You got that right.”
Her pink lips curve in a shy smile that sends a blow straight to my chest. I drink Lanie in one last time before I turn and head out the door. She closes it after me, but I wait until the lock clicks before heading down the short flight of steps toward my Mercedes AMG G63, the custom red six-wheeler that’s out of place among the other cars parked in front of the neat row of identical townhouses.
